Gary Allen, attorney for independent voters who are appealing the federal court decision overturning Idaho's current primary system, told the House State Affairs Committee this morning, "My clients are concerned with the requirement for mandatory registration for two reasons: First, it requires public disclosure of a voter's party preference. This is a break with 100 years of history in the state of Idaho - never before has a voter in the state of Idaho had to declare a party preference." He said that's an "unnecessary intrusion" into his clients' privacy. "Frankly, our clients don't want to do it," he said. "Second, there's a significant cost associated with ... registration. This is also unnecessary. ... I find it hard to believe that administering partisan registration is more important than funding our schools or medical care for the needy."

Allen said there are plenty of other options for complying with the court decision without requiring party registration. Idaho could move to a "top two" primary, like Washington's. Or it could let parties that want to close their process hold conventions or caucuses at their own expense. "We encourage you to adopt an option that allows independent participation," he said. "The Republican primary in Idaho often is the only election that counts."