Busy primary expected

A larger-than-average number of Utah County voters are expected to turn out for Tuesday's primary election. Republican voters will determine the final party contenders for Congress, the governor's office and the state House of Representatives.

There will also be trimming of candidate rosters in the Alpine (District 7) and Nebo (District 1 and 6) school board races. Those races are nonpartisan and will be open to all registered voters living within the districts affected. The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the November ballot.

In the congressional races, northeast Utah County voters will be choosing between Tim Bridgewater and John Swallow in District 2 — a rematch from two years ago when Swallow won the nomination before narrowly losing in the general election to Democrat incumbent Jim Matheson — while the rest of the county will choose between incumbent Chris Cannon and challenger Matt Throckmorton in District 3. That race has recently generated controversy concerning illegal immigration and will be monitored by federal election observers.

There are two state House of Representatives races affecting Utah County to be resolved: Districts 59 and 60. A third race in District 65 is now moot. Aaron Tilton is ensured advancement in that district following incumbent Calvin Bird's formal withdrawal from the race. Since the Republican nominee in the district will be unopposed on the November ballot, Tilton's election to the House is essentially assured.

Bird withdrew after the Deseret Morning News reported on his citation in connection with a prostitution sting in Salt Lake County. He has also notified House leaders that he will resign from his seat effective June 30.

Because the primary is closed, only voters who are registered as Republicans may vote in the non-school board races. Voters who are currently non-affiliated will be allowed to vote if they are willing to declare themselves a Republican when they arrive to cast ballots.

The Utah County Clerk's Office has received nearly three times the absentee votes it did last year, due to a new state law that eliminates the requirement of citing a specific reason for voting absentee.

"Before, you had to actually be out of town or leaving town, or be disabled before voting absentee," said Utah County election coordinator Kris Swensen. "Now you don't have to list a specific reason to request an absentee ballot."

Voters may cast an absentee ballot in person until 5 p.m. today at the Utah County Administration Building, 100 E. Center, Room 3100, in Provo.