Utah voters share thoughts on Tuesday’s caucus

Did you receive a push from us? Here’s the live interview with Taylor Morgan who hosted a Utah GOP caucus last night and spoke with Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News about the experience.

 

SALT LAKE CITY — On Super Tuesday, Utah republican voters attended caucuses in their areas. KSL NewsRadio’s Aimee Cobabe spoke with voters at one caucus who shared their reasons for attending and their opinions of the experience. 

‘The only way to have a voice’

One man who did not state his name said Tuesday’s was his first caucus. 

“It was a mess … nobody really seemed to know what they were doing. And then when they finally told me what the room was, it was the wrong room,” he said.

Ultimately, he ended up wandering around until he found the right location. 

He said he previously voted as an Independent, however, after he moved to Utah, he registered as a Republican. 

“The only way to get your opinion in is in the Republican party,” he said. 

Similarly, Leann Anderson told KSL NewsRadio that it was her first Republican caucus. She said she has attended past Democratic caucuses, however, she has since changed her registration. 

“I feel like in Utah, it’s the only way to have a voice,” said Anderson. “I’m not trying to spoil the primary, I just am trying to get the best person elected.” 

Additionally, Anderson said that she wished the Republican party had hosted a primary rather than a caucus. 

“It’s a lot easier to vote in a primary,” said Anderson. 

‘Caucuses and voting are a citizen’s duty’

Nancy Sorenson, another voter, told KSL that she feels it’s important as a citizen to be a part of determining November’s candidates. 

Sorenson said that she had experienced previous caucuses. The last time she attended one was at Alta High School. While she did not specify which election or year, she said the experiences were comparable. 

“It was kind of like this. Kind of disorganized and difficult,” said Sorenson. 

She explained that she had pre-registered, however, she could not find where she could pick up her ballot. 

“There are no signs telling you where to go, so we’re just in this big long line,” said Sorenson. 

Another woman, who did not state her name, said she attended the caucus in hopes of becoming a delegate, or at least, learning who the delegates are, in hopes that they will listen “to the people and go and elect officials that are listening.” 

She said she has been involved in trying to restore Utah’s previous flag. 

“I have been involved in watching our legislature and seeing what’s going on. And I am very, very disappointed in our elected officials,” said the woman. “They are not listening to the people.” 

Finally, South Jordan resident Lindsay Teneyck said that she feels primaries are more important. 

“That’s really who we get on the ballot, so I would hope that everyone would know how important caucuses are,” said Teneyck. 

She said that while it was taking more time than she hoped, she thought it was worth it. 

“It’s a small price to pay … for our freedom,” said Teneyck. 

Related: ‘The tech just wasn’t there:’ One Utah Republican’s caucus experience