To better understand public sentiment, CVI recently commissioned a poll of 1,027 registered Idaho voters, conducted by ChangeResearch with a 3.2% margin of error. The results were striking: 96% agreed that Idaho’s public lands—where people hike, fish, hunt, bike, and camp—should remain public and protected. That includes 95% of Republicans and 97% of Democrats, underscoring one clear message: this is not a partisan issue—it’s an Idaho value.
We launched this poll in response to Utah Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off more than 3 million acres of public land in the West, including Idaho. Idahoans overwhelmingly rejected that idea: 87% opposed the proposal.
These numbers are powerful, but not surprising. We’ve never seen support For two decades, CVI has worked to safeguard public lands for every Idahoan. These lands define who we are—they’re part of our identity, culture, and way of life.
Support is also shifting for elected leaders who defend public lands. After Senator Jim Risch publicly opposed Lee’s proposal, his favorability jumped from 41% to 51% overall—and from 60% to 72% among Republicans.
The message couldn’t be clearer: Idahoans love our public lands, and they want them to stay in public hands. We’ll keep organizing, advocating, and fighting to ensure these lands remain protected for generations to come.
In solidarity,
Alexis Pickering, Executive Director
Read more: Idaho Capital Sun Article