Clean Elections for Utah

Find Your Utah Caucus

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Caucus Rules

See also Caucus Rules on the Precinct Portal

Caucus Rules also available as PDF download

Opening

The county parties shall organize Neighborhood Caucus Elections according to the following rules, set forth in Bylaws Section 9.0 A and B, as well as those rules approved by the State Central Committee as provided in Section 9.0 C. These rules have been designed to promote a welcoming, open, and efficient neighborhood caucus election experience.

The State Party Constitution states:

Each individual caucus shall be open to any Utah citizen who resides in the precinct, who will be at least 18 by the time of that year’s general election. The State Party, through its Bylaws, may restrict participation and voting in the precinct caucuses based on party affiliation.

The State Party Bylaws state:

A. Qualifications and Disqualifications of state and county delegates. Each individual caucus shall be open to the public. Each participant shall be:

A Utah citizen who resides in the precinct and 18 years old by that year’s general election A registered Republican Party member as referenced in Article I of the party constitution or who registers as Republican at the individual Caucus meeting.

Precinct Hosts

Each county party shall designate individuals to conduct its neighborhood caucus elections per its governing documents. The newly elected Precinct Chair will take office at the conclusion of the meeting. The Precinct Host will be responsible for processing the results of the meeting in accordance with instructions from the State Party.

Election Attendance

Anyone may attend and observe the neighborhood caucus election as long as they do not commit a breach of decorum. In the event one or more such instances occur, the individual may be asked to leave by the Precinct Host.

Ability to Participate

Those residents living within the precinct boundaries, who will be at least 18 by the time of the general election, who are registered with the Republican Party, including any residents affiliating that night, and who are properly credentialed are considered qualified participants and may speak, vote, and run for precinct offices and/or delegate positions (“participants”).

Accommodation of Disabilities

Each county party shall comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as set forth in Bylaw Section 12.0, by providing full and equal access to caucus activities. Compliance by the county parties shall include providing reasonable accommodations for any individual who desires to participate in the caucus. The participant must provide seven (7) days’ advance written notice to the county party of the request for the accommodation. Such request shall contain information sufficient for the party to determine how to best accommodate the individual in their desire to fully participate in the caucus.

Affiliating Election Night

Those residents living within the precinct boundaries who will be at least 18 by the time of the general election and not a registered Republican may complete a voter registration form and affiliate as a Republican on the night of the neighborhood caucus election. The Precinct Host will collect the registration form and forward it to the County Party with the precinct packet at the conclusion of the meeting.

Rules of Order

The State Party, through its governing documents, sets the rules for neighborhood caucus elections. The rules are designed to create a standardized procedure throughout the State and to ensure a fair and level playing field for all attendees. These rules cannot be suspended in whole or in part.

Robert’s Rules of Order will apply in limited situations (see appendix A).

Robert’s Rules of Order will not apply if they conflict with these Neighborhood Caucus Election Rules. In addition to these rules, the State Party will provide a packet for each precinct that includes all required materials and additional administrative instructions deemed necessary to facilitate a successful neighborhood caucus election.

Caucus Meeting Order of Business

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 (County Parties may change the order) for:
  Precinct Chair
  Precinct Vice Chair
  Precinct Secretary and/or Treasurer
  State Delegate
  County Delegate
Other Business as directed by State and/or County Parties
Select Election Judges
Adjournment of the Meeting

Registration

The State Party shall provide the county parties with either an electronic check-in system or the ability to check-in a participant on a pre-populated form that already includes the relevant voter information. This will ensure a prompt and efficient check-in process. While the State Party strongly recommends the electronic check-in method, a county party and/or individual participant can choose whether to participate. Blank forms will also be available for those participants who opt-out of the electronic check-in and are not included on the pre-populated form, for whatever reason. County parties are responsible to collect the pre-populated forms and return them to the State Party, which will then run them through an optical scanner. County parties WILL NOT need to manually input participant information.

Additionally, the State Party will provide an online pre-registration system for participants. Those participants who pre-register will be required to provide their home address, phone number, and email. The online pre-registration system will be available through each individual precinct website, and precinct members will only be able to view their own detailed voter information. Precinct members will only be able to pre-register for themselves. Each precinct website will allow all verified precinct members to view the contact information for candidates in that precinct.

Rules for Debate/Speaking

Everyone 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.

Nominations

Nominations for each office shall be taken from the floor, in addition to those who pre-registered. Seconds are not necessary. Only participants may nominate. Only those qualified to participate may be nominated. A participant may self-nominate. A nominee need not be in attendance. The Precinct Host may close nominations for an office only when no further nominations are offered.

