Edit: Seniors, Rich Elect Seniors, Rich

In Idaho, the richer you are, the more you count. Likewise, the older you are, the more clout you have. Why? Because that’s who votes in Idaho’s elections. No wonder the people elected to tend to Idaho’s affairs have a blind spot when it comes to children, the poor and education. For years, two trends have worked in tandem: While fewer Idahoans voted, more Republicans got elected. Since 1980, turnout dropped from 69 percent to 57.6 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, Democrats have all but ceased to be a political force in Idaho. The GOP controls all statewide offices, all four congressional seats and 80 percent of the Legislature. Here’s one theory: More of the dropout voters are young, poor and less educated. You could draw that picture courtesy of numbers unearthed by the University of Idaho’s McClure Center and the UI Social Science Research Unit/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Thoughts?