Who can participate in the Republican Party’s caucus night on March 5, 2024?
Any registered Republican voter with residency in the state of Utah may participate in their Republican Party neighborhood caucus. Other political parties may have different rules for their caucuses. Any resident of Utah who is not registered or is not affiliated (unaffiliated) with a party may choose to register and affiliate with the Republican party and participate. These individuals are called “qualified participants” and may speak, vote, and run for precinct offices or delegate positions.
What if I am under the age of 18 but will be 18 by the date of the general election in November?
If you are under the age of 18 but will be 18 by the date of the general election, you may participate in caucus. Because your voter preregistration status is confidential before your 18th birthday, we will have you fill out a new voter registration form and affiliate with the Republican Party at your precinct caucus before you can participate.
May I change my party affiliation status to Republican in order to participate?
Not anymore. State law closes voter affiliation changes after a certain date each year; this year it’s January 9, 2024. You can find more information about this here. If you are registered with any other party besides Republican, you will not be able to change your party affiliation to participate in the Republican Party caucus. We encourage you to attend the caucus night of the party with which you are registered, which may be on the same night or a different night. (As an example, the Democrat party of Utah will be holding their caucus on the same night of March, 5th.)
If you are not affiliated with any party or not registered to vote, then you may register as a Republican at any time up until the night of caucus and still participate in the Republican party’s neighborhood caucuses.
Who may attend a neighborhood caucus?
Anyone may attend and observe the neighborhood caucus election as long as they do not commit a breach of decorum. However, individuals not eligible to participate as registered Utah Republicans would not be eligible to vote.
If instances of disruption or breaches of decorum occur, a person may be asked to leave by the Precinct Host (usually the “Precinct Chair”).
How does affiliating with the Republican Party on election night work?
Residents living within precinct boundaries, who will be at least 18 by the general election and are not registered Republicans, can complete the voter registration form and affiliate as a Republican during the neighborhood caucus election. The Precinct Host will collect the registration forms and forward them to the County Party with the precinct packet at the end of the meeting.
What date and time is Caucus?
Caucus is on March 5, 2024 starting at 7pm. It will last approximately until 9pm. We encourage folks to arrive early.
Can I pre-register?
Yes. We strongly encourage all interested caucus participants to pre-register for caucus. This will significantly speed up the time for you to be determined to be a qualified participant. If you do not preregister you will not get early election results emailed to you and you will have to register in person.
Where is my precinct caucus located?
Visit Precinct Locator
Can I drop off my ballot and then leave?
Yes. You may drop off your ballot at your caucus and then leave under the absentee provisions for other voters who are not able to attend.
Can I drop off my ballot at any caucus?
No. You must bring your ballot to your caucus.
Is there any voter verification when I drop off my ballot at my caucus?
Yes. You will be registered for the caucus, which includes verifying your voter registration as a Republican who lives in that precinct, just like you would if you were attending in person. After you have completed this process, your ballot will be accepted.
How are you going to look up my voter information?
The state party is providing each caucus location with a system to look up your voter status in the Lieutenant Governor’s database. The LG’s office is where your official voter registration status as well as your party affiliation is documented. You may check out your own voter registration status in advance at vote.utah.gov.
How do I check my voter information?
You can find this information at vote.utah.gov.
Where do I update my voter information?
You can update your voter information at vote.utah.gov. However, please note that some updates to your voter registration information, and particularly party affiliation, may not be able to be updated since we have passed the January 9, 2024 deadline, as prescribed by law.
I cannot attend because of a scheduling conflict or physical disability. How do I vote?
You may give your ballot to another registered Republican in your precinct to bring to the caucus on your behalf. You will need to provide that neighbor or family member a photocopy of your government issued ID, such as a Utah Driver’s License. If the address on your license does not match your current address, make sure that your neighbor is aware of the discrepancy. We will use the address on your voter registration (not your license, if they don’t match) to verify that you are eligible to vote in that precinct. Please note that you will submit two ballots. The first ballot will be for the Presidential Preference Poll. The second ballot will be for your state and county delegates and precinct officers.
Should I preregister if I am going to vote absentee?
Yes. Even if you plan to submit an absentee ballot, you should preregister to speed up the process to verify your ballot brought in by someone else or submitted through the UOCAVA process. You will be able to mark during the preregistration process that you plan to vote absentee.
Where do I find the ballot to vote absentee?
For the presidential preference poll, you will be able to print off a ballot from the Utah Republican Party’s website. All eligible candidates will be listed on the ballot. No write-in candidates will be accepted. When the ballot is available, we will put the link in these FAQs. This ballot should be sealed in an envelope with your signature on the back.
To vote remotely for your state delegates or precinct leadership, you can use a template that will be available on the Utah Republican Party’s website. However, it is your responsibility to inform yourself who is running to be a delegate or precinct leadership in your precinct. You may also vote for your neighbor to be a delegate who has not “officially” decided to run in advance. This ballot should be sealed in an envelope with your signature on the back.
If you are attending in person, you are welcome to bring the ballot found on the State Party’s website, but ballots will also be available onsite.
