Reader comments
My view: Utah must stimulate voter turnout

GWB | 4:12 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Come on Dr. Davis, you know that Utahns vote on two issues, abortion rights and gay marriage. It is a simple fact then that the only reason to vote for most is to be part of the crowning of the person picked at the Republican state convention to run for Governor, Attorney General, etc...

You are correct that this one party state leads to low turnout. As an example, living in West Jordan where I have Provo and Utah county with Jason Chaffetz as the GOP nominee for Congress, it was a foregone conclusion that my vote for any Democrat from President Obama on down had little chance of changing the outcome. In this bleak scenario, many people simply stay home.

With Mitt's dismissal by the GOP and the recent Glen Beck dustup, perhaps Utahns will start to notice that their Mormon religion is not shunned by Democrats (see Senate Majority Leader) and will figure out that no Prophet has said it is a requirement to support Republicans.

Until that day comes voter turnout in Utah will continue to decline.

It's the system, man | 4:29 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Way to go, Richard. Blame the Republicans for your shortcomings.

Maybe if you and the rest of the Utah Democratic Party weren't just sock puppets for the National Education Association you would get more votes. Why don't you change THAT first and then we'll see if the other changes are necessary?

quality not quantity | 6:37 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Having more of a thing does not translate into having the best. While I agree that more people should be involved I think we should have a test prior to allowing anyone to vote. It should be based on the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the history of why and how our country was founded. Mere existence as a citizen of age does not qualify a person to pick a leader.

Comments continue below

Mike Ridgway | 6:42 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Professor Davis, with all due respect, you write an article which claims to propose solutions for getting voters who choose to stay home out to the polls and you make a compelling case that too many voters are staying home.

But when I review your proposals for actually increasing turnout, your first two are completely nonsensical since they both deal with what can only be described as "ballot design."

Since the voters who choose to stay home will never SEE the ballot (with or without your "enhancements,") isn't it just a bit silly to suggest that somehow those changes are going to encourage non-voters to become voters? Seriously.

Isn't your real issue the fact that the straight-party voting option and the ability of county clerks to put their party first on the ballot suppress votes for Democrats?

My guess is that it is.

Ironically, those two issues are only disadvantageous to Democrats in counties where Republicans predominate.

But those very same factors are DISADVANTAGEOUS TO REPUBLICANS in Salt Lake County because:

A) MANY more voters in Salt Lake County vote straight party Republican than Democrat, and

B) the SLCounty Clerk is a Democrat, so Democrats appear first.

Wanna try again?

grundle | 7:05 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Every person that stays home gives my vote more power.

It would be great if we would all be informed and wise in our decisions and then we all come together for the best outcome.

Instead, we are led by whichever issue gets the most press. Sad.

We need education on principles and the issues will resolve themselves.

The Blame Game | 8:08 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Doctor,

Poor diagnosis of the problem, of course its hard to admit that yourself is to blame for not placing candidates on the ballot that can compete.

You're inability to capitalize on the national Democratic excitement and the voucher issue (despite your best efforts) shows how out of touch Democrats are with the people of Utah.

In my mind the most important principle of the Republican Party is "Personal Responsibility". This article further highlights that Democrats prefer to blame others rather than themselves.

GWB | 8:13 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

"quality not quantity" when you say: "I think we should have a test prior to allowing anyone to vote" that is so very genteel.

Who gets to write this test? Should it be written so that minorities cannot pass? How about poor people?

Heck, lets eliminate the Department of Education and free public schools, then only the children of certain desirable people will get enough education to pass the voting test.

Sounds to me like the poll taxes imposed in the south after the civil war.

Problem is, this country is guided by a Constitution that has a judicial review section. When you say of your proposed test, "It should be based on the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the history of why and how our country was founded"

You failed your own test because the Supreme Court has already ruled that placing barriers based on anything but citizenship are unconstitutional (with the exception of felons).

Of course, your thinking mirrors that of the Republican party, namely, prevent undesirables from voting and we can win.

Dave | 8:29 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I see no problem. Clueless people should stay home.

Wrex | 8:40 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

2008 Presidential Election:

Salt Lake County = BLUE

bilbo | 9:22 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

GWB said: "...perhaps Utahns will start to notice that their Mormon religion is not shunned by Democrats"

Yeah, like they did with Prop 8, with OVERWHELMING majority of protestors being card-carrying liberal Democrats.
Demo libs will NEVER accept LDS unless LDS changes to THEIR side.
No way, no thanks.

voter disillusionment | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I'd like to bet that the real reason for low voter turnout is because candidates for the two major parties do not inspire confidence or offer what the voters want.

