This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A proposed bylaw amendment that would penalize superdelegates from Utah who support Hillary Clinton — by forcing them to resign their positions on the Utah State Democratic Party Executive Committee, permanently banning them from holding any position in the future and prohibiting the state party from offering them any support — is unfairly punitive and heavy-handed.
Whether you like them or not, superdelegates have a voice in this year's Democratic presidential race. They were chosen in a process approved by the Democratic National Committee. Getting rid of them is a reasonable thing to discuss, but at a later date. The rules have already been established for this election, and, as such, they must be followed.
Superdelegates are empowered to vote their conscience, and the proposed amendment infringes upon that right. Furthermore, I am extremely disturbed by this blatant attempt to silence the minority. In a state where Democrats have been relegated to super-minority status, it seems like we should be especially sensitive to making sure everyone has a voice in the process. These kind of tea party-esque bully tactics may be acceptable within certain radical elements of the Republican Party, but they have absolutely no place in the Utah Democratic Party.
Ryan D. Curtis
Salt Lake City