Deseret News | Reader comments: Utah voters shun labels

Reader comments
Utah voters shun labels

Bob G | 4:53 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

There should be no restrictions to vote, regardless of party. This is unconstituional and violates my rights to vote for candidates. Anyone voting a straight party line is only provoking bad government by allowing other than personal choice of candidates. Voting should have no party affiliation requirement in any election, otherwise it is an invalid election where it does not allow voter choice. When voters are told they can't vote is bad for the nation and bad for peoples representation. The primary's are too critical and decisive in who is electeted as president of this country and voters should have every choice, even multi-party primary voting should be allowed. Every party has good and bad choices to represent and we need to vote the person, not the party. Government should be filled with debate and argument on all issues and party affiliation discounted. This type of party government has gotten the US economy in trouble and the people have lost representation and faith in our government leaders.

Libertarian Voter | 6:25 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

If you download the petition from the Libertarian Party of Utah's web site, sign your name, and mail it in, you can help Libertarians become recognized by the State of Utah once again.

Ken J. | 6:53 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Lack of commitment is a sad thing.

Comments continue below

Jay | 7:06 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Obviously your people don't read the Salt Lake Tribune and it's bigoted posters. They're sure the LDS vote 100% Republican and have the stupid sayings to prove it.

The truth dies a hard death, lies live on forever.

Jon | 7:48 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

So, if unaffiliated, do we need to prove that at the polls or can we just show up, say we're unaffiliated?

Previous experience | 7:49 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I used to live in a state with open primaries. If I thought election of someone in one party was a foregone conclusion, I would often vote with the other party. I'd always pick whomever I thought was the strongest candidate in the party I voted.

I've always wanted the choice in the general election to be difficult--not the lesser of two evils, but the greater of two strengths.

Yah, sure.. | 8:20 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I want Democrats picking the candidates for the Republican Party. That will make the Republican Party stronger.

Riiight!

re Bob G | 8:25 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Actually Bob, the primary vote is not the vote to elect public officials. It's a vote to choose who represents a particular political party at the general election. The Constitution actually guarantees the right of association. What that means is if you Bob G, want to start your own party and set up rules to that only people with the first name of "Bob" can represent it, you have the perfect right to do so. Just like the rest of us have the right to not vote for your candidate. A closed primary doesn't violate anyone's rights. Any issues surrounding it are purely political.

l | 8:36 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

So the article doesn't mention libertarians...does that mean that they are also now considered unaffiliated as well?

FeistyFreedomGirl | 8:40 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

There was so much confusion about this that I thought I had to register as a Republican before the primaries. Every news site is stating something different and it's extremely frustrating finding the facts.

To all of you (and I know there are a lot of you)who plan to vote for RON PAUL (he's the best!) this is great news because you don't have to sell yourself to the Republican party and you can still vote with your conscience. GO RON PAUL on February 5th!

Kevin D | 8:41 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Ken J. are you saying lack of Commitment to a party is a sad thing? Why should I commit to either party when neither represents what I believe? I personally am committed to what I believe, just not to a political party.

To Jon | 8:56 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Jon, if you are unaffiliated, that means that is how you are registered to vote. On your voter registration, you register either as a Democrat, Republican, Constitution Party member or unaffiliated. If you are registered as a member of any party, you will show up as such on the voter lists at the polling place; if you are registered unaffiliated, that's how you'll show up.

To FeistyFreedomGirl | 8:58 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Actually, FFG, you've got that wrong: You do still have to "sell yourself to the Republican Party" if you want to vote for Ron Paul (or any of the other GOP candidates) on Tuesday. You must be registered Republican to vote in the Republican primary. The Democrats require you to be registered as a Democrat or unaffiliated; the Republicans require you to be registered as Republican. Unaffiliated voters cannot vote in the Republican primary unless they change their registration to Republican. If you are currently unaffiliated, you can do that onsite at the polling place; if you are currently registered with another party, you must change that in person at the county clerk's office today or tomorrow.

