SALT LAKE CITY — Do you find yourself talking back to the car radio as you listen to the news? Are you tempted to throw things at the television as you see reports of various antics of members of the Utah State Legislature? Dee Rowland, government liaison for the Diocese of Salt Lake City doesn’t want you to wait for the November election to do something about it. Utah’s election cycle begins this month with candidate filing, followed by the party caucuses. These are sometimes referred to as neighborhood mass meetings or voting precinct caucuses. There are some 2,000 voting precincts in the State of Utah and each will hold one caucus for each political party. All of these gatherings will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. They usually last approximately an hour. Locations will be listed in the Sunday newspapers on March 23 and posted on the web sites of the political parties. The main purpose of the caucuses is to elect delegates to the conventions and precinct officers (who serve on the county party Central Committees). Delegates, meeting in convention, then select which candidates will be the nominees for each respective party at every level of government. Precinct caucuses are the most fundamental grass roots level of civic involvement in Utah and participants not only play a critical role in nominating candidates, but guide important party policy and public policy. They are truly your chance to be heard. In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. (See "The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" at www.faithfulcitizenship.org) Participating in public policy will enable you to read, listen, and watch the news knowing that you have done your part to make Utah a better place!
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