A state legislative committee declined to hear complaints about the Utah Republican Party’s caucus-night presidential poll for the second time on Wednesday, citing biased presentations, the independence of party organizations and an alleged conflict of interest with the committee chair.
“What we heard here today in this committee, loud and clear, is that they don’t feel like they have any responsibility or obligation to hear from these people,” Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, said.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Salt Lake City, Rep. Mike Petersen, R-North Logan, and Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi, argued the presentation materials from one critic — Daryl Acumen, a former GOP vice chair in Utah County — were biased against the caucus system.
“This is a conversation that does need to happen, but not in this way,” Gricius said. “We need to come at it from a clean slate.”
The state GOP’s “presidential preference poll,” held on Super Tuesday, March 5, was criticized by lawmakers and voters for being inaccessible and insecure. Website crashes and disorganization contributed to a low turnout of less than 10% and the disenfranchisement of Utah voters who were unable to attend the caucus proceedings at schools across the state, according to Acumen.
Read more about responses to the caucus night and the cancelled presentation.
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