Utahns who want a say in which presidential candidates appear on the ballot in November must decide their party affiliation during the first two weeks of 2024. And if voters decide to register with the Republican Party, that process won’t include a presidential primary.
To take part in Republican electoral decisions, the state party requires that voters be officially affiliated with the party. The deadline to change voter affiliation for the 2024 election cycle is Jan. 9 by 5 p.m.
When Utah’s Super Tuesday rolls around March 5, the Utah Republican Party will forgo the presidential primary election to instead poll party members on their presidential preference at neighborhood caucus meetings that evening. Republicans can find their local precinct by entering their address on the state party’s website.
The Utah GOP will decide between backing former President Donald Trump or choosing one of a handful of other candidates — which currently includes former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson — for a likely competition with incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Supporters of President Joe Biden cheer as his motorcade passes through the Park City area following a private fundraiser in The Colony at White Pine Canyon on Thursday, Aug 10, 2023.
Under the preferential ballot system that Republicans will use on caucus night, members of the party vote for one presidential candidate. When Utah delegates attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July, they will vote proportionately based on the caucus night ballots.
Democrats, which Republicans outnumber nearly four to one among registered voters in the state, do not have the same voter affiliation requirement and their party will hold a traditional primary. The candidates challenging the president include Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson.
Clarification, Jan. 11, 1:15 p.m. ⋅ This story has been clarified to explain the Utah Republican Party’s caucus night process and to update which candidates will appear on caucus ballots.