Whatever it's called, it is the closest thing to a national presidential primary the United States has ever had. As in general elections, the opinions that matter are not those of the political analysts or the pollsters. The opinions that matter are those of the voters who get out to the polls and cast their ballots.
The folks who stay home? Their opinions don't matter.
So get out there and vote, Utahns.
On the Republican side, the three-way race will almost certainly go to Mitt Romney, a favorite son by virtue of his leadership of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games here and his membership in the LDS Church. He is likely to bury frontrunner John McCain and also-ran Mike Huckabee in the Beehive State.
On the other side of the partisan divide, Utah Democrats, who are accustomed to being ignored in this reddest of red states, are motivated by the strange feeling that their votes Tuesday actually will count for something.
Barack Obama has operated two field offices in the state, raised funds here, and his wife, Michelle, campaigned here yesterday.
Hillary Clinton has not campaigned in Utah, but daughter Chelsea has, and husband Bill raised funds here.
Both Democratic campaigns have bought local television advertising in Utah, an unprecedented step.
One poll suggests that Obama will be the choice of Utah Democrats. But remember that polls have been wrong in other primary states. Again, the only poll that matters is the actual voting today.
On the subject of ballots, remember that if you are a registered Republican, you must vote in the Republican primary. If you are a registered Democrat, you must vote in the Democratic primary.
If you are registered as an unaffiliated voter, you may choose whether to vote in the Republican or the Democratic primary. The Republicans will first require that you sign an affiliation statement at the polls to vote in their primary. The Democrats won't.
If you can't remember what your registered affiliation is, or if you need to find your polling place, go to the Utah lieutenant governor's Web site at www.elections.utah.gov. Click on "Find Your Polling Place." Or call the office at (801) 538-1041 or (800) 995-VOTE.
In Salt Lake County, you can get the same information at the county clerk's Web site at www.clerk.slco.org/elections or call (801) 468-3427.
