Washington County Democratic Party registering a crop of voters at farmers market

Zach Almaguer, left, chairman of the Washington County Democratic Party, with volunteer Rosalie Spaulding

Written by Ken Hedler

Humorist Will Rogers once said, “I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat.”

His comments still ring true almost 80 years after his death in 1935, as many would say today that the Republican Party is better organized—and financed.

Nevertheless, members of the minority party in Utah (what used to be known as the “loyal opposition”) display the basic level of organizational skills by gathering every Saturday morning at the St. George Farmers Market in Ancestor Square to register voters.

Zach Almaguer, the new chairman of the Washington County Democratic Party, said they register voters regardless of their stated party affiliation. However, if the would-be voters express “liberal” or “progressive” views, Party volunteers invite them to attend Conversation Over Easy from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday at George’s Corner, also located in Ancestor Square.

Almaguer acknowledged that increasing the influence of the Democratic Party is a gargantuan task in Washington County, where Democratic candidates rarely gain more than 25 percent of the vote for County Commission seats or the State Legislature.

According to figures provided by Melanie Abplanalp of the Washington County Clerk’s office, the voter registration rolls are lopsided in favor of the Grand Old Party. As of June 23, the number of active Republican voters totaled 40,351, compared to only 5,398 Democrats. The Independent American Party, which is to the right of the GOP, had 597 voters on the active rolls.

An analysis released by the Pew Research Center on April 7 seems to indicate that the super-Republican majority correlates with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints being the majority religion in Washington County and throughout Utah. The study states that 70 percent of Mormons either identified as Republicans or lean that way, the highest of any religious denomination in this country.

Faced with such odds, Almaguer said he does not see the goal of the Democratic organization to change the political makeup in the county.

“I think my responsibility is to rally the Party faithful,” he said.

He said the Party organization chose a great location in the downtown farmers market to increase the voter rolls, as opposed to, say, a rodeo, tent revival, or gun show.

By contrast, the farmers market is “welcoming for everyone,” Almaguer said. “I think it is a touchstone for the old and new residents. It gives you a sense of talking to your community.”

He said party volunteers register an average of 10 voters every Saturday, with approximately 9 out of 10 being newcomers to Washington County.

Almaguer, who move to Hurricane nine months ago from Eufaula, Okla., said he grew up in a Republican family, became a Libertarian after reading Ayn Rand in his teens and switched to the Democratic Party during his mid-20s.

“I saw the light,” he said. “It was revealing.”

Almaguer, who works in guest services for a lodge in Springdale, said the Democratic Party stands for equality, “not only on civil rights but also in the way we use our natural resources.”

He said the Party also supports the expansion of Medicaid in Utah. The Washington County Democratic Party also has nonprofit groups as members and works closely with Citizens for Dixie’s Future, which promotes water conservation and is questioning the need for the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline.

The County Party, under its leadership and other volunteers, is growing the rolls one newly registered Democrat at a time. For more information, log onto the party’s website at http://www.wcdpu.com.

Would-be voters may also register at the driver’s license division of the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, the County Clerk’s office or online at www.vote.utah.gov. The next election in St. George is the Aug. 11 primary for the City Council, a nonpartisan race.

Ken Hedler is a freelance writer who is based in St. George. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @KeninDixie2014.