After much delay and a roll call, the Idaho Republican Party has voted against suspending its rules to allow the platform committee report to be considered. The roll call showed 272 in favor of suspending the rules, and 214 against, failing to meet the required two-thirds. “The vote of the body is against suspending rules – the platform committee did not conduct any business at this convention,” Chairman Steve Yates announced. There was a sudden silence. “The will of the body,” he said.

Delegate Evalyn Bennett rose to object, saying she thought copies of the proposed platform changes that were distributed didn’t match the committee’s action. However, the convention already had voted against taking it up.

“I am bound by the rules,” Yates said. “The body voted not to take up that item of business. We thank the platform committee for their service.”

This means the Idaho Republican Party’s platform will remain unchanged – as it has since 2012.

When one delegate asked if he could move to reconsider, Yates said, “We do not reconsider business that’s already been concluded by legitimate vote in the convention.”

Now, there's debate on whether a separate motion could be made later to suspend the rules and consider the platform committee report, after everyone gets updated copies of the proposed changes; or whether there could be an appeal of the chairman's decision.

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