People are traditional partisans in most cases. When they do not see their candidates take a firm stand on what they believe passionately in, they do not vote. The trumpet makes an uncertain sound and the army does not appear for battle.

GWB | 9:52 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Bilbo, the POLITICAL ACTIVITY of the LDS church in taking rights away from a group (prior to passage of prop 8 they had a right to marry) is what targeted the protests, not that people were LDS or any other religion.

Democrats do not have a litmus test on religion and actually believe that a mormon can rise to any level in the party (again, see Senate Majority Leader as an example).

We saw what happened to Mitt as he tried to ascend to the highest rankings of the Republican party.

Reality is that Democrats support free agency and the right of individuals to choose their religion and how they live, Republicans support making all live by their moral code.

Blame Bush | 9:56 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

As Utah becomes more "liberalized", voter turnout numbers decrease. Oh well, let's just blame it on President Bush, the man who stirred up Hurricane Katrina with his giant finger, then blew it into New Orleans. It's a fact!!

Mark B | 9:59 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Sure, people have the right to NOT vote, but are municipalities required to make registration easier, or do they frequently just sit back hoping new voters never show up? Can registration be done in subdivisions? Reservations? College campuses? Bus depots? BY missionaries outside the area who can provide ID? All these can be done at little cost without overtly trying to make political races more competitive.

BYU needs higher standards... | 10:18 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Professor Davis just got schooled HARD by Mike Ridgway. As a constant Ridgway critic, I have to give kudos where they are due: Nice work, Mike. Perhaps it's time for BYU to raise their standards?

Mr. Davis, the constitutional duty of the Lieutenant Governor is not to inspire "competitive races" between the Parties, as you seem to imply. His job, as pointed out in the Utah Constitution is:

The Lieutenant Governor shall:
(1) serve on all boards and commissions in lieu of the Governor whenever so designated by the Governor;
(2) perform such duties as may be delegated by the Governor; and
(3) perform other duties as may be provided by statute.

Statutorily, there is more. He is indeed, Utah's Cheif Election Officer, but nowhere in statute is he asked or even allowed to make efforts to "improve competition."

Therein lies the difference between Republicans and Democrats: Where competition does not exist, Democrats propose government imposed remedies. Conservative Republicans propose that those citizens who see a problem address the problem through their own industry, talents, and abilities.

As Pignanelli has said, Democrats will never win office on an "affirmative action for Democrats" platform.

for GWB | 11:31 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The only people that should not be able to pass the test would be the uneducated. If not wanting uneducated people to pick my leaders is genteel, then I am guilty of that and probably more. The next step would be to limit the vote to property owners. Heck, I'd even let women vote so long as they owned a piece of real estate.

I'm sorry, but you have failed the test. The USSC does not have the final word on the U.S. Constitution. Any decision they make can be amended. They ever overturn themselves on occasion.

GWB | 11:54 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

To "for GWB": you say "Any decision they make can be amended. They ever overturn themselves on occasion."

So let me ask you: do you realistically think they will ever overturn the right of every citizen over age 18 (that is not a convicted felon like Scooter Libby) to vote?

What state do you think will pass such a law when it is doomed to a long court battle?

quality not quantity | 12:20 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Here's is my point, GWB; Encouraging the ignorant to vote when they have no idea who or what they are voting for is a mistake. If you have seen or heard the Howard Stern ditty on youtube about "Harlem voters" you would understand why there should be a test prior to voting.

Of course, nobody will advocate allowing tests to be conducted. Politicians would prefer an ignorant electorate, as apparently, so do you.

Roobah | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The REAL reason for low voter turnout in Utah is that Utah Utes and BYU Cougars distract voters. Now if we didn't have football season RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of VOTING season, this wouldn't be so bad. And when it comes to PRIMARY season, well, that's BASEBALL / SOCCER season. It's IMPOSSIBLE to get involved with politics with all these sports going on. Sports demands SO MUCH more of our attention, all one has to do is look at the recent U of U hoopla to see what's REALLY important to Utahns.

We all know for at least the past dozen years (since the Edwards years anyway), both the Utes and Cougars have become progressively more significant rivals for each other and in the national arena. Someone forgot to remove these conflicting variables from relevancy of WHY voters don't vote!

I'm going to say if we had polling locations at our football stadiums (smaller fields elsewhere around the state) and vote booths at sports bars on game night, we'd get at least 80% turnout if we treated voting like a tailgate party.

