This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The majority of Utah voters are registered as Independent. That effectively disenfranchises their votes. Utah elections are heavily weighted to Republican caucuses that provide delegates to the state GOP convention where candidates are nominated.
Since Republicans win supermajorities in legislative elections, GOP caucuses have a significantly influential effect on candidates for the Legislature.
If Independents do not participate in the Republican caucuses, then their voices and votes will be almost meaningless. They will remain the disenfranchised silent majority. Since the GOP caucuses are only open to registered Republicans, Independents would have to register as Republicans to participate. Students who are going to be 18 by Nov. 6, 2012, are also eligible take part.
If you vote Republican in the general election and if you want your voice to be heard, you should register as a Republican and attend and participate in the GOP caucuses on March 15. Ask your neighbors to participate. Encourage anyone you respect to participate in the party's caucuses and to consider running as a candidate for the Legislature. The candidate filing deadline is March 15. The fees are less than $30 for state senator and less than $15 for state representative. If you are a student, ask your parents and neighbors to participate.
If you are a college student, consider returning to your home (if nearby) and participate with your families and neighbors. To participate at the university caucuses dilutes the voice of those who are most affected by lack of support for education in the Legislature.
Teachers, PTA members, school community councils, school district employees and parents should all consider attending their local Republican precinct caucuses (if you contemplate voting Republican in the general election). The delegates that you select should reflect your priorities in education.
Until recently, Utah has placed a greater emphasis on education. The first LDS temples had two major functions: worship of God and childhood education. A greater percentage of Utah's budget used to be devoted to education than any other state's budget. Over the last 10 years, however, education has received a lower budget priority at the Legislature, even while Utah's silent majority gives education the top spending priority.
Herman Cain, the former presidential candidate, said last year that "it is not education's fault if teachers and people interested in education sit back and do nothing. ... They can't complain about lack of funding."
On March 15, Utahns who want more emphasis placed on education cannot sit back. They need to spend a couple of hours, after registering as Republicans, attending and participating in their neighborhood caucuses, which begin at 7 p.m. Registration begins at 6:15. The locations for Salt Lake County can be found at http://www.slcogop.com. Other county GOP caucuses can be found online.
George Chapman was a delegate to the state Democratic convention in 1972 but later registered as a Republican. He is a retired engineer.