The organizers behind Count My Vote say they’re encouraged the SB54 compromise worked beautifully in the recent GOP 3rd CD primary election. But, the ongoing effort to undo that agreement may push them to take the issue of eliminating the caucus system directly to the people. UtahPolicy.com previously reported that Count My Vote was readying to refile their petition initiative to do away with the caucus/delegate/convention route to the ballot, leaving only a direct primary. Rich McKeown says the constant effort to do away with the legislative compromise has changed the dynamic. “It has been an absolute struggle,” said McKeown. “We have given some thought about taking this to the people. It never went to the people. It was a compromise with the legislature, so that’s the consideration we have. We’re trying to assess the landscape and trying to determine whether to move forward.”
McKeown was a guest on the Beg to Differ podcast with Bryan Schott and Mike Winder. He says it’s getting harder to ignore the continual attacks on the SB54 compromise coming from the Republican-controlled legislature and Republican Party.
“The continual attacks by the party, the continued effort at litigation, the actual campaigning against candidates who had gathered signatures, the obfuscation of what the law was intended to do, have all contributed to thinking that maybe this is an issue the people should weigh in on. If you listened to Gov. Herbert at the time, he said he wished he had vetoed it and put it on the ballot. Then, it would have then been the voice of the people instead of this continuing wrangling we have.”
Full Article: Count My Vote may take initiatve to the ballot because of constant efforts to dismantle SB54.