Utah Officials Take Action Against Low Voter Turnout

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Many critics expected technical problems to be the main issue in Utah's June primary elections, which used electronic voting machines for the first time. But with what Utah lieutenant governor Gary Herbert says was a zero percent error rate for the new machines, the real problem turned out to be--voter turnout.

"The biggest disappointment for me, as the Chief Elections Officer of the State of Utah, is the absolutely the abysmal turnout that we have for the primary elections," says Herbert. "We have less than 15% statewide, and in Salt Lake County, our biggest county, we have around 6% or 7% voter turnout. That's appalling."

As lieutenant governor, Herbert runs Utah's Elections Office. Herbert says he's working to increase voter turnout for Utah's November general election with an ad campaign, voter education, and by emphasizing early voting options:

"We have petitioned, and are working with our current Legislators, LaVar Christensen and Senator Karen Hale, in trying to put together a significant outreach," Herbert says. "They have actually given us 70 thousand dollars to put that effort together statewide, with the idea of ‘lets get people to participate in the process', particularly train up our young people. We think we can make a difference."

This year the general election will be held November 7. Early voting starts two weeks prior. For more information about voter registration and polling precincts, go to www.elections.utah.gov.

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