Secretary of State partners with University of Idaho College of Law and Boise State University’s Institute for Advancing American Values
(Boise, Idaho) – Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane announced today the inaugural Idaho Free Speech Summit, a statewide gathering focused on the First Amendment, civil discourse, and the importance of protecting the free exchange of ideas.
The Summit will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Boise and is presented in partnership with the University of Idaho College of Law and Boise State University’s Institute for Advancing American Values. Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who has made civil discourse the focus of his national Disagree Better initiative, will serve as the keynote speaker.
“Free speech is fundamental to our system of government, but protecting it requires more than simply agreeing that it is important,” said Secretary McGrane. “It means listening to people we disagree with, defending their right to speak, and being willing to have difficult conversations. That is what we hope to accomplish with the Idaho Free Speech Summit.”
The Summit will bring together policymakers, legal scholars, elected officials, students, and thought leaders for discussions about free speech, free association, and civic participation. Sessions will explore First Amendment issues ranging from campaign finance and campus free speech to the broader challenges of maintaining civil discourse in an increasingly divided political environment.
Governor Cox will share his perspective on how Americans can disagree without abandoning strongly held beliefs, a theme he explores in his newly released book, Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt.
“We are pleased to be part of a discussion centered on one of our nation’s most important constitutional freedoms,” said Brian Kane, Dean of the University of Idaho College of Law. “The University of Idaho College of Law is a natural partner for this conversation. Law schools should be places where difficult constitutional questions are examined carefully and where people learn how to engage seriously with ideas they may not share.”
The partnership also includes Boise State University’s Institute for Advancing American Values, whose work focuses on the values that have helped shape our country. Among those are the freedoms to speak, listen, disagree, and exchange ideas, principles at the heart of the First Amendment.
“Universities have an important role to play in creating spaces where people can wrestle with difficult questions and hear perspectives different from their own,” said Dr. Andrew Finstuen of Boise State University. “The Summit provides an opportunity to model the kind of thoughtful, constructive dialogue that is essential to a healthy civic culture.”
“Our goal isn’t to bring together people who all agree,” McGrane said. “It is to bring together people who recognize that our constitutional freedoms are strongest when we defend the right of others to speak, listen to one another, and engage in good faith.”
The Idaho Free Speech Summit will feature a full day of presentations and panel discussions, followed by an evening reception. Continuing Legal Education credit will also be available for participating attorneys.
Registration and additional information, including the Summit schedule and speaker lineup, are available at FreeSpeechIdaho.com.