This is democracy at its finest. Any registered voter in your neighborhood can come and vote for anyone else as a delegate. Yes, one might even vote for you. They can register to vote at the door. They can even vote for your neighborhood's delegates if they're 17 and will be 18 by the November election.

(My son is going to love this.)

You don't have to make a large, corporate campaign contribution. You don't have to hire an expensive lobbyist. You will be viewed as a powerbroker. Even if you don't want to be a delegate, you will be courted by those who do, and who will want your vote.

If you do want to be a delegate, and you win your little neighborhood vote, you'll suddenly be admired by all the candidates who want to represent your district, from county recorders to state legislators to congressmen and their challengers.

They'll send you mail. They'll return your e-mails. They'll even give you their cell phone numbers.

You'll wonder if your nephew married into the Huntsman or Matheson family and somehow made you important.

Why all the love? You'll have the ability to make or break the political futures of powerful men and women. You help decide who gets on the ballot and who doesn't.

A shocking example popped up two years ago, when about 1,100 delegates at the Utah County Republican convention booted Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson out of office.

Voters in the Republican primary or general election never even saw Bryson's name on the ballot. It was a stunning loss for a man who had won four previous elections.

It all started in little neighborhood meetings where delegates were selected who weren't happy with Bryson.

The question for disappointed Bryson supporters was simple.

Where were you for the neighborhood caucuses in March?

---

Tad Walch lives with his wife and five children in Provo, their home for the past 21 years. Please e-mail twalch@desnews.com.