Why should I attend a party caucus and become a delegate?
By choosing the delegates who will attend county and state conventions, caucus attendees set the stage for all election races. By determining which candidates will represent their parties in the general election, party delegates can have a big influence over public policy.
Consider the following:
- Since fewer people participate in caucuses and conventions than in a general election, your vote at these early stages can carry more weight.
- Since party delegates tend to be more active in politics than the general population, they sometimes represent more extreme views. A higher general participation in party caucuses could mean that mainstream voters are better represented throughout the election process.
- A large percentage of Utah legislative races are in districts considered "safe" for a particular political party. In other words, the seat is always held by representatives from the same party. In these areas, the real race is over by May or June when the conventions and primary elections are completed. If you want a say in who represents you, it's important be involved early in the process.
"The power of our state comes from people who are concerned about their government... Government is a personal responsibility. You are the greatest safeguard against depersonalized government and the antidote to apathy."— Governor John Huntsman Jr. State of State Address 2008 |
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