Utah Must Stimulate Voter Turnout

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In the January 7th issues of the Deseret Morning News Utah County Democratic Party Chair Richard Davis takes a far different view than Utah's Lt. Governor when it comes to declining voter turnout across the state.  Chairman Davis provides three solid reforms that could help increase electoral competiveness and strengthen representative democracy in Utah, and thereby lead to greater voter turnout in the future.  These include:

1. Eliminate the straight party voting option. That option reinforces the perception in most of the state that there is only one party to vote for and that individual candidates don't really matter. We should encourage voters to take voting seriously rather than view it as merely pressing a party lever and going home.

2. Strip the county clerks of the power to determine ballot order. In nearly all counties, that power allows clerks to benefit the Republican Party by assuring Republican candidates always go first.

3. Create an independent redistricting commission. Both congressional and legislative districts should be apportioned to encourage, not depress, voter turnout. As long as the Republican-dominated Legislature controls the redistricting process, they will use that power to create non-competitive districts that rob party organizations of incentives to mobilize voters and result in voter disengagement.