Caucus system is ‘unconstitutional,’ says Sen. Thatcher

SALT LAKE CITY — One of the state’s past biggest defenders of the caucus system said he’s starting to lose faith in it.

Utah Sen. Dan Thatcher, R-West Valley City, has been a supporter of the system for 20 years. He was even elected through the caucus system.

Additionally, he voted against legislative measures that made it possible for candidates to get on the ballot by signature-gathering instead of by caucus.

However, he said a new presentation brought some issues with the system to light.

“When you look at how many people do not have the capacity to physically participate. You can say, well … you can vote remotely now. You can do proxy votes, right? But there’s no credentialing, there’s no tracking of that. There’s no way to know. There’s no security on these elections whatsoever.”

He said many of the current seated state senators came in through special elections. Elections that are through party delegates, meaning voters don’t ever see them on their ballots.

“Probably unconstitutional and someone could probably prove it in court,” said Thatcher.

Despite these issues, he doesn’t believe there’s appetite in the Legislature to change the caucus system. The governor has also said he would veto any bills that would change the system.

Related:

• Utah County Clerk defends decision to disclose voting method used by several lawmakers
• Sen. Thatcher: “I feel like I’m the only conservative on that floor”