Elections

Candidate speeches for each office shall be limited to a total 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.

Voting 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.

Election results can be declared by acclamation if only one nominee is submitted for any given office. One ballot shall be made available to each participant for contested races. The Precinct Host shall announce the vote counts.

Precincts may determine whether to use a majority or plurality vote. Ties shall be determined by a coin toss. Precinct Hosts shall designate two or more non-candidate ballot counters and inform each candidate they may provide a poll watcher. Violations of these procedural rules shall not be basis for challenging delegate credentials. This does not prohibit county parties from disciplining party officers for such violations.

The State Party recommends each County have a voting method that is fast, fair, and representative of the precinct.

Alternate delegates shall be elected if allowed by the respective county party’s governing documents.

Same Day Balloting

A precinct-specific ballot will be available on the precinct website 24 hours before the neighborhood caucus election convenes. Candidates on the ballot will be any registered Republican who pre-registers to run for a precinct office or delegate seat. The ability to print the online ballot will only be available to a registered Republican from that specific precinct. The ballot will not include the individual’s name, but will include their unique Voter ID, number or another suitable unique identifier at the top of the ballot. Individuals are only allowed to vote using their unique ballot. No copies of ballots are allowed.

The Precinct Host and ballot counters will verify that only unique same-day ballots will be cast at the neighborhood caucus election by verifying that no duplicate Voter ID numbers or other identifiers are present at the top of the ballots. The ballot will accommodate write-in candidates. The ballot will not be signed, to protect the right to a secret ballot. The ballot will be folded and inserted into an envelope, the envelope will be sealed, and the voter will affix his signature across the envelope seal. A copy of a government-issued ID – front and back – will accompany the envelope.

A person may bring to caucus no more than three (3) ballots on behalf of others. The person to whom the voter’s envelope and copy of the ID is entrusted to shall be responsible to deliver the envelope to the Precinct Host and to destroy the copy of the ID or to return it to the voter. The State Party will assume no liability for the information on the copy of the voter’s ID.

The Precinct Host and ballot counters will verify the identity of the voter using the copy of the voter’s ID to ensure the individual meets all regular requirements for participation in that precinct’s neighborhood caucus election. The Precinct Host and ballot counters will verify the signature on the envelope against the signature on the copy of the government-issued ID, but will not take possession of the copy of the ID. Once the signature is verified the ballot will be certified.

The ballot will be used in all rounds of voting.

A voided blank copy of the ballot will be posted conspicuously inside the precinct location throughout the registration and meeting.

Out of State Military and Religious Service Same Day Balloting

A registered Republican who is serving outside the state of Utah on active military duty, or who is engaged in religious service outside the state of Utah, who is unable to attend their caucus meeting, may contact the State Party and their precinct chair and vice-chair to request approval to cast a ballot in his or her precinct elections. The request must be made at least 72 hours before the caucus begins. Additionally the Republican must specify what specifically is prohibiting them from attending in person.

The precinct chair will verify that the person is a registered Republican and otherwise eligible to participate in the election. Once that person is verified, the person may cast his or her ballot via email to the precinct chair and vice chair. The ballot will include the names of those persons who have pre-registered as candidates as well an option for write-in candidates. The Precinct chair will print the email message (which becomes the ballot) and seal the ballot in an envelope affixed with his signature and implement the ballot in the caucus meeting. The precinct host will include the ballot in all rounds of voting. If the precinct chair and vice-chair both agree that the ballot does not qualify and meet the above specified requirements, they may spoil the ballot. The deputy host [vice chair] along with the precinct host will verify that the ballot is implemented properly.

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.

Appendix A

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.

Precinct Positions

See also Precinct Positions on the Precinct Portal

Precinct Positions also available as a PDF download

Precinct Chair – 2 Year Term

Roles:
Leader of the party in the precinct
Member of the County Central Committee
State Delegate (in some counties, see State Delegate responsibilities)
County Delegate (in some counties, see County Delegate responsibilities)

Responsibilities:
Plan and run the next Neighborhood Caucus Night
Attend quarterly County Central Committee Meetings
Organize and lead party initiatives and efforts in the precinct
Recruit new members of the party within the precinct
Communicate with precinct members and delegates
Promote and support party candidates in the general election

Votes on:
Party office positions:
State Central Committee Members
County Audit Committee Members
County Constitution & Bylaws Committee Members
Senate or Legislative District Leadership Positions

