PROVO — The Constitution Party garnered a surprisingly high number of votes from Utah County residents in the general election.

The six candidates for the state legislature from the political third party made solid showings — in one race earning 30 percent of the vote — and the party's 3rd Congressional seat candidate, Jim Noorlander, reaped almost 11 percent of votes, about 15 percentage points behind Democrat Christian Burridge's take in the county.

In all, even though only 227 residents in 360,000-resident Utah County are registered members of the party, 2.43 percent of Utah County votes on Nov. 7 went to Constitution Party candidates.

Some estimates place the number of voters registered with the party nationwide at more than 350,000, making it the third largest party in the United States. Its platform is rooted in deeply conservative values and pushes for limited government based on the U.S. Constitution. The party, founded in 1992 and originally called the U.S. Taxpayers Party, urges bans on same-sex marriage and the elimination of Social Security, welfare and federal income, payroll and estate taxes.

Noorlander, who lost to GOP Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, said the party fights a trend toward socialism in both the Democratic and Republican parties.

"Both major parties have now embraced socialism," he said. "Socialism is evil. It destroys individuals, it destroys communities and it destroys nations."

Decreasing government power held a prominent role in Noorlander's campaign. He says government handouts breed societal problems

"There's the proper role of government and the improper role of government," he said. "The purpose of government is not to provide things for people."

Ed McGarr, Utah County chairman for the Constitution Party, said he thinks voters are looking for an alternative to the two major political parties, and the Constitution Party provides another option, especially for Republicans.

"The Constitution Party really resonates with a traditional Republican platform," he said.

McGarr, who ran for House District 58, said his campaign focused on promoting a government that honors God, defending the traditional family and restoring the republic. He said the party's platform reflects the original values of the GOP.

"I think people are fed up with the fact that Republicans are not being Republicans anymore and they protested against that (by voting for the Constitution Party)," he said.

McGarr received 29.78 percent of the vote, but, unlike most third-party candidates, had only one opponent, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom. However, McGarr said he thinks most of the votes cast for him represented more than just protest votes against Sandstrom, who toppled incumbent Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, in the GOP primary.