MADRAS, OR -- The push to move Oregon’s border focuses on better representation in state government. 

“We're not going away. We're just going to keep knocking on the door. We're gaining. We've got a couple of representatives on our side. Now, we've got Senator Linthicum on our side,” Greater Idaho Movement leader Mike McCarter told Jefferson County Commissioners Wednesday the goal is to add to the 12 counties already asking leaders to consider changing states, “Then maybe it'll send a bigger voice to the Oregon legislature that you have a huge problem between your urban and rural folks and something needs to be done about it.”

He said Crook County held a rally this week to get out the vote on a Greater Idaho measure on May’s ballot, “The only counties that we haven't got up on the vote cycle yet is Umatilla and Gilliam in the east. We're looking down the road towards those.” Some Western Oregon counties have also offered support, “How do you get Columbia County into this? You know, because they're on the other side of Portland, but they hate Portland as much as we do,” McCarter added Columbia would not be eligible to join Idaho but can show support.

McCarter told commissioners at the public meeting in Madras he thinks efforts are succeeding, “Because we think we have sent a big enough voice or message to the Oregon legislature that you got a problem. How are you going to solve it? And maybe, just, maybe greater Idaho is not the answer. But what is the answer?”

Jefferson County voters passed a measure in 2020 requiring Commissioners to hold semi-annual meetings on moving Oregon’s border. 

The next is in August.