Thoughts on the Utah Neighborhood Elections Caucus System

We need to make sure the Utah neighborhood election caucus system is set up so it could be done in 2 hrs. and we get the election results, not just back to the county and state, but to those that missed it so they can still contribute and let their elected delegates and precinct leaders know what they think. The person that got a babysitter for 2 hrs to attend their neighborhood caucus should be able to vote

We need to coordinate with college and university campuses in Utah to make sure students know where a caucus meeting is, and Utah residents can register to attend and participate. Perhaps we should increase the number of locations the neighborhood caucuses are on college and university campuses. We can add another hundred thousand new caucus attendees in 2014.

The most anger I saw at our caucus was there were 4 that walked out after they realized the 6 people running for 2 state delegate spots were all Sen. Hatch Supporters. They weren't the typical, "I will vet the candidates and pick the best one and also listen to your comments" type people. My precinct had been stacked. These 4 people had come for the first time and felt like someone in office for 36 years was already too long. I assured them I wasn't going to be voting for Sen. Hatch as my first or 2nd choice. He was my 3rd choice. It made them feel better.

The current system does work. I spent a year trying to get a candidate elected running against Bob Bennett and we got Mike Lee. He has done better than I expected. He was my 3rd or 4th choice. He was almost eliminated at convention because his campaign team didn't go for the 2nd or 3rd choice vote. Tim Bridgewater did. He knew he wasn't my first choice, but was willing to accept my 2nd choice vote. When my candidate lost, I went with Tim Bridgewater. There was very few Eagar, Bridgewater or Bennett 2nd choice votes that went or would have gone to Mike Lee. That is why Tim Bridgewater received almost 60% of the delegate vote. 

It was during the Primary Election that Mike Lee was selected to be the Republican Party Nominee even though Tim Bridgewater was endorsed by Sen. Bennett. 
 
During a mid term selection for the Utah State House of Representatives, I won against the West Valley City Mayor's mom in West Valley for a special caucus on the 2nd vote. She was ahead on the 1st round. There is no way I would have won against her in a primary. If I had had 8.5 people change their mind per precinct this last year, I would have won against another incumbent that had 30 plus years of West Valley politics and elected offices. It is hard to beat an incumbent. We shouldn't make it harder by raising the primary avoiding threshold to 70% or more.

The 60% primary avoiding threshold has worked well. If we adjust it at all, it should be kept as close to the current number as possible.  Raising it to 2/3 would have created a primary in 2012 for Gary Herbert, and Chris Stewart. It would have made sure Sen. Hatch didn't buy himself out of at Primary. He didn't succeed, even with $5 Million and large bonuses to his paid staff on the line.

Many think rising the threshold could be good, but you have to remember that Jason Chaffetz almost hit 60% when running against Chris Cannon. He still won in the primary election. Since then in Utah, we have had good candidates willing to run against incumbents. That is a good thing. We do not want to destroy that because of a threat by a powerful lobbyist group.

"A system that provides inherent advantages to those who are incumbent, wealthy or famous is not acceptable." One principle we all can support.

http://www.fairelectionsutah.com/

Fred Cox for Utah Republican State Central Committee

Fred C. Cox is a current member of the Utah Republican State Central Committee representing Salt Lake County and is a former member of the Utah House of Representatives.

One of the principles of those wanting to gut the neighborhood election caucus meeting and convention system we have in Utah, is 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.

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 this is a good thing.

We need to make sure the Utah neighborhood election caucus system is set up so it could be done in 2 hrs. and we get the election results, not just back to the county and state, but to those that missed it so they can still contribute and let their elected delegates and precinct leaders know what they think. The person that got a babysitter for 2 hrs to attend their neighborhood caucus should be able to vote

We need to coordinate with college and university campuses in Utah to make sure students know where a caucus meeting is, and Utah residents can register to vote as declared Republicans to attend and participate. We should review and increase the number of locations the neighborhood caucus meetings are held on college and university campuses. We should set a goal to add another hundred thousand new caucus attendees in 2014.