Hoopla | 9:18 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

How Utahn's register is a slight thing compared to how they vote. How they vote is a sad disgrace to our fine constitution and the majority's fine freedom loving gospel. Utahn's vote for the wolf every time, fleece notwithstanding.

robert moore, Highland Utah | 9:41 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

In the heat of battle, too many of us forget that the purpose of a primary is to provide a platform for each party to choose its candidate. Where allowed, cross voting encourages voters of the opposing party to possibly sabotage the process and select a weaker candidate that could be more easily defeated in the general election. Bob G.'s thoughts in the first comment, are a recipe for disaster. He falsely promotes it by wrapping it in a blanket of hallowed words. Most will overlook his nescience, But we must not ignore his dangerous idea. Likewise, I applaud the "previous experience"; (why are you folks afraid to identify yourselves?) "Prev." Your honesty is admirable, but your intentions are wrong. You are adept, but meddling. I wonder how a person can honestly evaluate the strongest candidate if he did not internalize the values of that party and candidate. Few if any can mask their values so well. Multiplied by thousands your act weakens and will eventually destroy the electoral process. Few are so skilled. The process was never perfect, but after two hundred years of muddling through it still is the best. We deserve the government we elect.

UTAHNS ARE CONFORMISTS | 9:53 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

LOOK AT UTAH IN THE PAST WHEN MAJORITY OF THE LDS CULTURE WAS CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN AND ALL OF SUDDEN OVER NIGHT WHEN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS UPSET AND HOLLYWOOD IS AGAINST EVERYTHING THE REP's DO. THE GOOD OL LDS COMMUNITY DOES WHAT's POPULAR AND GOES AGAINST THEIR BELIEFS FOR THE SAKE OF NOT LOOKING BAD OR UNCOOL. WAY TO CONFORM YOU PECULIAR PEOPLE.

ogdenmom | 10:03 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

This requirement by the Republicans is just one more reason to be a Democrat.

J Hardy | 10:06 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

The statistic is misleading. In Salt Lake County, the county clerk's office REGULARLY disregarded party affiliation (when registering a new voter) until the Republicans closed their primary. I know of not a few voters who had to request their affiliation be recorded numerous times to have it published on the rolls.
Before it mattered for the primary (and now considering how few voters avail themselves of the privilege of the primary vote) no one paid any attention to their indicated affiliation.

Anonymous | 10:28 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I'm registered "no affiliation" BECAUSE of my LDS beliefs. I first registered to vote before my conversion to the Church and saw no reason to switch. The reason I registered that way in the first place was because I felt I didn't know enough about either party to commit one way or the other. Now I know more, and I feel because I strive for 100-percent commitment to the Gospel, that I can't honestly offer that same kind of commitment to either party. Both major parties do things I like but both do things I don't like.

This is just my choice, however, and shouldn't be taken as a directive to anyone else or being representative of every Latter-day Saint.

political cleansing | 11:41 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

as in "ethnic cleansing"

"I" asked: "So the article doesn't mention libertarians...does that mean that they are also now considered unaffiliated as well?"

I'd say so. Check with the county clerk to see if your party affiliation has been changed. I wonder if the Election Code calls for this disaffiliation?

DougB | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

This is the most encouraging article I've read in a long time about our valley. I had no idea more people are registered "unaffiliated" than Republican. Or that Repubs outnumber Dems only 5 to 1 statewide (really, in my town it's more like 200 to 1). I'm registered Republican since they force me to do so in order to participate in primaries and other sundry technicalities that I like to participate in. But I strongly agree that this silly overzealous party partisanship hurts our democracy in serious ways. Hooray for the brave unaffiliateds! If only we could get the state Republican party to understand that!

