Fair
Elections Utah
We call
upon Citizens of Utah , the Utah Legislature, and Political Parties in
Utah to protect the Utah Neighborhood Election, Caucus and
Convention Candidate Nomination Process.
We have a system that that does NOT favor the incumbent, the wealthy or
the famous. This is a good thing, and should be preserved.
The Neighborhood Election and Convention system in Utah is the best way
to make sure a grassroots process can win over large amounts of money.
It is the only way someone with $100,000 can go against someone with $2
million in election funds.
We want neighbors discussing the best candidates and finding ways to
improve this state and the nation. If the system is changed, we would
be dropping off votes, but not meeting and discussing candidates and
issues. That is what is wrong with Washington, D.C. They don’t listen
to each other in a meeting. They watch from their offices. We need to
change that, not perpetuate it.
We already have a "bypass" system, filing as an unaffiliated candidate.
A candidate can go straight to the general election ballot. Someone who
doesn't think they can win if vetted by average citizens asking one on
one questions can still run and spend their money. Why should they be a
political party nominee if they are going to bypass their political
party?
At only one time for 10 years in Utah’s history did the state depart
from the Neighborhood Election, Caucus and Convention System. In 1937,
a powerful democratic state senator convinced enough of the legislature
to switch to an open primary. He had had two losses, a US Senate race
and also for governor, because the majority of the convention delegates
disagreed with his legislative voting record. But he was well known and
had money.
Many at the time felt like an open primary was his ticket to the
governorship, and he did win. But the change in the system only lasted
for a decade. After public and media disillusionment, and even worse
voter turnout, Utah restored the Caucus and Convention System. Why go
back?
Our current problem with voter turnout is it has not kept up with the
population increases. The voter turnout keeps going up but not as fast
as the population. Some of that is the younger voters, where Utah has a
larger percentage of them and they aren't, as a group, as involved. We
need to educate those moving in and not understanding our system.
Many citizens who attend their neighborhood elections and caucus
meeting become interested in politics and get involved in their
communities, the state and the nation. They meet and help candidates
become elected. Some then later become candidates. This should be
encouraged through education.
The system and the experience attending the meetings can always be
improved, but the “Count My Vote” initiative isn't the way to do it.
Any changes to the system the political parties use to determine their
nominees should be determined by the political parties.
Fair
Elections Utah. Help us fight the
"Count My Vote", or "Buy My Vote" initiative.
