Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa says regardless of how the federal court case (Idaho GOP vs. Ysursa) over Idaho's open primary election system goes, it's getting late to make any changes for this May's primary. "The county clerks and this office are proceeding with status quo like we have to, as far as this next primary," Ysursa said. "Filing is going to open up March 8th. It seems we're coming up against it, on any sort of change that would have to happen." If a federal judge declares Idaho's current system unconstitutional - as the Idaho Republican Party contends - the Legislature still would have to change the system, and they start meeting in January. And there's the possibility of an appeal, whichever way the court rules. Idaho will have a big election year in 2010, with offices ranging from the governor to every seat in the state Legislature on the ballot. Said Ysursa, "People think it's a long ways away - we elected officials do not, that work in it."

Ysursa is an Idaho Republican himself. "I think there's only one thing worse than being sued by your enemies, it's being sued by your friends," he joked. But he added, "Election issues and things of that nature, I get sued by various folks. So it's nothing new - it comes with the job title."