Two more Oregon counties vote to become part of Idaho

Voters in two more of Oregon's eastern, conservative counties voted on Tuesday to join the red state of Idaho instead. 

Sixty percent of voters in Morrow County and 58 percent of those in Wheeler County voted yes on a 'Greater Idaho' measure that aims to move Oregon's eastern border, so about half the state becomes part of Idaho. 

Residents of these sparsely populated counties are more politically aligned with the Republicans in Idaho than the Democrats who dominate Oregon politics.

Sixty percent of voters in Morrow County and 58 percent of those in Wheeler County voted yes on a ' Greater Idaho ' measure that aims to move Oregon's eastern border, so about half the state becomes part of Idaho

The Greater Idaho organizers argued that the borders make 'no sense' in their current location because 'it doesn't match the location of the cultural divide in Oregon' 

The town of Boardman, Oregon is located in Morrow County, one of the two Oregon counties where a majority of voters  on Tuesday said they wished to join Idaho 

'It makes no sense in its current location because it doesn't match the location of the cultural divide in Oregon,' the Greater Idaho website argued.  

Overall, 11 of the 15 Oregon counties in this region have voted on initiatives indicating they would be open to joining the state next door. 

Organizers have said they've collected enough signatures for a ballot initiative to appear on a ballot in Wallowa County as well. 

Efforts in Crook, Gilliam and Umatilla counties have been stymied, due to county commissioners not agreeing to put an advisory question regarding the issue on the ballot, the website said. 

To change a state's borders, lawmakers in Oregon, Idaho and the U.S. Congress would have to sign off on it. 

Portland's (pictured) high population means Democrats are dominant in Oregon politics. The Greater Idaho movement seeks to move the borders so the conservative half of Oregon becomes part of the red state next door 

Homelessness in Portland has become problematic and the state came close to electing its first Republican governor in 40 years over this issue  

Oregon hosted one of the most closely watched governor's races, as it looked like the state could elect its first Republican executive in 40 years. 

However Republican nominee Christine Drazan, the GOP leader in the state House, fell short in her effort. 

The race was called for Democrat Tina Kotek by the Associated Press Thursday, with 86 percent of the vote counted. 

Another former Democrat, Betsy Johnson, was running as an independent in the three-way race, which made it more likely Drazan could get elected in the traditionally blue state. 

President Joe Biden called and congratulated Kotek for her win on board Air Force One overnight. 

The leader of Greater Idaho, Mike McCarter, expressed displeasure with the result. 

'We call on the Legislature to let each half of the state go their separate ways in peace. If western Oregon doesn't like the risk of being forced to accept the gubernatorial candidate it voted against, then it should simply stop holding our counties captive in this unhappy marriage,' McCarter said. 

'Actually, it's not even as dramatic as a divorce because we're not breaking up a family. Moving a state border is similar to redistricting a utility provider,' he added.