Taylor said the "dual nomination process is pure genius. Parties have a real role to play in the nomination, not just limited to exaggerated policy positions" that take place if all candidates stand in a primary election.

"If party delegates can't make up their mind who is the best, then you have the public make that decision in the primary election," said Taylor — a fall-back position that helps everyone. Taylor doesn't, however, like the fact that the Utah Republican Party makes primary voters register as Republicans to get a GOP primary ballot.

But GOP leaders maintain that only registered Republicans should be allowed to vote in a party nominating process — and their primaries have been closed since the early 2000s.

Arguing that even an interesting primary doesn't mean a good turnout in June, Jowers said the Chris Cannon/John Jacob GOP primary last month had national attention but a poor voter turnout nonetheless.

Jowers said June primaries "just don't get people engaged."

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com