From Deseret News archives:
Utahns eager to cast ballots
A new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll found 67 percent of eligible Utahns definitely plan to participate in the Feb. 5 presidential primary, while 17 percent probably will go to the polls. Only 12 percent said they definitely or probably do not intend to vote.
Utah is among 24 states that will hold primaries or caucuses as part of an election day so large it's now referred to in some parts as Super-duper Tuesday. But the Beehive State won't be the belle of the ball, with the likes of California and New York as well as several of the candidates' home states in the mix.
"Nothing that happens here will be decisive," said Todd Taylor, Utah Democratic Party executive director. "That said, we at least have a vote that counts, along with 20 other states. We are in the thick of it."
Utah has attempted in the past to make itself and the Rocky Mountain region more attractive to presidential hopefuls with the idea of a Western states primary. But the idea fizzled when states couldn't agree on how or when to hold the election.
"I think we have some influence in the process, unlike in previous years when we had a hard time even getting candidates to visit us," he said. "Those Utah delegates are every bit as important as those from any other state."
Of the 24 states voting on Super Tuesday, 15 have more total delegates up for grabs than Utah's 36 Republican and 29 Democratic.
While interest on paper is high, the number of voters actually won't be if the last Utah presidential primary is any indication. Voter turnout in 2000 was 10.1 percent, although that primary was held after the candidates for both parties had already been decided.
Of those surveyed in the Dan Jones and Associates poll who said they intend to participate next month, 65 percent will head to a Republican primary and 26 percent to a Democratic primary.
The GOP runs a closed primary, meaning only registered Republicans may vote. Unaffiliated or independent voters, however, may register at the polling place on Election Day.
The Democratic primary is open. Unaffiliated voters or independents may vote without registering with the party.
On the Republican side, Mitt continues to be it in Utah.
A whopping 78 percent of GOP voters polled intend to support adopted son Mitt Romney, up from what pollster Jones called an "almost unheard of" 65 percent in October.
Recent comments
To: Stenar...I believe we have heard the same hot air with Bush vs....
FYI Nevada | Jan. 21, 2008 at 5:55 p.m.
Of all the seven dwarfs running on the Republican side, Mittens "the...
Stenar | Jan. 21, 2008 at 5:09 p.m.
I can't wait to cast my vote for the one and only hope this nation...
I can't wait! | Jan. 21, 2008 at 3:08 p.m.
- Recount in Atlanta mayoral race 9:54 a.m.
- Jurors defend verdict in Texas 9:52 a.m.
- New York charges don't stick to Gotti 9:51 a.m.
- Provo police seek 5 in robbery 9:50 a.m.
- Blackwater founder cutting ties 9:49 a.m.
- Blood found in Yale suspect's home 9:48 a.m.
- Allen Iverson signs with 76ers again 9:48 a.m.
- FDIC: bank access lacking for poor 9:23 a.m.
- Publishers strengthen 'pay walls' 9:22 a.m.
- General Growth files reorganization 9:20 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
- Find joy in life, Bishop Burton says
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- MWC '09 season in review
- McCoy to resign from Utah Senate
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
907 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
483 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
404 - Max Hall issues apology
388 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
350 - Utes won't respond to Hall
276 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
239 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
164 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
134
My husband was teaching his 6th-grade class in Salt Lake last year when...
Every team is a dangerous foe for utah this year.
My Apology for missing the decimal place. In an earlier comment, I stated...
During most of the "drunk" period, the Fed was run by Allan Greenspan who...
Isn't it amazing that Austin Collie is closer to a Super Bowl ring than Alex...
Mike Lee isn't even in the race (maybe he will) and is only 2% behind a...
We all have our favorite phrases to sum up the TDS - Utah rivalry games....
Then it was also a tie game in 2005.
Re: "Even if the danger is overstated, we need to be better stewards of the...
I suppose all of you that feel his actions are justified because of his...
When someone gets HIV because they had a blood transfusion, or married to...
