Is the Greater Idaho movement a political fever dream—or a legitimate pathway for disempowered rural voters to reclaim their voice?

If you’ve never heard of it, the proposal suggests redrawing Idaho’s borders to include large portions of Eastern Oregon—and possibly parts of Washington and Northern California. The reason? Rural counties fed up with political decisions dictated by liberal urban centers. But how realistic is this bold idea?

Let’s unpack what’s happening on the ground, what legal hurdles exist, and how it’s already influencing relocation trends to North Idaho.

Why Rural Counties Want to Leave Their States

“People in rural Oregon are sick of being ruled by Portland politics,” said one host during the North Idaho Experience podcast. “They don’t feel represented. They don’t feel heard.”

And they’re not alone. Across the Pacific Northwest, farmers, tradesmen, veterans, and long-time residents are finding themselves in cultural and political gridlock. The Greater Idaho proposal has caught fire as a grassroots response to decades of political disenfranchisement.

As of 2024, 13 counties in Oregon have already voted in favor of exploring the move. These include Grant, Crook, Harney, and Jefferson, among others—covering nearly 62% of Oregon’s landmass but just 9% of its population.

“The urban centers need rural areas—but not the other way around,” one speaker argued. “We’d survive just fine. They need our food, our water, and our land.”

The Political Reality of Border Changes

Of course, shifting state borders is easier said than done.

According to Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, any state border change requires:

• Approval from both state legislatures (Idaho and Oregon)
  
  
• Approval from the U.S. Congress
  
  

That’s a high bar—especially given how politically charged the implications are. “If we allowed this kind of political realignment under peacetime,” one host said, “you’d open the floodgates across the U.S. Every rural community that feels misrepresented would want to secede.”

If you’re one of the many families exploring relocation to a more values-aligned area, check out our North Idaho relocation guide. You’ll find everything you need to plan a move that fits your lifestyle—and your ideals.

Could It Actually Happen?

There’s already action on the Idaho side. In 2023, the Idaho legislature passed a resolution to begin formal talks with Oregon. But let’s be honest—the road is long, and the hurdles are steep.

Still, the emotional and cultural momentum behind this movement is hard to ignore. “We’ve seen people take 50% pay cuts just to get their families out of Portland,” the podcast noted. “They’re not moving for weather. They’re moving for political freedom.”

What Would Change?

Here are a few key stats and shifts if Greater Idaho ever became reality:

• Idaho’s population would increase by 21%, adding ~380,000 new residents.
  
  
• Idaho would gain massive tracts of farmland, but not much tax revenue.
  
  
• School districts, healthcare systems, property laws, and law enforcement jurisdictions would all need realignment.
  
  

One of the biggest shifts? Gun laws. Many rural Oregonians say their Second Amendment rights have been steadily eroded by urban-driven legislation. “We’re talking about being forced to insure a gun that’s been in your family 100 years,” one speaker said. “That’s not how we live.”

Is It Just Politics—or a Larger Movement?

The Greater Idaho debate taps into a deeper question: Are states still the best political boundaries for today’s cultural divisions?

“It’s not about geography,” one of the hosts said. “It’s about values. If we could just redraw lines around the communities that share beliefs, people wouldn’t have to uproot their lives.”

Until then, thousands are voting with their feet, moving to places like Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Rathdrum—communities that better align with their worldviews.

If you’re one of them, our Coeur d’Alene area guide is a great place to start.