(KCPW News) A new initiative is asking Utahns to reevaluate the caucus system used by both Republicans and Democrats in the state to nominate candidates for political office. KCPW reporter Roger McDonough took a closer look and filed this report.
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3 Comments
It appears the Count My Vote / Buy My Vote Group has decided their idea of bypassing the caucus / convention system was a bad idea.
I agree.
Now they want to ruin our primary system. If you change the way our Utah primary’s work as they are proposing, you could have two republicans in the general election ballot (or two democrats).
Much of the state there will just be republicans and part of Salt Lake County, just democratic candidates on the General Election ballot. And this is a good idea?
They are going to poll everyone to see which bad idea we like. What do you bet they just poll 400 of us and call it good. How about running changes past the parties or at least the legislature? The states that are ruled by polls typically are ruled by Debt.
If the voters figure this out, none will sign on to this idea.
We have a system that that does NOT favor the incumbent, wealthy or famous. This is a good thing.
Keep Fair Elections in Utah. Our Caucus and Conventions system.
One of the principles of those wanting to gut the neighborhood election caucus meeting and convention system we have in Utah, was this: ” A system that provides inherent advantages to those who are incumbent, wealthy or famous is not acceptable.”
The problem is their proposals would do exactly that.
The Caucus System in Utah is the best way to make sure grass roots movements can work over large amounts of money. It is the only way someone with $100,000 can go against someone with $2,000,000 in election funds.
There were about 120,000 republicans in Utah that went to the neighborhood caucus elections in 2012 to elect the 4000 State Delegates. Add to those numbers the democrats and the primary elections. Certainly the municipal elections didn’t do any better in voter representation.
Bypassing the Caucus / Convention System will NOT create more participation. There are 4000 state delegates that spend countless hours vetting candidates to be on the ballot. They are selected by those that attend the neighborhood election caucus meeting. You just have to attend.
The current system does not protect the incumbent, wealthy or famous. I think that is a good thing.
Roger McDonough,
Thanks for working to be fair in your coverage.