Judge: GOP, Constitution Party exempt from open primary rule

Judge: GOP, Constitution Party exempt from open primary rule

(Jordan Allred/Deseret News/File)


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A federal judge has ruled two Utah political parties that challenged a new state election law are exempt from a requirement that they allow unaffiliated voters in their primary elections.

U.S. District Judge David Nuffer struck down the unaffiliated voter part of the law earlier this month but clarified this week that his order only applies to the state Republican Party and Constitution Party.

Party officials sued over the law, arguing they have a right to set their own political nominating process and the law violated their constitutional rights.

Nuffer upheld the rest of the 2014 law, including a part allowing candidates to bypass Utah's caucus and convention system by instead gathering signatures and competing in primary elections.

Utah's elections office said Wednesday that other political parties must still allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primaries.

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