Last month, the big news coming out of Utah Republican Party State Central Committee meeting was the race to replace former Attorney General John Swallow. But, the group also changed a key rule in its caucus system for nominating candidates. The SCC voted to allow a caucus attendee to bring same-day ballots to a caucus meeting on behalf of three others. Utah Republican Party Secretary Michelle Mumford believes the “Count My Vote” citizen’s initiative prompted the change. “I think that’s great,” she said. “Voluntary reforms from within always have the greater, longer-lasting, positive effect. I welcome the catalyst that CMV has become.” Right now, the caucus system allows candidates at party conventions with enough votes from delegates chosen at those caucus meetings to qualify for the general ballot. CMV would trash that system by allowing any candidate who gets signatures from 2 percent of his party’s registered voters in his district, or office, to get on the ballot.
The discussion at the Dec. 14 meeting concerned limiting the number of same-day ballots “so as to limit the possibility of someone running around to all their neighbors to get ballots filled out in their favor,” Mumford said.
The number reached as high as seven ballots for much of the afternoon before the final was proposal was made, which passed nearly unanimously. Many SCC members had left following initial rounds of voting for attorney general nominees.
“With all these different protections in place, we’ll be able to rely on the same day ballot with the least amount of fraud,” she said before acknowledging that additional changes may be needed.
Same-day ballots will help accommodate individuals like parents and first responders, Mumford said.
Full Article: Utah GOP Adds Same-Day Ballots to Caucus System.