On March 23rd delegates from each local caucus will be chosen to represent you at the state nominating convention in Salt Lake City to determine the nominees for U.S. Senate and other elected offices. It is crucial that you attend your caucus meeting and make your voice heard. The Constitution of the United States mandates all citizens the freedom and the duty to decide who we, the people, want to represent us in our democratic government.

During the caucus meetings, individuals have the opportunity to voice opinions and concerns and to discuss potential party nominees. Then, delegates are chosen from each precinct. These delegates go to the state nominating convention to vote on their party’s nominee. By state Republican Party bylaws, any candidate that gets 60% of the delegate votes automatically becomes the Republican nominee.

Do Republicans in Utah want Senator Bennett to be the only choice as the GOP nominee? If he receives 60% of the delegate votes, the Republicans of Utah will have no other choice in November’s election. If, on the other hand, Senator Bennett does not receive 60% of the delegate votes, a primary election will take place. A primary election is essential in the constitutional process because it allows all Utah Republicans (not just a few nominating delegates) to vote for their nominee.

Republicans and Democrats will hold their caucus meetings at a designated location on Tuesday, March 23rd. All meeting times are at 7 PM. Every citizen has the right to attend the meeting for his or her precinct. If you are not a registered voter, you can register at your caucus meeting.

There is a two-step process to determine where your caucus meeting will be held. First, find your precinct. To do this, go to www.cachecounty.org/elections and click on Precinct Maps. Then, locate the Republican or Democratic caucus location for your precinct. To do this, go back to the same website and click on Caucus Information.

The caucus meetings are of such importance that leaders of the LDS Church have encouraged their members to attend. A letter from the First Presidency was recently read in all LDS congregations throughout Utah advocating attendance at the caucus meetings.

I attended a caucus meeting in 2008 in a precinct that has over 1,000 voters. Only 12 people were in attendance. This means that only 1% of the voters represented the entire precinct. How do you feel about allowing such a small minority to decide who your nominee will be in November? This is why I strongly encourage all citizens of Cache Valley to find your caucus location and attend the meeting on March 23rd at 7 PM.

Dr. William W. Bradford
Smithfield, Utah