A Democrat clerk worried about Democrat turnout and using her official capacity to get the word out to her party? If a Republican county clerk pitched this story to the media the way Democrat Clerk Swensen did, he or she would be attacked for using the office for partisan purposes.

Why does the Republican party make it so that the people can't choose their candidates?

Funny how our Clerk Sherrie Swenson acts like she cares now but last year that office did not even try for the voucher elections. They were under staffed under prepared and still treat the poll workers like dirt.

Dear Angry,

I won't suggest that you fell asleep during any of your high schools classes, but please remember that our system of government is controlled by parties. The primaries are designed to pick candidates to represent each specific party. It just doesn't make any sense at all for the Republicans to choose the Democrat candidate, nor does it make sense for the Democrats to choose the Republican candidate. You are asking to participate in the process of choosing who represents the Republican party, and you can do that only of you are willing to call yourself (for at least a day!) a Republican. I understand that because the Democratic party represents such a narrow slice of Utah's moral and philosophical base that you would equate the primary with the general election, but the reality is that the primary (in partisan races) is a tool used by each party to select its candidate.

If you really want to complain, perhaps you should ask why it is that the Democratic Party *never* holds primary elections, instead allowing party insiders to choose their candidate. That is the truly closed system - you are given no voice at all in that choice!

Dear Angry,
The GOP closed its primary in order to allow Republicans to determine who would represent the GOP on the ballot--which they have every right to do. Many independent and unaffiliated voters define themselves as such because they don't like party-politics or feel that how they vote is only their business. I was on such voter. I realized, however, that to have a voice in the process, I needed to declare a party affiliation. I don't vote party line, but rather study the candidates and the issues. I encourage every voter to do the same thing. If you want to vote in the GOP, you need to register as a Republican. So, try not to be angry, that won't solve the problem. Participate in the process and maybe I'll see you at the polls.

Let's not forget that when this great country was established by our forefathers, there were no Democrats or Republicans, only Americans. That's what this election is all about about. I'm not voting Democratic or Republican, I'm voting American and for me that means I'm voting for Jason Chaffetz.