What if I don’t have access to a computer or printer to print off an absentee ballot?
You may use any piece of paper as an alternative way to write down your choice in the Presidential Preference Poll and your preferences for local officers and delegates and submit that as your absentee ballot. This piece of paper should be sealed in an envelope you have signed on the back.
Can I give my ballot to someone else who is not in my precinct?
No. You must give your ballot to someone in your precinct.
I am currently overseas and will be for the next 3 months. How do I vote?
The Utah Republican Party will permit registered Republican voters from Utah to participate in the caucus by voting absentee under the same rights and processes available to UOCAVA voters in normal Utah elections. Such covered voters may request to vote via email absentee ballot similar to the UOCAVA process. You will submit your ballot to the State Party who will distribute the ballot to the relevant precinct. Please note that you will submit two ballots. The first ballot will be for the Presidential Preference Poll. The second ballot will be for your state and county delegates and precinct officers.
Note: UOCAVA specifically applies to voters who are out of state (or the country) on a military, religious or service mission for an extended period of time or are living overseas but are still registered voters in the state of Utah. Please read more about the UOCAVA process to learn if you qualify. If you are in the state of Utah but unable to attend caucus, please refer to these instructions instead.
Here are the steps:
- First, you should preregister for caucus. You will mark yourself as absentee when going through the preregistration process.
- Next you will forward that email with a request to vote via the UOCAVA process to uocava@utgop.org. You should clearly state why you are requesting to vote via UOCAVA, which must comply with the rules for UOCAVA voters in normal Utah elections.
- You should include in that email your election choices clearly laid out like this:
- Presidential Preference Poll: Candidate Name
- Precinct Chair: Candidate Name
- Precinct Vice Chair: Candidate Name
- Precinct Secretary: Candidate Name
- Precinct Treasurer: Candidate Name
- County Delegate: Candidate Name(s)
- State Delegate: Candidate Name(s)
- You will receive a confirmation that your request has been approved and your vote accepted.
Please note that if you request to vote UOCAVA but you are not eligible, you will be referred to vote absentee via the rules for other types of absentee voters.
Who can run to be a state delegate?
Any registered Republican who is a resident of their precinct may stand for election as a state delegate. A person cannot be a simultaneous officer, delegate, candidate or registered affiliated voter of any other rival political party. If you are under the age of 18 but will be 18 by the date of the general election in November and you have successfully registered to participate in the caucus, you may also run to be a state delegate.
Who can run to be a county delegate or precinct leadership?
The same qualifications for state delegates apply to county delegates and precinct leadership. There may be some additional requirements in your county Republican Party’s bylaws. Please consult your county Republican Party for more information.
How will votes for delegates and precinct leadership be counted?
There are several methodologies that counties use to choose delegates per the state party’s bylaws. It is up to your county Republican party to determine which voting method they will use.
How are delegate and precinct leadership election results determined, and what happens in the case of a tie?
These elections will be determined by majority vote. Ties will be determined by a coin toss. Precinct Hosts will designate two or more non-candidate ballot counters and inform each candidate they may provide a poll watcher. Violations of these procedural rules will not be a basis for challenging delegate credentials. This does not prohibit county parties from disciplining party officers for such violations.
How do alternate delegates work?
Alternate state and county delegates may be elected if allowed by the respective county party’s governing documents.
What happens at a caucus meeting?
The State Party sets the agenda. The individual precincts do not adopt or amend the agenda. If multiple precincts meet in the same location they may complete all required business in one body prior to the Nominations and Elections section of the agenda. Only the business set forth in the agenda may be conducted at this meeting. Each meeting will follow the following format:
- Welcome/Introductions
- Prayer
- Pledge
- Reading of the State or County Platform
- Review of Rules, Procedures, Duties of Precinct and Delegate Positions
- Nominations and Elections for:
- Precinct Chair
- Precinct Vice Chair
- Precinct Secretary and/or Treasurer
- State Delegate
- County Delegate
- Presidential Preference Poll
- Other Business as directed by State and/or County Parties
- Select Election Judges
- Adjournment of the Meeting
What is a Caucus Host?
The Caucus Host is the person who administers the caucus. They are chosen by the county party through a process that is outlined in that county party’s bylaws. The newly elected Precinct Chair will take office at the conclusion of the meeting. The Caucus Host will be responsible for processing the meeting results as instructed by the State Party.
Who sets the rules for neighborhood caucuses/elections?
The State Party, through its governing documents, sets the rules to ensure a standardized procedure and a fair playing field for all attendees. The rules cannot be suspended in whole or in part. Robert’s Rules of Order apply in specific cases, but won’t be used if they conflict with the Neighborhood Caucus Election Rules. The State Party will also provide each precinct a packet with all needed materials and extra instructions for a successful caucus.
When can Robert’s Rules of Order be used during caucus?
Robert’s Rules of Order will apply in limited situations as follows:
- Only the business contained in the call to the meeting can be taken up.
- The provisions of the call, specifying the meeting’s purpose and those invited to attend it, have a force equivalent to bylaws of an organized society; that is, they define the subject matter within which motions are in order, and determine who has the right to participate as members.