Vote for Fred Cox to fight to improve, but not gut, the neighborhood caucus and convention system.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Utah State House of Representatives, January 2011 through December 2012.

• Utah Republican State Central Committee, 2011 to present.

• Utah Republican State Delegate 2002-2003, 2005-2011.

• Salt Lake County Central Committee, 2010 though 2012.

• Salt Lake County Republican Legislative District Chair, August 2010 to January 2011.

• ChamberWest Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Action Committee, Nov. 2010 to present

• AIA Utah, Government Affairs Committee, January 2008 to January 2011 and January 2013 to present.

• Campaign Volunteer and/or Consultant for the following:

Ron Bigelow, Utah House of Representatives, 1994 to 2010.

Jason Chaffetz, U.S. House of Representatives, Utah 3rd District, May 2008 through 2010.

Kevin Fayles, Candidate for Mayor, West Valley City, UT, 2009.

Dave Hansen, Utah State Republican Party Chair, March 2009 to June 2009.

Cherilyn Eagar, 2010 US Senate Race, May 2009 to May 2010,

Tim Bridgewater, 2010 US Senate Race, May and June 2010.

Morgan Philpot, 2010 U.S. House of Representatives, Utah 2nd District, June 2010 to November 2010.

Daniel W. Thatcher, 2010 Utah State Senate, District 12, August 2010 to November 2010

• Church Based community service

CONTACT INFORMATION:

fred@fredcox4utah.com

http://www.fredcox4utah.com

http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/fredcox4utah                                 http://www.fairelectionsutah.com

http://www.facebook.com/fred.c.cox

http://www.facebook.com/fredcox4utah                    Paid for by Fred C. Cox, Salt Lake County, WVC 060

Problems with 2013 SB 262

The bill 2013 S.B. 262 Employment and Housing Antidiscrimination Amendments , had problems. This lists just a few of them. For more about my general attitude on this subject, see:

http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/05/support-for-traditional-marriage.html

re: 2013 SB 262:

Senator, I wish you had 3 committee meetings to cover some amendments. I think you are heading the correct direction generally, but have some concerns:

I don't like lines 569 to 599. The toilet room situation isn't helped by what is there. To delete those sections primarily, I suggest the following:

For purposes of discrimination, "Gender identity" means an individual's internal sense or belief of gender, without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth.

For purposes of physical employment accommodation, "Gender identity" includes notification by an individual they have undergone or are undergoing physical gender transition.

Both Sexual orientation and Gender identity need to have the word belief or believed added. Some can argue if someone is gay or not, but they should allow the same treatment we require for differences of religious belief. I don't have to agree with another religion. I can still treat their practitioners with respect and not fire them because we disagree in that area.

For purposes of discrimination, "Sexual orientation" means an individual's actual, believed, or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.

It should be 4 or more housing units with exceptions. That isn't clear.

Covered places of residential accommodation include 4 or more units, including 4 single family houses or a four-plex or larger, except owned by or operated by religious organizations, non-profit organizations, or an Affiliate.

It should be companies with 15 or more employees with exceptions.

Covered places of employment include 15 or more employees, except owned by or operated by religious organizations, non-profit organizations, or an Affiliate.

I am not sure Affiliate is the correct term.

It should allow exceptions for the Boy Scouts, BYU, Beehive Clothing, but not KSL TV or Deseret News.

Federal budget cuts sequestration

Having been in a small 4 seat plane coming back from St. George,  flying about 180 MPH and seeing an other small plan flying about the same speed coming the opposite direction, I was glad that we were at different elevations, but not by much. We had no warning, as the plane I was in didn't have a "fish finder", small radar system. I was sitting in the Co-Pilot chair as there were only two of us in the plane. We were surprised that no one from the Air Traffic Tower didn't mention something, but it was very likely that they had noticed we were at different elevations and in our "lanes" and so it shouldn't have been a problem. Without someone in these small towers, who would be warning the small planes there was a problem? We had been warned about someone crossing our path at at a different occasion. Landing and take off at the St. George airport was interesting, as we just announced to anyone that might be listening that we were landing, or taking off and hoped that SkyWest pilots were listening to the correct frequency.We were comforted that someone in Cedar City was listening.

