Utah Republican Party Chairman James Evans said Friday the party plans to hold a caucus instead of a primary election next year to choose the Republican nominee for president. “We’ll just do our own presidential caucus,” Evans said, calling the decision the party’s to make. “If the state is trying to insist on something different, then they would be out of bounds here.” It’s the latest salvo in an ongoing dispute between Utah Republicans on how best to select candidates and centers on control of the nominating process and voter turnout. Rep. John Cox, R-Ephraim, said he wants to draft a bill to hold an online primary election for president in 2016. Cox said the dates of the primary will also have to be changed to conform with new national party requirements.
Last year, Cox tried unsuccessfully to get lawmakers to try online voting in a bill that also included a mandate that Utah be the first in the nation to hold a presidential primary.
… Evans said holding a caucus would attract more Utahns to participate in the state’s unique system that gives delegates selected at caucus meetings the power to nominate candidates at a convention.
“One of the most appealing things is we certainly will be able to educate the public on the caucus system,” Evans said. He has suggested a GOP presidential caucus vote could be cast online.
Full Article: State GOP chairman wants caucus, not a primary | Deseret News.