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As people gathered in living rooms, elementary school libraries and college classrooms to choose delegates who will ultimately select the nominees in this year's elections, Democrats came out in force in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley.

Nearly twice as many residents as in past years showed up in the Sandy and Draper area, mostly because of a "real dissatisfaction with legislators, such as Greg Curtis and Chris Buttars down there," said Todd Taylor, executive director of the Utah Democratic Party.

Stan Lockhart, chairman of the state Republican Party, said he saw higher-than-usual numbers in his hometown, Provo, a GOP stronghold. But he said he had no feel for how high the turnout was in other parts of the Republican-dominated state, adding that he wouldn't have a good count for a few days.

At the Republican caucus in West Jordan, where Sen. Chris Buttars sat along the wall with more than 60 of his neighbors, he didn't speak and no one mentioned his election.

Gone was the senatorial suit and tie. Buttars, dressed in a blue chambray work shirt over a navy T-shirt, quietly participated in electing delegates who will, in turn, vote at May's county convention to narrow Buttars' crowded District 10 race.

Buttars, who seeks a third term, has four Republican challengers this year and his overall approval rating sank after a series of missteps - including racially charged remarks - during this year's Legislative session.

However, no mention was made of the Buttars bluster at this neighborly caucus - held at the home of Carmi and Judy McDougal for the past 25 years.

"I think Senator Buttars is a good man who did a really stupid thing when he said what he did. He cares a lot about people and about our country," said Judy McDougal in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

Others disagreed.

A few blocks west of the McDougal home, Gary Armstrong attended his neighborhood caucus.

Armstrong is one of four Republican challengers who hope to unseat Buttars at the Salt Lake County convention.

"With what happened this last year - the black baby quote and his subsequent actions - Buttars lost all ability to represent me because no one would affiliate with him after that," Armstrong said. "It took him out of the game."

Sherm Margetts, one of two county delegates elected at the McDougal home Tuesday, said he has some homework ahead of him regarding the five candidates in Senate District 10.

"I haven't made up my mind yet. I will do my best to do the necessary due diligence," Margetts said.

Democrats gathered in precinct caucuses at West Jordan's Utah Career College where Brad Charon - a former Republican who switched parties years ago - was elected as a delegate.

Charon and longtime Democrat Rick Gaisford chatted in the parking lot afterward, musing about the healthy turnout.

"I plan to work hard for change," Charon said. "But until people look at ideas more than the parties people represent, it's not going to happen."

While most gathered in schools or living rooms, a handful of Republicans from the heavily Democratic Avenues area gathered beneath chandeliers and antique furniture in the governor's mansion with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and first lady Mary Kay Huntsman present. The six attendees chose the Huntsmans' 23-year-old daughter, Mary Anne, to serve as a delegate to the Republican State Convention, where she can vote for her father.

Carol Swenson, who was elected as the secretary treasurer for the precinct in House District 24, said it was her duty to attend caucuses.

"I can't kneel down and say my prayers and ask God to bless America and not try to do my part," said Swenson, tearing up. "This is where I need to be."

At the Democratic caucus for the seat Rep. Roz McGee is vacating in House District 28 on the east bench of Salt Lake City, about 400 people showed up to elect delegates, cramming into the library of Dilworth Elementary School.

Many had never been to a caucus before, and had come because of the national energy generated from the presidential race.

"I was inspired by the Obama campaign," said Janet Hurley, who became an alternate delegate.

Her friend, Lesley Brodie, said she came to her first convention this year "because I care about who represents us at the convention."

Rick Votaw, Salt Lake County's GOP vice chairman, said he "struggled" to find leaders for 179 voting precincts.

"It's very discouraging in this city, this county and this state to see people not stand up" to lead, he said.

Q: What are Utah neighborhood caucuses?

A: They are small gatherings - often in living rooms - held by Republicans and Democrats in thousands of locations across the state to select delegates for the parties' county and state conventions.

Q: Who are delegates?

A: Delegates actually have a good deal of power in Utah's unusual candidate-winnowing system. Their votes at convention can determine the party's nominee, or the two candidates to face off in a June primary election.

Q: Are there winners and losers in Tuesday

night's caucuses?

A: Delegates can express preference for a particular candidate, but it is not required they do so. It is impossible to determine which candidates did well and which did poorly in delegate selection until the conventions.