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Letter: Democracy in Utah rests on allowing candidates to advance to the primary election by gathering signatures

It is essential for moderate voices to be heard and represented in our political system.

(Scott Sommerdorf   |  The Salt Lake Tribune)  Taylor Morgan of Count My Vote spoke at the Count My Vote public hearing at the Whitmore Library in Cottonwood Heights, Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. The Count My Vote ballot initiative sought to select party nominees through a direct primary, in addition to the traditional caucus-convention system.

(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Taylor Morgan of Count My Vote spoke at the Count My Vote public hearing at the Whitmore Library in Cottonwood Heights, Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. The Count My Vote ballot initiative sought to select party nominees through a direct primary, in addition to the traditional caucus-convention system.

It is clear to me that the future of democracy in Utah relies on the preservation of SB54 and the use of signature gathering for candidates to secure a spot on election ballots.

Attending the Utah Republican Convention as a first-time state delegate was an eye-opening experience. The atmosphere was filled with negativity and hostility, with candidates resorting to fear-mongering and baseless attacks rather than offering constructive solutions for the betterment of our state. It was disheartening to see moderate candidates being voted down by those seeking to emulate divisive figures like Donald Trump.

It is essential for moderate voices to be heard and represented in our political system. This can only happen if more moderate voters actively participate in the caucus process, become delegates and help shape the conventions to accurately reflect the diverse range of Republican thought in Utah.

Suzanne Dailey, Salt Lake City

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