Count My Vote Initiative to Be Discussed at WSU

October 9, 2014

OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University will host a panel discussion of the Count My Vote compromise on Oct. 13 at noon in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms. The Haven J. Barlow Fall Civic Leadership Forum is sponsored by the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service.
 
Traditionally, in Utah, candidates go through the party caucus system to try to win the nomination by gaining support from enough delegates. The Count My Vote Compromise, also known as Senate Bill 54, allows candidates who have gathered enough signatures, to go directly onto the primary ballot. Also voters not affiliated with a party will be able to participate in the primaries. This compromise goes into effect beginning with the 2016 elections.
 
“Democracy depends on the art of compromise,” said Utah State Senator Pat Jones, who will moderate the panel. “If we want the best candidates possible and the best representatives in our democracy, we must encourage everyone to vote and to understand how candidates are selected.”
 
Panelists for the forum include Representative Daniel McCay, House sponsor of Senate Bill 54; Rich McKeown, spokesman for Count My Vote; and Daryl Acumen, former vice chair of the Utah County Republican Party.
 
"It is important for the citizens of Utah to understand the impact of the Count My Vote Compromise on the candidate selection process,” said Carol McNamara, director of the Walker Institute. “The Walker Institute is dedicated to providing opportunities to inform Utahns about the political process."
 
The panel, titled “The Count My Vote Compromise: What’s Next?” will discuss the issues that still need to be resolved in the implementation of the Count My Vote Compromise, including the question, “Will the additional path to the primary for Utah’s candidate selection increase voter turnout and participation?”
 
To RSVP, contact cprice@weber.edu or 801-626-6252. For more information on the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, visit weber.edu/walkerinstitute. For more information on the Count My Vote initiative, visit countmyvoteutah.org.
 
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
 

Author:

Marcus Jensen, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • marcusjensen@weber.edu 

Contact:

Carol McNamara, Walker Institute Director
801-626-6252 • carolmcnamara@weber.edu