Readers' forum: More educated voters

I find it interesting that most of the proponents of eliminating (or modifying) the caucus convention system seem to ignore the fact that "an alternate route to the ballot" currently exists. Under current Utah Code any qualified citizen can run for any office in Utah without participating in the caucus system (UT Code 20A-9-502).

Caucuses only apply to the nominees of political parties. Party control seems to be the real reason behind these alternative proposals.

Caucus opponents actually seem to be saying, "beware of the 'common people' — grassroots, tea parties, etc. — they are learning our system."

As Mike Leavitt declared ("A better nominating process," Jan. 8), caucuses have "many virtues," which helped him get elected as a relative unknown.

However, the caucus system requires organization, planning and activism to succeed rather than popularity, money and slick advertising, which seem to be success factors in most primaries.

Masses of voters are not necessarily the answer; more educated voters may be.

Robert Wren

Heber