Utah’s Caucus System Works

January 19, 2012

It was disappointing today to hear that Orrin Hatch has decided to attack Utah’s caucus system. It is a system he has embraced for 36 years and the very system that allowed him – with no name recognition and very little money – to run and win in 1976.

This is a repost of a blog I wrote and posted last May.

There have been recent press reports about a potential move to eliminate Utah’s caucus/convention system. I support Utah’s existing caucus/convention system, and will oppose any attempts to alter it. Political parties should be able to choose the process for selecting their party’s nominees for elected office. Utah’s caucus/convention system has served the state very well.

Utah is the best managed state in the nation – that is not by accident. I believe it is because the populace is MORE involved in vetting candidates for public office than other states – and that goes directly back to the caucus/convention system.

Our system allows delegates to be elected who take their role seriously and then get to work to get to know the candidates. By and large they make educated decisions. Party delegates ARE engaged because they know they have an important role in the process. Our elections are about educating voters and winning over the people that live in your neighborhoods – not based on who can pay for the most campaign staff, TV ads, mail pieces or billboards.

Utah’s caucus/convention system allows people like me, without much name recognition or millions of dollars to fund a campaign to be able to run for public office. It gives me as a candidate the opportunity to meet and connect with delegates and to earn their support. It is truly the epitome of this representative republic of ours.

I will continue to support and stand by Utah’s caucus system and I invite you to join me.

  • Gary Prince

    Those who want to see the caucus system go are those who no longer benefit. In other words, those who study politics and the politicians votes are those who represent their districts. They know what they want from an elected official. Politicians like Orrin Hatch who have millions of dollars want to manipulate the masses with 30-second sound bites and carefully crafted advertisements coming from think groups. The caucus system mirrors the system we have in both the state and federal governments. It is based on a republic form of government, not a mobocracy (or pure democracy). Let’s keep the caucus system. It is a notice to those who run for office that those who study the issues will make them accountable for their actions in Washington DC.