Anonymous | 12:17 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I am LDS personally and I mostly lean Democratic though I pick the person I feel is appropiate for the job, by reading what the candidate has to say

Midwestern Gal | 12:23 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Politics is not sugar -n- spice and everything nice. This is why party affiliation is a good thing. The Utah/grade school mentality does not work in the rest of the country folks and that goes for the dissenters/anit-LDS commenters as well. There are groups of devious people who would love a chance to sway the polls. This is why it is so important to pick the best candidate (who will always be affiliate with either the Reps. or the Dems. whether you like it or not) and stand behind them. Get registered with a party so you can make a real difference with your vote.

SRD | 12:35 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I have some issues with the "need" to declare what party your affliated with in order to vote in the primaries.

First; I was always under the impression that we elected people to represent their district, city, etc., not the political party. Unfortunatly in many cases in Utah the only election is the republican primary election. If I cannot vote in that election, then I do not have say in who represents me.

Second; I understand that the state pays for these elections. Since I pay for these elections how cna they argue they a a party function. If the party wants to close the elections than the party needs to pay for the cost of the elections.

Unaffiliated by choice | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Some argue that you can make a bigger difference being affiliated and active in a party than standing on the sidelines complaining about the candidates coming out of the primaries. I find this argument compelling but I feel that affiliation would imply endorsement. I am too ashamed of the Republican Party though I agree with most of their stated core principles. To "UTAHNS ARE CONFORMISTS", I've been unaffiliated all 10 years that I've been old enough to vote, it is not a passing fade.

I have a practical question. This article details the ease that unaffiliated voters can register as Republicans in order to vote in their primary. My question is: What is the quickest/easiest way to unregister after voting in the primary? I'd like to add a vote for Ron Paul in the Republican primary, but I don't want to remain registered as a Republican out of principle.

I find Paul's views on governance too extreme (even without considering the racist remarks apparently published under his name), but I think our government on a whole, and particularly at the federal level, has too much power and control, we need a libertarian movement to bring it back into balance.

M7yc3 | 12:59 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Let's just all vote for Ron Paul - the American candidate that doesn't play political games! He doesn't like the idea of a stimulus package and other band-aid quick fixes that cause inflation and reduce the value of the American dollar.

Independent Voters | 8:07 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Please, even if you lean republican go out and vote for Barack Obama.

Want a Choice, Down with Clinton | 12:10 p.m. Jan. 30, 2008

I'm with the Independent Voter. I'm a Republican moderate (some in Utah would say liberal, whatever) who does have a strong Republican preference (McCain) and a strong dislike for the Billary presidency. Romney's going to win here and it's a winner take all (so it's not like a McCain vote, Ron Paul vote, etc. would help get delegates for said candidate). The Democrat is a proportional share, so it does not matter as much who wins. Plus, I think Utah is sick of Clinton and needs to send a message that she's already been president for 8 years and WE DON'T WANT HER AT ALL. Wouldn't it be nice to have a REAL choice, or at least a choice not named Clinton.

Linda | 11:42 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008

I too would like to vote for Ron Paul, but am unaffiliated. This is my first time to vote, I have extensively researched all of the candidates in both parties, and feel that he is the best candidate that shares my views. However, I would not consider myself republican at all. And if he did not get to the general election I would not vote republican at all (at least that is what I have come to at this point). My question is do all of the states do this to the voter?

I thought I was supposed to vote for the best candidate in my mind to fill the position of president... not the best party. This made complete sense to me because not all candidates are 100% stout repub/democ in the way that they represent.

This process makes it more difficult to vote... and I think that it is an unnecessary evil for the common voter to meddle through. I just want to vote for who I think is the best candidate. That is apparently too easy.

YES, WE CAN | 9:13 a.m. Feb. 5, 2008

Awesome, I am unafilliated and was going to register as Democrat for exactly the reasons stated in the article- because I know who is taking the Republican vote in this state (sorry, Ron Paul fans-I think he is the most earnest and honest Republican but he does not draw the fluffy majority contingent even in 'independent- minded Utah')
Anyway, I am voting YES, WE CAN

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