Closing these Air Traffic Towers is about as stupid as DABC (Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control) a few years ago saying they were closing down 40% of their best stores when the legislature had a 7% across the board cut among several agencies, including them. DABC was acting like a small child throwing a media temper tantrum, and temporarily got their way with the Governor working to find them a few extra $ Million.

Lucky for taxpayers that the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, who works for the Legislature later found their stash of $ Millions they had already been squirreling away and other major problems, something that our previous State Auditor's office had missed.

Because Congress has been unwilling to pass a budget since Pres. Obama has been in office, they did agree to some automatic cuts of about 2%. The Feds are acting just like DABC did.

We shouldn't let these small children throwing a media temper tantrum win, We should replace those in charge, just like we did at DABC.

Fair Elections in Utah vs Count My Vote

“Count my Vote” or Buy my Vote?                   
Fred C. Cox, Salt Lake County

One of the principles of those wanting to gut the neighborhood election caucus meeting and convention system we have in Utah, is this:

" A system that provides inherent advantages to those who are incumbent, wealthy or famous is not acceptable." http://utahpolicy.com/view/full_story/21947725/article-Principles-for-an-Acceptable-Nomination-Process

I find this statement amazing, because I agree with it. The proposal to bypass the caucus system and also change the percentage to avoid a primary to 85%/15% will actually create "inherent advantages to those who are incumbent, wealthy or famous". It is designed to do exactly what the supporters of this proposal state are against their principles.

If you are going to run as a democratic candidate, you have to comply with their rules. If you are going to run as a republican, you have to comply with their rules. If you want to run and not have those rules, you can run as an unaffiliated or independent, or run as a 3rd party candidate. This is an attempt to change the party rules by state law, bypassing the party and is even an attempt to change the law bypassing the legislature. That is called being a pirate.

There are 104 members in the Utah State Legislature. It contains both Democratic members and Republican members, liberal, moderate and conservative. It is simply amazing that not one of them were willing to run a bill to do what this group plans to do by a voter initiative. Why? It isn't that all incumbents win under the current system. In fact there were 2 members of the Utah House that lost at convention this last election, a half dozen that lost in a primary election and 2 more than lost in a general election. There were others that decided not to run.

The current system does not protect the incumbent, wealthy or famous. Perhaps that is the problem this group is trying to solve.

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.

Most people who want the caucus system changed, there are exceptions, are frustrated that they don't have as much power as people who show up to the neighborhood election caucus meetings. It doesn't take money; you just have to show up.

Bypassing the Caucus / Convention System will NOT create more participation. Approx. one out of every 4 or 5 republicans attended their neighborhood election caucus meeting this last year. One in every three told a KSL poll they were involved or attending. 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.

When people realize this will give them less of a chance to participate but give media and power brokers more power, they will not sign any initiative. This is a power grab.

It doesn't mean things can't be better, but this isn't the way to do it.


This proposal isn't "Count my Vote" it is “Buy my Vote”, funded like a hostile corporate takeover by DC lobbyists acting like pirates.  

 Don't let them Buy your Vote, Keep the Caucus System.   

Read the State Democratic response:
http:www.fairelectionsutah.com/NewsletterLetterfromtheChairUtahDemocraticParty.pdf


(Print to .pdf of the letter to replace the one updated on April 12, 2013)

None of the 4 main Utah immigration bills signed in 2011 followed the 1st principle of the Utah Compact. 

Contrary to Mr. Shurtleff's public comments, it wasn't a key in what was passed. As a member of the legislature in 2011 and 2012, I received hundreds of emails saying to vote for something that followed the Utah Compact, apparently encouraged by both the Salt Lake Chamber and also the Sutherland Institute.