- The State Party has the sole right to set the agenda and the business to be conducted.
- The State Party shall select the criteria for the meetings and create the rules.
- The State Party documents define who can be a participant.
- Other rules are seldom necessary unless it is desirable to modify the general rules as to allowable length and number of speeches.
- Any person at a mass meeting who, after being advised, persists in an obvious attempt to divert the meeting to a different purpose from that for which it was called, or who otherwise tries to disrupt the proceedings, becomes subject to the disciplinary procedure.
- The participants have the right to conduct the business.
- The purpose of the meeting shall be read to all participants.
- Only motions that pertain to the purpose of the meeting are in order.
- There is no appeal from the ruling of the chair’s decision in assigning the floor.
- Debate follows the general rules of parliamentary law.
- No one can speak on an issue more than once until all others have had an opportunity to speak.
- A motion to Adjourn is out of order while business is pending.
- When the business for which the meeting was called has apparently been completed and no question is pending, a motion to adjourn is in order.
What are the rules for debate/speaking?
Every qualified participant has an opportunity to speak to an issue once before anyone can speak twice. If time limits on debate/speaking become necessary they can be imposed by a majority vote of the participants.
How is someone nominated to run for delegate or precinct officer?
Only participants can nominate, and only qualified participants can be nominated. Nominations can be made in advance or be taken from the floor; seconds are not necessary. A participant may self-nominate, and nominees are not required to be in attendance.
When will nominations be closed?
The Precinct Host may close nominations for delegate or precinct office only when no further nominations are offered.
Republican Presidential Candidates are deemed nominated if they have properly filed with the Utah Republican Party. No additional presidential nominees may be added to the ballot. Write-in candidates will not be counted.
How long can candidate speeches be?
Candidate speeches for each office are limited to a maximum of three minutes per office or delegate seat, evenly divided among the candidates, or thirty seconds each, whichever is less, unless modified by a majority vote. Disclosures of candidates with regard to platform planks, employment, personal views, support for individual candidates, etc. are in order.
How will voting for delegates and precinct officers work? What happens in the case of a tie?
Voting for delegates and precinct officers will be by secret ballot in contested races. In the event that three or more candidates are nominated for the same precinct office or the same delegate position, the caucus may use multiple ballots or preference voting to choose precinct officers or delegates. One ballot will be made available to each participant for contested races. The precinct host will announce the vote counts.
How will voting in the Presidential Preference Poll work?
Each qualified participant or absentee voter will submit a ballot that marks their choice. The candidates shall not be ranked. Only one candidate shall be chosen. Ballots that mark more than one candidate will not be counted. There will be only one round of voting. Results will be released as statewide totals on a percentage basis.
What happens if there is only one nominee for delegate or a precinct officer position?
Election results can be declared by acclamation if only one nominee is submitted for any given office.
How is voting handled for absentee ballots, and what information is required?
Absentee ballots must be accompanied by a photocopy of the voter’s government-issued ID. The Precinct Host verifies voter registration status and affiliation. The absentee ballot should be sealed in an envelope with the signature of the voter on the back. The Precinct Host will open the absentee envelopes at the time of counting the ballots of in person qualified participants. A voided blank copy of the ballot will be posted conspicuously inside the precinct location throughout the registration and meeting.
How is the number of state delegates determined for each county?
The State Party determines how many state delegates a county receives based on Relative Republican Strength. This allocation is made every four years, aligned with the most recent gubernatorial election. The county determines how many state delegates are allocated to each precinct based on their own county Republican party bylaws. To look up how many state delegates are allocated to your precinct, please refer to http://utgop.org/caucus where this information will be available in early February.
How is the number of county delegates determined?
The number of county delegates is determined by the county Republican party. Please refer to the bylaws of your county party for more information.
How will the candidate meet and greet work?
The State Party recommends that county parties provide for and advertise a one-hour meet-and-greet with precinct candidates between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, directly before the neighborhood caucus election. Whether county parties choose to have this candidate meet and greet is up to the discretion of the county party leadership.
Why are we doing a Presidential Preference Poll?
Meeting with our neighbors to engage in the political process facilitates more productive political discourse. We want to ensure that all presidential candidates have the opportunity to engage with voters and for voters to meet face to face with their neighbors to discuss our state and country’s political future. All registered Republicans as outlined above may participate.
How will the Presidential Preference Poll be counted and reported?
The ballots will be counted by the precinct leadership in the room. You are welcome to stay after caucus to watch this process. These results will be given to county party leadership, who will validate the results and enter them into a centralized database administered by the State Party. Before any ballots are officially totalled, the county party leadership will have the opportunity to review.
How will delegate and precinct officer votes be counted and reported?
Delegate and precinct officer elections will be counted as rounds of voting take place. Each candidate may have a poll watcher. Only non-candidates are allowed to count ballots. The results will be announced at the meeting after each round, as applicable. Final results will be reported in a methodology similar to the presidential preference poll.
How are you going to release the results?
The results will be released first by email to any preregistered caucus attendee who has provided their email address. Results will then be released online on the state party’s website and social media.