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Reforming Utah's Caucus System

"Lowjumpingfrog" via Flickr CC http://bit.ly/1ehn99D

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
Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.