Go to party caucuses tonight

Utahns, today it's your turn. It's your turn to help shape your respective party's ballot come November.

Go to your party caucuses tonight at 7 o'clock. Visit the Democrat or Republican party Web sites at www.utdemocrats.org or www.utgop.org to find the location and other information.

Utah's participation in the Western States Presidential Primary indicated that Utahns value choice. Ditto for the hundreds of people who filed to run for elected office last week. Selecting convention delegates is the first step in winnowing down the field and ensuring that those delegates know your views on important issues such as education, taxation, health care and immigration.

Broad participation helps to ensure that Utah politics is not dominated by special-interest groups. All are welcome at their respective party caucuses. The only price of admission is caring enough about one's state and country that you make a special effort to take part in this grass-roots process.

In some respects, participation on this level is as important, if not more important, than showing up to vote on Election Day. Selecting delegates is very important because their votes determine who will be on the party's ballots. A delegate, in a perfect world, should represent the views of the people who elect them. If you're tired of fringe interests defining your party's politics, this is the time for you to stand up and be counted. If you are dissatisfied how your elected officials represent you, this is also a time to make that known.

In Utah, the lion's share of incumbents are re-elected to public office. Part of the reason is name recognition. Another reason is party affiliation. While most Utah politicians serve with distinction, none should take re-election for granted. They should have to earn the privilege.

No one will be pleased with the result of every political race or legislative decision. But participating in tonight's caucuses enables common Utahns a bit more say in the outcome of their respective party's convention. For people who value political choice, the decision whether to participate is a no-brainer.