BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A survey that Idaho Republican leaders say they devised to help voters pick candidates has taken on new significance as primary elections approach — and it's divided the state's dominant political party.

Jonathan Parker, executive director of the state GOP, says the review "gives people the opportunity to find out where the candidates stand."

But critics such as Priest Lake Republican Rep. Eric Anderson say it's an unnecessary "purity test."

"It's silly," Anderson said. He added, "There's always going to be things in life you disagree with."

The survey connected to the Idaho Republican Party platform established at the last state convention asks candidates to pledge their support or list where they disagree with the opinions outlined in the statement of beliefs.

The platform lays out several positions important to tea party supporters thanks to a strong contingent that worked to shape the document in Idaho Falls two years ago.

When delegates created the survey in 2010, it was praised by supporters as a way to help voters learn which candidates really subscribed to conservative principles and vilified by foes as a loyalty oath meant to force Republican moderates out into the open.

Among the planks that make up the platform is a repeal of the 17th Amendment, the constitutional provision that allows voters — not lawmakers — to select U.S. senators. The state GOP principles also call for dumping the Federal Reserve and returning to the gold standard, handing the redistricting process back over to the state Legislature and a recommendation that Idaho simply nullify federal laws that violate state sovereignty.

"I am happy to disclose that I disagree with efforts to repeal the 17th Amendment, adopt the gold standard (I do support auditing the Federal Reserve) and abolish the redistricting commission process," wrote U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson in response to the survey.

Simpson, a seven-term incumbent, is facing Chick Heileson for the second time in the GOP primary. Simpson defeated Heileson decisively last time around.

Heileson agrees almost entirely with the GOP platform — and hopes voters notice it, too.

"Mike Simpson is not in line with the Republican philosophy according to the platform," Heileson said. "There's a stark difference between me and him."

Simpson is not alone among incumbent Republicans who disagree with major provisions in the platform.

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis responded to the survey by listing several points of conflict, including a statement in the document that says "the United States Constitution is greatest and most inspired document ever devised by Man."

"What does that mean? Does this preclude other scriptural writings or religious pronouncements?" Davis asked, as he stated that he agrees that God inspired the Constitution but questioned the rest of the statement.

However some Republican incumbents agree fully. Riggins Rep. Paul Shepherd even called out fellow GOP lawmakers who pay only lip-service to the platform, while voting otherwise.

"We have been very frustrated and still are when we observe many elected Republican officials who consistently vote against issues that the platform is very clear on," Shepherd wrote in his response.

Still other lawmakers indicated they agreed with the entire platform — even though their votes in the Legislature indicate otherwise.

Dover Republican Rep. George Eskridge voted against a bill to nullify the federal health care law in 2011. But his survey doesn't reflect that.

Eskridge said he simply decided not to go into it, on grounds the survey doesn't provide sufficient opportunity to capture nuances of his objections.

"It doesn't do any good to get in discussion, because you've got those extremists who say, 'If you don't agree with me, you're wrong,'" Eskridge said.

Eskridge's primary opponent, tea party activist Pam Stout, has indicated she agrees with the platform.

The survey also has resulted in some angst among lawmakers.

Rep. Maxine Bell initially said she wouldn't sign the survey because it was a litmus test. But she changed her mind, thinking she just didn't want to make a big deal out of it.

"Maybe it was a very cowardly thing of me to do, but it just did not seem to me to be a place to fuss," said Bell, a Jerome Republican who does not face a primary challenge. "What's the point of not filling it out? I'm 99 percent there."

Rod Beck, a former Senate GOP majority leader and the survey's author, indicated he was troubled by lawmakers who filled out their reviews in conflict with their votes.

"I respect a candidate more that actually disagrees on several planks," Beck said, "because I know they've read it and have given it thoughtful consideration."