Reclaim Idaho launches ballot initiative in Sandpoint this weekend

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff Writer

Local grassroots political movement Reclaim Idaho is going back to its roots this weekend with a number of events in Sandpoint.

The return to North Idaho will launch their initiative to get Medicaid expansion on the 2018 state ballot.

Luke Mayville speaks to a crowd at Farmin Park before embarking on a tour of Idaho spreading the message of Reclaim Idaho. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.

“This will be the biggest and maybe the highest-stakes petition drive in Idaho history, and it is important to us to launch this campaign in Sandpoint, the place where we’re from and where all of our organizing originally began,” said Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville in an email.

There will be a gathering at the Pend Oreille Winery 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. Saturday features two events, with a Sandpoint Community Hall petition signing at 11 a.m. and “raffles and fun” at Pour Authority 5-8 p.m. Bring a friend to the Hope Cafe 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Each gathering promotes Reclaim Idaho’s Medicaid for Idaho campaign.

Mayville said Saturday morning’s event is particularly important, seeing as it’s the official grand kick-off for the entire statewide campaign. Political initiatives in Idaho must gather signatures from six percent of all registered voters statewide and also from six percent of voters in 18 districts.

“If we are going to build the momentum we need to win affordable healthcare for the 78,000 Idahoans who currently live without it, we need a huge turnout on Saturday,” Mayville said. “We urge everyone to come to (the) Community Hall on Saturday at 11 a.m., even if you can only stop by for a few minutes.”