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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Even political junkies may be left wanting by Utah's primary election Tuesday, with only a handful of races to be decided. Many of the state's intra-party battles were settled at party nominating conventions in April, including the races for Utah's four congressional seats — the state's biggest races this year.
The following are five things to know about this year's primary election:
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
The real action in this relatively quiet election year will be the November general election. Each party's candidates for the state's four congressional seats, attorney general and dozens of state legislative races already were decided at party conventions in late April. That leaves only seven state legislative races: Two in the Senate and five in the House. Voters in Utah and Washington counties also will decide between two GOP candidates for county attorney.
WHERE IS EVERYONE?
In an off-year with so few races at stake, voter turnout was expected to be relatively low. Early voting for the primary election started June 10 and wrapped up Friday. More than 80,300 people cast votes during that time by voting early or by absentee or mail-in ballots, according to the Utah lieutenant governor's office, which oversees elections. That's far below the 262,000 voters, or about 20 percent of all registered voters, who turned out in 2012's primary election to pick candidates for the White House and a U.S. Senate seat, in addition to state races. In the 2010 primary, more than 240,000 voters, or about 18 percent, cast ballots.
WHO CAN VOTE?
While party faithful narrow the field in most races during nominating conventions, the Utah primary elections are open to more voters. Democrats have an open primary, where independent, unaffiliated and even Republican voters can participate. In the Republican party, registered Republicans can cast primary votes. Unaffiliated voters can also vote in the Republican primary, but only if they opt to become Republicans at the polls on election day.
CHANGES TO SYSTEM
Right now, Utah's caucus and convention system allows candidates to bypass primary elections if they win their party's nominations with 60 percent of delegate votes. But that is set to change under new legislation that takes effect next year. Earlier this year, Gov. Gary Herbert signed legislation allowing candidates to bypass caucuses and conventions. Instead, the candidates can compete directly in a primary election by gathering voter signatures. While the change was pushed by several high-profile Republicans, the changes have rankled the state GOP establishment. James Evans, the Utah Republican Party chairman, has said the party has not ruled out filing a lawsuit to challenge the law.
REMEMBER, NOVEMEBER
The main event for 2014 will be the general election, scheduled for Nov. 4. Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson opted not to run again this year, leaving Republicans poised to win an all-GOP delegation in the U.S. House. If Republican Mia Love wins Matheson's 4th Congressional District this fall, Utah would have an all-GOP delegation for the first time since Matheson assumed office in 2001. Love's victory also would make her the first black female Republican in Congress in U.S. history. Utah's three other incumbent U.S. House members are all defending their seats this fall, but each one has a comfortable lead in fundraising and name recognition. Interim attorney general Sean Reyes, a Republican, will try to win a full term in the office this November. He's being challenged by Democrat Charles Stormont, an attorney who works in the office's civil division.
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