By Sara Israelsen
Adam Ward, a senior from Phoenix, Ariz., attended a Republican caucus meeting as a resident, but left as a county delegate for Precinct 12. Ward, an accounting major, said he has always been a big supporter of the GOP.
“I think there needs to be changes in Congress,” he said.
Ward, and more than 30 others for Precinct 12, attended one of the many county caucus meetings throughout Utah Tuesday, March 23, 2004.
Republican voters who came to Wasatch Elementary in Provo were divided into different school classrooms by geographical region, or precinct, where they elected county delegates based on group voting.
After the pledge of allegiance and an opening prayer, Blaine Hunsaker, 12th Precinct chair, introduced the rules of the caucus and the responsibilities of each of the elected officials, chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer.
Only registered Republicans or Independents were allowed to nominate candidates for positions and vote.
After each nomination, Hunsaker called for a motion to second the nomination. Then, those in attendance voted by a show of hands and an occasional secret ballot.
Dean Sanpei of precinct 55 said the caucus is the beginning of the political process, and anyone can get involved, but to be actively involved one needs to be a registered republican.
Sanpei was elected chairman for his precinct and said he is grateful to be part of the entire process.
“My intent is not to represent the candidates to you,” he said, “but to represent you to the candidates.”
There were more than 40 people in attendance for precinct 55, many who have been involved for a long time.
Steve Densley, president of the Provo and Orem Chamber of Commerce, ran for lieutenant governor in 1992, and said he has been heavily linked in the whole process since that time.
“This is the place where decisions are made,” Densley said. “Coming to a caucus meeting is like buying your ticket to complain. This buys [us] the right to say, ”yes, we made the right decision,” or ”no, and we can complain about it.””
Britney Duckett, a freshman from Arkansas, said she came as part of an assignment, but also because she was interested in government.
“It makes me feel important, like I have a say in things,” she said.
Once the officers were decided, the group moved on to committee members and county delegates, who will represent the precinct in April and May, at the County Convention and State Convention respectively.
County delegates are responsible to choose candidates who will go to the County Republican Convention, and delegates from the convention will elect representatives at the State Republican Convention. State delegates are responsible to nominate candidates to appear on the primary ballot.
Densley said many people don?t understand caucus is a chance to decide who will represent them, and they actually have the opportunity to have a say in who will be governor.
“If you want to understand the system in Utah,” Densley said, “get involved.”
