Idaho is one of the most staunchly Republican states in the US, having not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Donald Trump won an overwhelming majority of the state's 44 counties in the last election, and public protests by Republicans have been relatively low due to the supermajority of Republicans in the state. This may be because Republican voters feel that their voices are being heard in the government, so there is less incentive for them to participate in protest policies. On the other hand, Democrats in Idaho have limited political representation, which may motivate them to take part in protest policies. Brian Wampler, professor of public scholarships and participation at Boise State University and professor of Political Science at the School of Public Service, believes that active engagement in politics through protests, contacts with public officials, or donations to political campaigns is essential for citizens to express their voices in a variety of public formats. Research has shown that the wealthiest, oldest and most experienced Idaho residents and those with the most extreme ideologies are more likely to donate to political campaigns, suggesting that they have an additional way of influencing politics that isn't available to younger, lower-income citizens. In order to ensure that all voices are heard in Idaho's political landscape, it is important for citizens to become involved in the political process.
This can be done through attending protests, contacting public officials, or donating to political campaigns. By doing so, citizens can ensure that their voices are heard and that their opinions are taken into account when it comes to making decisions about the future of Idaho.
