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OGDEN — Delegates to the Utah Democratic Party convention voted Saturday to stick with the convention/caucus system to select candidates, rejecting arguments that primary elections are more inclusive for the general public.
Meeting at the Ogden Eccles Convention Center, delegates voted narrowly to keep the 117-year-old convention/caucus system.
Fifty-three percent of delegates voted to continue to use the convention/caucus system to select candidates, rejecting arguments that primary elections help establish name recognition and aid fundraising capabilities.
Earlier in the day, Democratic Party Executive Director Matt Lyon told delegates the issue came down to two basic questions: "How do we as Democrats select a nominating system that elects more Democratic candidates?" and "Which system better embodies the principles of the Democratic Party?"
Some like Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake, said direct primaries would exclude candidates that don't have deep pockets.
"If it wasn’t for the caucus system, I wouldn’t be here," Robles said.
But others such as Dorothy Engelman, chairwoman of the Washington County Democratic Party, said she had to drive 350 miles to participate in Saturday's party function.
"Primaries don't discriminate by geography," she said.
