facebook-pixel

Commentary: United Utah Party caucus meetings are a non-extreme choice

At our caucuses, we don’t question whether a new participant is a “real” or “pure” party member.

(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) The new United Utah Party State Party Chair Richard Davis speaks to a small gathering as the party held its first Salt Lake County convention to elect county officers. Also speaking to the group was congressional candidate Jim Bennett, Saturday, October 28, 2017.

Since the beginning of mass meetings in Utah, Utah voters generally have had a choice between two sets of caucuses – Democratic and Republican. Voters who considered themselves more middle of the road had an unpalatable choice every two years between the left or the right. However, this year, there is another choice – the United Utah Party.

The UUP will be holding caucuses at 20 locations across the state. The list of locations is available on our website. Even those who cannot travel to an existing caucus location can join one through videoconference. We want to encourage participation in our caucus meetings.

What happens at United Utah Party caucuses? It is different from what many Utahns are accustomed to. Here’s what will happen:

First, as our caucuses are open to everyone, no one will be blocked at the door because they aren’t the right party affiliation. We don’t require anyone to register with our party to enter the room. Anyone can register with our party, but doing so is strictly voluntary.

Second, we don’t elect delegates because every party member is automatically a delegate to our county and state conventions. That means no one is standing at the front attempting to get support as a delegate to a county or state convention. No is saying they will represent the people in the room at the convention when, actually, no one really knows how that person voted at the convention.

Every party member who shows up at a county convention gets to vote for herself or himself. No “middle man” involved. No one else is making the decision of how a party member should be represented. Party members represent themselves.

The same is true at the state convention, but with a twist. If a party member lives beyond 50 miles from the state convention site, he or she can participate in a regional satellite location the party will set up. That means party members in St. George or Logan can stay local and still participate as if they were physically present in the convention hall.

Our caucuses are an opportunity for those disenchanted with the extremism of the Republicans and the Democrats to meet and mingle with others who are similarly more moderate and less ideological. Our party favors practical rather than strict ideological solutions to the problems of our state and nation. We welcome to our party those who are tired of partisan gridlock and ideological purity tests.

We also will provide the chance to become involved in the process. We want Utahns to become re-engaged in the political process. Voter turnout is abysmal. Many people are tired of the lack of competition in the state and want an option they can enthusiastically support.

At our caucuses, we don’t question whether a new participant is a “real” or “pure” party member. We will welcome new participants and get them involved even if they don’t agree with every part of our platform.

Voters who are uncomfortable with the caucus choices they have had for years should try a new one – the United Utah Party. Voters who do so may feel like they have finally come home.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Richard Davis is helping to organize a new centrist party of disaffected Republicans and Democrats called the Utah United Party. Organizers as well as several former GOP and Democratic leaders announced the new party during a press conference in the Centennial Room at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City Monday May 22, 2017.

Richard Davis is chair of the United Utah Party.