Desert Green Party files for ballot access

Add a dispute about the color of green to the list of issues confronting Utahns during this year's elections.

Monday, the Desert Green Party filed for ballot access in Utah, which means it will be able to field a slate of candidates in county, state and congressional races that will compete against Republicans, Democrats and other third parties — including the Green Party.

"The meaning of Desert Greens is multilayered," co-coordinator Shane Cutler said Monday in a news release. "It reminds us of the ecosystem we are in and how delicate it is . . . but it is also inspiring. Even in the harshest conditions, life finds a way and thrives. Hopefully, that is a metaphor for our party."

The Desert Greens are actually a group of former Green Party members who split from the party because of disputes about their party nominee for U.S. president in 2004. Because the Green Party is already recognized by the state, the Desert Greens — which is actually the group recognized by the national party — needed to incorporate under a different name.