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Representative of Move Oregon’s Border urges Morrow County to keep border‑talks on the table
Summary
Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon’s Border and Citizens for Greater Idaho, told the Morrow County commissioners that 13 eastern/central Oregon counties have passed similar ballot measures and asked the board to promote local interests to state legislators; commissioners asked clarifying questions but took no formal action.
Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon’s Border and Citizens for Greater Idaho, told the Morrow County Board of Commissioners that Measure 25‑88 is intended to prompt local discussion and to urge state legislators to address perceived differences between eastern and western Oregon.
“I’m the president of Move Oregon's Border and Citizens for Greater Idaho,” McCarter said. “Measure 25‑88 for Morrow County basically is promoting the interest of Morrow County in any negotiations regarding the relocation of the Oregon‑Idaho state border.” He said a similar set of measures has passed in multiple eastern and central Oregon counties and that his group’s outreach is grassroots.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the measure’s scope, including whether it instructs the board to hold a discussion only or to take substantive negotiating steps. McCarter said the measure directs the county to promote local interests and to open discussion, not to effect an immediate transfer of territory. Several commissioners cautioned the public about conflating a local advisory vote with formal secession and said any legislative or legal steps would require state‑level action.
No formal action was taken after the presentation. Commissioners thanked McCarter and confirmed they would make time for a future in‑person presentation if he wished to provide more detail.
