If Utah Republicans want to vote to select the party’s presidential nominee next year, they won’t be able to do it at the traditional ballot box. By a overwhelming majority, members of the Utah Republican Party Central Committee on Saturday approved a resolution to conduct next year’s GOP presidential primary during neighborhood caucus meetings. After about 30 minutes of spirited debate and discussion, members were finally able to come to a consensus that allows the party to consider its presidential nomination at the same time it chooses its delegates to county and state political conventions.
“This is a very positive step,” said Enid Mickelsen, national committeewoman for Utah to the Republican National Committee. “The caucus system in Utah means that candidates who are not personally wealthy or not already famous still have the opportunity to emerge as candidates who get support.”
She said the goal of the party is to get more registered Republicans to get involved in the process through the caucus system rather than allow some who may not be supporters to impact the way the party selects its candidates.
“We think the presidential caucus is the ideal way to open up the process by coming up with new, innovative ways for (people) to participate,” she said.
Full Article: Utah GOP votes to hold presidential caucus, despite plea from Mitt Romney | Deseret News.