Stewart | 12:48 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

First of all those that are not informed or don't care, should stay home. Another reason for lower registered turn out is the motor voter registration. Many of those that could careless about government check the registration box. If that were taken off most of these folks wouldn't bother to register, and thereby increase the percentage of registered voters that vote.

Mr. Davis may be a political science teacher at BYU and he may understand more about politics than I do, but I doubt that he associates with very many people that don't vote. He may have done studies, but never understand the individual reasons. Most non voters don't care, or are too lazy, but that doesn't stop them from being a complaining victim.

If someone really wanted to perk up the interest of voters try giving them a choice, or even none of the above for that matter.

What? | 12:57 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Why is it the State's responsibility to increase voter turn out? That's the responsibility of candidates, the political party leadership and the community organizers!

Do we really think it's some beurocrat's responsibity to us out to vote?

Why? | 1:08 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

so we can have even more dolts voting for an empty suit marxist like Obama?

Lew Jeppson | 1:16 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Dumping the straight ticket option is a good reform. It would at least force the voter to examine each individual race. As it is, many just pull the Republican level without ever examining the individual races.

rjw | 1:40 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Most of the responses here are the typical "Utah Repubs are always right and Democrats don't have a right to exist".
Ridgeway and others fail to address two big problems in Utah politics. For one, the average Utah voter only focuses on national politics and does not have a clue what goes on at city hall or at the county offices. Except for when their taxes go up. Two, eventhough Repubs and Dems have been around for decades, it wasn't that long ago when people used to vote for the candidate and the party affiliation did not matter. Now, it is the opposite. Everyone has to know what party the candidate belongs to and then the choice is made. That is why we have low voter turn out. By the way, it is amusing to hear Utah conservatives complain about Utah government despite the fact that conservatives are running the state.

BG | 1:51 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Look in the mirror, it's you, this is what a One-Party-State looks like! Why waste your time voting, when the outcome is known before the election! We could call off all elections, save the tax payers a bunch of money, and crown the Republican caucus nominee! Isn't that what we do here - why go through the mechanics of a Republic? How pathetic and anti-American! Utah voters have found a way, to actually abdicate their rights, guaranteed by the Constitution of these United States! What are we, as a People, thinking? Maybe, we just don't think, and cowardly, abdicate to others? Maybe, we are obedient to a fault - maybe? Maybe, we should be responsible citizens, for a change? Ya think! Maybe it's time for us to exercise our right to vote, as we see fit, and reject this One-Party-System of right-wing, fringe dominance/manipulation - a monster of dubios origin/purpose? Good People, it's very unhealthy and dangerous, to continue the status quo!! Respect yourselves, assert your rights - honor your citizenship!!

Jack | 4:46 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

My personal opinion is that voter turnout is low because the voters are not impressed with what they see - politicians and not statemen. Do away with automatics delegates, reinstitute term limits, have true ethics reform, and (in essence) bring back morality and confidence into the political process.

M Sanchez | 5:15 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Watching American Idol and Dancing with the Stars was more important than:
Going to a precinct caucaus meeting, running for a delegate or party office.
Going to a town meeting and meeting the candidates.
Looking into the issues and where each different party stands.
Picking candidates and give them your support of time and money in their campaigns.
Honoring the veterans who fought and died for the freedom to vote.

There are organized groups who are working hard to take away the right to vote. Voter appathy is a victory for them.
Buenos dias COMRADE!

to BG @ 1:51 | 5:35 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Look at the entire NorthEast , isn't that a one party system. How's that working out?

BG | 6:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

to BG @ 1:51, Look at the entire NorthEast, isn't that a one party system. How's that working out?

I recall, that the great State of Massachusetts, has had two Republican Governors in recent memory. One of these gentlemen, happens to be Mitt Romney, Utahs favorite Republican Party, Presidential Candidate! Help yourself! Read my post again - you need it more than ever!

Mike Ridgway | 12:18 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I can't speak for "others" but in response to RJW, I can certainly say that if any conservative is addressing "local issues," it's me.

And considering all that I've done to encourage people to rid the legislature of Republicans like Curt Bramble, I certainly don't see how I fail on the second point.

Funny how anonymous people can be so uninformed sometimes, it seems. And they're just everywhere, have you ever noticed that?

Rick Votaw | 6:45 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Funny how someone who holds himself out at the only true adjudicator of right and wrong can be so out of touch with reality. The same person who says "with all due respect" and then in the next line uses nonsensical.

Fair Voter | 11:02 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Check out FairVote: The Center for Voting and Democracy on initiatives it has helped become law which replace the two-party system with a more competitive multi-party system that leads to higher voter turnout.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.