Oregonians in five counties will get the chance to vote on border changes and may join Idaho, CBS 2 reported.
In May, a proposal called "Move Oregon's Border" will be on the ballot for voters to decide on whether southern and eastern Oregon will become part of the Gem State. This plan even addresses adding parts of northern California and western Washington counties, reporters said.
The counties voting on this proposal include Grant, Malhuer, Sherman, Baker and Lake Counties, according to KFLD. This movement, called "Greater Idaho," got enough petitions last year to get approved for circulation in two Oregon counties, landing the measure on the ballot this year.
"Our signatures that we collect for petitions are good for two years," Mike McCarter said, the president of Greater Idaho. "We plan to go county by county with petitions to build grassroots support for the movement."
He told reporters Greater Idaho's plan differs from secession because it only includes a shift in borders and does not interfere with the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, create a new state or increase the number of states in the country.
"We're not trying to change a single thing with Idaho," McCarter said. "We just want to come alongside them and maintain the values."
Even if all the counties vote "yes" to move forward with the proposal, the state legislatures and Congress would have to agree on the ballot.
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