Utah Democrats and Republicans continue to embrace ranked choice voting
April 29 update: Since this post was written, Utah Democrats used ranked choice voting at their 2024 statewide convention, demonstrating once again that Utahns see the power of RCV to strengthen nominees and empower voters.
Over the last month, local Democratic and Republican parties in Utah have used ranked choice voting (RCV) to help determine their nominees for local offices.
At a March 31 nominating convention attended by over 1,000 delegates, the Democratic Party of Salt Lake County used RCV to choose its nominee for the County Council’s at-large seat. Three candidates ran for the nomination. After last-place finisher Deondra Brown was eliminated, Natalie Pinkney and Dustin Gettel claimed the top two spots with 51% and 49% of the vote, respectively.
While none of the three candidates surpassed 55% of the vote – requiring the top two vote-getters to face off in a June primary – the convention was able to clearly determine the two candidates with the broadest support among party leaders. There was no need for a drawn-out caucus requiring multiple rounds of in-person voting.
Two weeks later on April 13, the Republican Party of Davis County used RCV to choose its nominee for an open County Commission seat from a field of 11 candidates. John Crofts led with 31% of voters’ first choices and continued to consolidate support, ultimately winning with 60% of the vote in the final round of counting.
These uses of ranked choice voting by both parties demonstrate that support for RCV in Utah goes beyond the 10 cities that use it in local elections. Party leaders and activists see the power of RCV to nominate stronger candidates. In fact, both Utah Democrats and Republicans have long used RCV for party nominations, dating back to the 2004 statewide Republican convention. More recent uses have included the 2020 statewide conventions for both parties, as well as several county conventions for both parties that same year.
County and statewide political parties in Utah should build on these successful uses of RCV, giving their supporters more choice and strengthening their nominees! To support RCV in the Beehive State, visit Utah Ranked Choice Voting today!
