Utah Demos push primary

Even though there's a clear front-runner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Utah Democrats are trying for a good turnout in the state's primary next week.

"Utah is going to matter one week from today in the presidential primary," Donald Dunn, chairman of the state's Democratic Party, told reporters Tuesday during a press conference called to promote the Feb. 24 election.

Dunn said the party hopes to top the turnout from Utah's 1992 Democratic primary, when some 27,000 voters went to the polls. This year's election costs, expected to run about $30,000, are being picked up by the party.

All of the major candidates still in the race have been invited to attend the party's annual fund-raising dinner on Monday, including the leader, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry. Dunn said Kerry is committed to coming to Utah but has yet to set the date.

So far, though, the closest Kerry's come to the state was sending a Democratic congressman from Oregon, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, to a gathering held Tuesday night to watch returns from the Wisconsin primary.

Dunn said North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean could also make appearances, depending on what happens in Wisconsin. Both candidates have said they'll stay in the race no matter what the results.

Another candidate, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, recently canceled plans to be in Utah on Thursday. Kucinich has lagged well behind the other candidates, although he has been endorsed by Utah's progressive Democratic caucus.

Dunn said because only about one-fourth of the total delegates at the Democrats' national convention in July will have been chosen by the date of Utah's primary, the delegates selected through the vote here will have an impact.

The Utah primary is open to residents who will be at least 18 years old by the time of the Nov. 2 general election. Participants do not need to be registered to vote, although they will have to sign a form adding them to the party's mailing list.

Ballots will be available at various public libraries throughout the state from noon until 8 p.m., except in Daggett, Piute and Rich counties. There, voters will have to cast their ballots by mail.

A complete list of polling places and information on voting by mail are available at www.utdemocrats.org or by calling the state party offices in Salt Lake City at 328-1212. Ballots cast by mail must be postmarked by Friday.

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