Precinct Vice Chair – 2 Year Term

Roles:
Act as chair in the absence of the Precinct Chair
Assist chair in running the precinct
Member of County Central Committee
County Delegate (in some counties, see County Delegate responsibilities)

Responsibilities:
Assist in the next Neighborhood Caucus Night
Attend quarterly County Central Committee Meetings
Assist with initiatives and efforts in the precinct

Votes on:
Party office positions:
State Central Committee Members
County Audit Committee Members
County Constitution & Bylaws Committee Members
Senate or Legislative District Leadership Positions

Precinct Secretary – 2 Year Term

Responsibilities:
Assist in the next Neighborhood Caucus Night
Assist the Precinct Chair in initiatives and efforts in the precinct
Maintain precinct membership records and positions
Track and ensure all contact data is current

State Delegate – 2 Year Term

Roles:
Member of State Party Convention

Responsibilities:
Review and vet candidates for public office (listed below) according to the party’s principles as found in the State Party Platform and County Party Platform
Review and vet candidates for party positions (listed below)
Review and consider amendments to State Party Constitution, Bylaws and Platform
Attend annual State Party Convention (Nominating, then Organizing)

Votes on:
Public Office Races:
President of the United States
US Senate
US House of Representatives
State Governor & Lt. Governor
State Attorney General
State Auditor
State Treasurer
State School Board
State Senators (multi-county districts)
State Representatives (multi-county districts)
Party Positions:
State Party Chair
State Party Vice-Chair
State Party Secretary
State Party Treasurer
National Committeeman & National Committeewoman

County Delegate

Roles:
Member of County Party Convention

Responsibilities:
Review and vet candidates for public office (listed below) according to the party’s principles as found in the State Party Platform and County Party Platform
Review and vet candidates for party positions (listed below)
Review and consider amendments to County Party Constitution, Bylaws and Platform
Attend annual County Party Conventions (Nominating, then Organizing)

Votes on:
Public Office Races:
County Mayor (some counties)
County Council Members (some counties)
County Commissioners (some counties)
County Attorney
County Clerk
County Auditor
County Sheriff
County Assessor
County Surveyor
County Treasurer
County Recorder
State School Board (single county districts)
State Senators (single county districts)
State Representatives (single county districts)
Party Positions:
County Party Chair
County Party Vice-Chair
County Party Secretary
County Party Treasurer
State Central Committee Members
Utah Delegates to the National Republican Convention
Utah Electors for the Electoral College

How To Run

See also How To Run on the Precinct Portal

How to Run also available as a PDF download

BEFORE CAUCUS NIGHT

Decide What Position To Run For

Serving in a precinct position is a serious responsibility. Neighbors are counting on those elected to do their job. And they need them to do the WHOLE job, not just the exciting parts. As you consider running for a precinct position, make sure you can commit the necessary time, and have the availability to attend the required meetings for your selected position.

Precinct Leadership positions (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary) have year round duties and commitments that vary, but do most of their work leading up to the next Neighborhood Caucus Night.

Precinct Delegates start sprinting the day after Caucus, and keep going until the Nominating Convention, in 3-4 weeks time. They have a short period of time to attend meet & greets and cottage meetings, listen to debates, and to meet and vet numerous candidates across multiple races. While most of their work is done when the Nominating Convention ends, they still need to attend the Organizing Convention a year later to elect new party leaders.

Learn more about the roles, responsibilities and required commitments for each precinct position here:

Announce You Are Running

Let precinct members know you are running. Here are some ways you can do that:

Post it to your precinct Facebook Group/Page
Call, Text or email the neighbors and friends you know.
DO NOT post to social media areas that are not intended for political purposes, or include a broader audience than your precinct members.
You don’t want to upset people that may otherwise vote for you.
When you communicate with your neighbors, be sure to let them know:
What position you are running for
Why you decided to run
That you will fulfill all the duties and commitments of the position
The principles and values that you stand for
Any specific issues that are of a concern to you

CAUCUS NIGHT

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive at 6 pm so that you can talk to as many neighbors as possible. The more neighbors you can talk to, the better your chances are to getting elected.

Bring Handouts

You may not have time to talk to every precinct member, but you can give them a brief 1/4 page summary:

Who you are
Why you are running
How you will represent the values of your precinct

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2022 Caucus March 8

2022 Caucus is on March 8

This page consolidates the information on the Utah GOP Precinct Portal.

"Do you want to go RINO hunting aka vet candidates? Become a county or state delegate. Do you want to influence policy/values etc within the party? Become a Precinct chair."

DO NOT GO TO YOUR CAUCUS ANGRY!!