 Since there were no bills that followed the first principle of the Utah Compact, nor could there be at a state level, It only made me wish the document was never created. I have never signed The Utah Compact.

The local Catholic Bishop didn't come to the signing of the 4 immigration bills in 2011 because, as he stated, they didn't follow the Utah Compact.


http://www.utahcompact.com/read-the-utah-compact

THE UTAH COMPACT

A declaration of five principles to guide Utah’s immigration discussion

FEDERAL SOLUTIONS Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries—not Utah and other countries. We urge Utah’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our national borders. We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigrants in Utah.
LAW ENFORCEMENT  We respect the rule of law and support law enforcement’s professional judgment and discretion. Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code.
FAMILIES  Strong families are the foundation of successful communities. We oppose policies that unnecessarily separate families. We champion policies that support families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Utah children.
ECONOMY  Utah is best served by a free-market philosophy that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity. We acknowledge the economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers. Utah’s immigration policies must reaffirm our global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state.
A FREE SOCIETY  Immigrants are integrated into communities across Utah. We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors. Utah should always be a place that welcomes people of goodwill.


Again, I have never signed The Utah Compact. 

http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2011/05/utah-compact.html

The 2013 Legislative Session Update

My favorite bills that passed are HB 338, Alimony Revisions, HB 36 Storm Water Capture Amendments, HB 262 Unaffiliated Voter Amendments, and HB 215 Water Quality Amendments, all of which I originally pulled the bill requests last year as a Representative, transferred to others and they passed both houses. [update: the Governor signed all 4 bills]

I have to thank the new House sponsors and Senate sponsors  and others for their hard work in my place. HB 338 Alimony was originally SB11, but it didn't pass the Senate Committee. The final version of HB 338, Alimony, received 27 yea votes and no, no votes in the Senate and passed the House by over 2/3. I also need to thank Stan Rasmussen and Sen. Valentine and several interested voters that wrote the legislature with personal stories and reasons for the bill.

I actively fought and spoke to have HB 338 Alimony and HB 36 Storm Water pass and HB 36 was one of the last bills voted on the last night of the session passing both houses with all yea votes. I need to thank Soren Simonsen for helping solve an impasse that blocked passage for over a year.

I also want to point out HB 88, Land Use Amendments, Rep. M. Brown, passed and was signed. It was very similar to, and solved the precise concerns raised in the bill that I had drafted for the 2013 Session that was later abandoned by Rep. S. Cox, partly because of HB 88 being drafted, and Rep. S. Cox deciding he didn't support the bill.

HB 253, Employment Verification Amendments, which I had drafted was heard in committee, but I was not able to get my proposed amendments to the bill drafted after Sen. Bramble pulled his SB 225, Immigration Trigger Dates which extended the 2011 HB 116 guest worker start date.

I am also very glad that HB 310, HB 202 and HB 217 passed keeping our Building, Energy and Fire codes. I worked hard on those as an interested and vocal citizen.

I actively fought the SB 267 New Convention Hotel Development Incentive Act,  which failed by 2 votes. I actively worked to fix SB 120, which defines when the state forester can ban target practicing, which the sponsor agreed to run anyway after putting it on hold. The decision to restart the bill was partly because of my proposed amendments.

I am amazed the HB 268, Rep. Ray's gun bill didn't get voted on in the Senate. I didn't see that coming. I believe that will cause HB 76 Open Carry to be vetoed, and be the reason it won't get the upcoming veto overridden. I had concerns with even the final version of the bill HB 76, but they are greatly increased because HB 268 didn't pass.

I would have tried to kill the smoking in cars with kids bill and the teenager cell phone use bill as I believe the bills, as drafted, overstep private property rights.

I actively fought raising the sales tax on food and a recall election bill.

I congratulate Rep. Fisher for running HB 240, Alcohol Service in Restaurants which passed both houses. It will help solve a problem with enforcement run amok.

Overall, I am happy with the session and thankful for all the hard work that was done.

Disclaimer, I was not paid for any work on any of these bills in 2013, complying with State Law.