This year’s general election in Utah offers a wonderful opportunity for voters who are not affiliated Republicans to make a difference, not only statewide but here locally. I urge you to get out and vote because it’s more important than ever.
This year, Utah has a number of ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments for your consideration, and the choices will make a difference in your life. Whether you will benefit from expanded Medicaid or not, whether you will ever use medical marijuana or not, whether you care about fairly drawn voting districts or not, the outcome of votes on these issues will affect you.
Likewise, some very fine candidates are standing for national, state, and county offices, and these candidates offer a refreshing change from the “good ole boy” politicians who are usually elected and re-elected.
Don’t let other voters take charge of your future any longer just because you don’t think your vote will count. Here’s why you can make a difference.
According to the Utah State election website, Utah has about 655,000 registered Republican voters. That seems overpowering, and it has been in the past, because for many Republicans, the default choice is to simply vote for everyone the party nominates, regardless of character or qualification.
However, Utah currently has 473,561 unaffiliated registered voters, 163,996 registered Democrats, and about 45,700 registered voters for the Libertarian, Green, Constitution, and Independent American parties combined.
So registered voters in Utah who are not Republican total about 729,000, and that’s clearly enough, statewide, to end the lopsided domination of Republicans in our national delegation and in our statehouse.
Take Washington County alone: We have 47,700 registered Republicans, but we have roughly 36,000 registered voters who are otherwise affiliated or not affiliated at all. In a close election, you can make a big difference.
Of course, Democrats, unaffiliated voters, and those otherwise affiliated are not going to come together as if by magic in a coalition to change the balance of power, but in some close races this year, getting the vote out can make a huge difference.
One example may be the race in congressional District 2 between Democrat Shireen Ghorbani and Republican Chris Stewart where polling indicates rapid tightening; more active unaffiliated and Democratic voters could send a fresh new person with strong Utah values to Washington D.C. And voter turnout will certainly be a game-changer in the District 4 congressional race between Ben McAdams and Mia Love.
You should also take a close look at the superb candidates running against longtime Republican incumbents for the Utah State House and Senate as well as county commission races here in southwest Utah. New, vigorous candidates with strong values and commitment to public service are asking for your votes. Learn more about Mark Chambers (State Senate No. 28) and Chuck Goode (State House No. 71). And you should get to know Robert Ford, who is running for the Washington County Commission. Regardless of your affiliation, wouldn’t it be nice to have some more diverse representation in our local government?
Louise Excell
Springdale
The viewpoints expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Independent.
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