TWIN FALLS, Idaho — A new organization in Idaho’s Magic Valley aims to boost voter participation in local elections, where Republican dominance means primary winners often secure final seats unopposed.

Magic Valley Voter Services outlined its goals at a press conference on Tuesday, focusing on increasing voter turnout, particularly in primary elections.

WATCH: Hear how a new organization is targeting low voter turnout

Magic Valley group targets low voter turnout in Idaho primaries

“The primary and the general [elections] are extremely important for this area,” said Dr. Steven Kohtz, a member of the South Central Medical Society.

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According to official election results from the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office, almost 28% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2024 primary, representing just 19% of the voting-age population.

Kohtz said the best way to get representation that speaks for more Idahoans is to increase participation in these elections.

“If enough people are voting consistently, then our legislators are going to be voting the way that the Magic Valley as a whole would want them to vote,” Kohtz said.

The group aims to energize voters and provide information to help them make informed decisions.

Lisa Hymas, another member of the organization, said the group also wants to hold lawmakers accountable on issues like education.

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“I’ve had two kids graduate from Twin Falls High School. I have two more currently there,” Hymas said. “I am invested in seeing the public schools be a foundational part of the education in the state.”

Hymas expressed concern that legislators are listening more to outside interests than to those of local constituents.

“It does seem like these legislators are just leaning more toward voices that may come from out-of-state interest, and that’s not who’s voting, that’s not who’s living the real consequences of what happens,” Hymas said.

Kohtz noted that fewer local lawmakers have been attending the South Central Medical Society’s, an event that invites lawmakers to an annual dinner to discuss legislative priorities.

“This year in the Twin Falls area, we only had two out of the six legislators take us up on that, and that’s the second year in a row,” Kohtz said.

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The following is a news release from the Idaho State Police.

MERIDIAN, Idaho — January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the Idaho State Police is partnering with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance for the annual Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative. The five-day, nationwide effort begins today and runs through Friday, focusing on awareness of human trafficking across Idaho’s transportation corridors.

Because traffickers frequently rely on highways and commercial transportation routes, education along Idaho’s roadways plays a critical role in identifying victims and preventing further harm. Throughout 2025, ISP Commercial Vehicle Safety specialists received specialized training to better recognize trafficking indicators. This week, those specialists will focus on sharing that knowledge with drivers and members of the community.

“As commercial vehicle enforcement professionals, we see the road from a unique perspective,” Captain Jason Bailey of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division said. “This initiative is designed to equip drivers and carriers with the ability to recognize potential signs of trafficking and to report those concerns. Increased awareness and informed reporting can make a meaningful difference for victims and our communities.”

Human trafficking crimes typically involve an act, a means and a purpose, and may include force, fraud or coercion. Data from the Idaho Office of the Attorney General highlights the challenges in identifying and prosecuting trafficking cases. Between 2020 and 2024, Idaho recorded 39 trafficking-related convictions, seven of which were felonies. During the same period, Uniform Crime Reporting data reflected only two arrests, underscoring the gap between trafficking activity and confirmed criminal cases.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a federally authorized, 24/7 confidential resource for reporting tips and connecting victims with services. In 2024, the hotline received 72 contacts from Idaho, identifying 32 potential trafficking cases involving 49 victims related to both sex and labor trafficking.

Report suspected human trafficking:

• Call: 1-888-373-7888
• Text: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
• Online: humantraffickinghotline.org