Editors Note: This article was originally published in the Feb. 28, 2024 issue of the Chronicle Progress. Some information may be outdated.
Utah’s presidential primary is less than a week away on March 5, though the two major political parties are holding their respective votes much differently.
Republicans will be holding a precinct level caucus, polling party faithful on their choice for Utah’s GOP presidential nominee.
Those wishing to participate must be a registered Republican and also must register with the state GOP by visiting UTGOP.org online and selecting “preregister for caucus.”
What will happen to the vote tallies—since the party itself will presumably collect those—is not entirely clear.
According to a Feb. 24 update on the state GOP’s website, “Presidential absentee ballots will be counted at the same time as in-person ballots, at the end of caucus (no earlier than 8pm). Absentee voters are encouraged to ensure that their ballots are sealed in an envelope with their signature on the back.”
What happens afterward is not said. Normally, county election officials would count ballots, report early and final numbers to state election officials, a canvass would be held and a final vote certified.
GOP voters who need help finding their precinct can visit https:// precinctportal.org/precinct/ to locate where their caucus will be held.
According to GOP officials, the Republican presidential preference poll will feature a contest between former President Donald Trump, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and long-shot candidate Ryan Binkley, a Texas pastor and businessman.
The GOP caucus is closed to anyone not a registered Republican.
But the Democratic caucus is an open primary where registered Democrats can vote alongside independents and unaffiliated voters. Voters already registered as Democrats receive a ballot from the county. Also, voters not affiliated with the party can request a ballot be sent to them.
Millard County election officials will manage that vote.
Already 272 ballots have gone out and about 27 have been returned. The results of the Democratic race will go to state election officials once the vote is tallied.
Democrat Precinct caucuses, meanwhile, will be held to select party delegates and precinct officials in the following locations on March 5: All East Millard precincts (Fillmore 1 and 2, Holden, Scipio, Meadow, Kanosh and Flowell) will meet at the former Armory building in Fillmore, 35 West Center Street. Leamington, Lynndyl and Oak City voters will meet in the Leamington Town Hall. All other West Millard precincts (Delta 17 and 18, Deseret/ Oasis, Hinckley, Sutherland and Abraham) will meet in Room 105 of the Millard School District Building.
According to a sample ballot of Democratic presidential candidates available on Millard County’s election website, the Democratic contest features incumbent President Joseph Biden, and aspirants Dean Phillips, Frank Lozada, Gabriel Cornejo and Marianne Williamson.
Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations: Millard County Clerk’s Office 765 S Hwy 99, Ste. 6 Fillmore, UT 84631 and Millard County Satellite Offices, 71 S 200 W in Delta.
Meanwhile, local GOP honchos have already been busy with one race this month—choosing a replacement for Millard County’s interim treasurer. GOP delegates met in Fillmore on Feb. 7 to select between Kristine Camp, already a chief deputy in the treasurer’s office, and Jody Anderson, Delta City’s current treasurer.
GOP members voted to install Camp as the interim—county commissioners appointed her officially last Tuesday—though Camp will still face Anderson in the June 25 Republican primary election, not to be confused with the March 5 primary.
