Wednesday we’re exploring what’s at stake in the debate over two contrasting attempts to reform Utah’s unique political caucuses. One of those efforts, Count My Vote, is a ballot measure that would replace the caucuses with a direct primary to “increase voter participation and broaden engagement.” On the other hand, a Utah state senator proposes caucus reforms that he says will balance the caucus and primary systems. A panel of guests will join us to explore how the state’s electoral system can best serve its citizens.
GUESTS
- Kirk Jowers is co-founder of the Count My Vote initiative and the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah.
- Holly Richarson is a former state representative, a conservative blogger and a current candidate for Utah's 57th legislative district.
- Terry Gildea is KUER's news director.
- Robert Gehrke reports on government for the Salt Lake Tribune.
- Christopher Karpowitz is the Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy and an Associate Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University