Utah Has Lowest Voter Turnout in Nation

Jul 15, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Only 36-percent of registered voters in Utah showed up at the polls in 2006, giving the state the lowest voter turnout in the nation, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report. Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen says low turnout is typical in off-years, when there isn't a presidential election.

"People are not quite as inclined to vote. I think they don't think they feel as connected to the candidates. Perhaps there isn't as much money spent on media and things that would help them to identify better with the candidates. And they're just not as excited," Swensen says. "When we see our presidential election turnout in Salt Lake County, it is significantly more. "

For instance, during the presidential election in 2004, more than 76-percent of the registered voters in Salt Lake County cast a ballot. In 2006, the number dropped to 46-percent. Registering to vote is only one part of the equation, Swensen says. It is up to voters to educate themselves about the candidates and issues. One way to do this is with the League of Women Voters on-line guide. The league also stocks what it calls a Democracy Store at the Main City Library with information about the upcoming elections.  League co-president Nancy Melling says she often hears Democrats complain their vote doesn't count in one of the reddest states in the nation, but she strongly disagrees.

"Your vote always counts. And the thing is, if you don't vote, then surely, there will never be a change if you believe there should be change," Melling says. "So you really need to get out of the mindset that, ‘my vote never counts,' and get into the mindset that ‘the only way my vote will count is if I actually do vote.'"

Voting in Utah is easier than ever, Swensen says. Since 2006, Utahns can vote early at several locations. Permanent vote by mail or an absentee ballot are also options. However, she says less than 2-percent of the voters took advantage of these alternatives in 2006.

Click here to listen to a podcast interview with Swensesn and Melling about Utah's voter turnout from Monday's Public Square.

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