Primary-election observation

Deseret Morning News editorial
Published: Thursday, June 24, 2004 7:34 a.m. MDT
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Utahns spoke at the polls on Tuesday. Well, some of them did. An estimated 14.5 percent of registered voters turned out Tuesday, a paltry showing. Then again, it was June, and despite the barrage of mass mailings and campaign signs plastered everywhere the eye could see, people aren't politically engaged in the summer. Move the primary to September and we'd venture that voter turnout would likely take a huge leap.

Other Utah voters intentionally sat out the election. They refused to play the game that Utah's Republican Party has created with its closed primary election. Either you register as a Republican or you can't vote in Republican races. Given Utah's political leanings, it means non-Republicans don't get a choice if they don't jump through the hoops. Never mind that voters can retreat from their GOP affiliation immediately following the election.

Another problem with the closed primary is the confusion it creates. Some people shied away from nonpartisan school board races because they believed they had to register as Republicans to take part in the balloting. Any registered voter can vote in a nonpartisan race, but some people apparently had a different understanding. How very unfortunate.

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While this factor is more difficult to quantify, negative campaigning and one-issue politics may have likewise discouraged voters from taking part in the process. Voters in the 2nd Congressional District — once again — chose John Swallow over Tim Bridgewater to represent the GOP in the November election against Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson. The race turned nasty in the final days, which may have turned off some voters.

More troublesome were tactics of immigration reform groups who sought — but retreated from — a plan to challenge votes in Utah's 3rd Congressional District, fearing that illegal immigrants with drivers' licenses were registering to vote. Incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon, targeted by immigration reform organizations, went on to defeat challenger Matt Throckmorton, a former state lawmaker. Federal officials oversaw the elections after reports that immigration reformist groups would challenge some voters in the belief that Cannon campaign workers had encouraged illegal immigrants to register to vote. No irregularities were reported. Cannon faces Democrat Beau Babka in November.

While some races illustrated the worst in cutthroat politics, the GOP primary for governor deserves mention for its civility. Candidates Jon Huntsman Jr. and Nolan Karras conducted themselves as gentlemen throughout the race and took part in thoughtful debate of important Utah issues. Huntsman moves on to face Democratic gubernatorial candidate Scott Matheson Jr., whose intellect and tact should likewise elevate the political discourse.

Hopefully, all candidates for general election will conduct themselves in a manner that encourages more people to become politically interested and involved. We look forward to a civil and issues-based campaign season.

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