Utah House approves Western States presidential primary law; state to fund election while statewide

The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 2 approved second substitute House Bill 91 to create a Western States presidential primary, voting 68–0 to send the measure to the Senate. Representative Raymond Short, sponsor of the bill, told colleagues the primary is set for the first Friday after the first Monday in March and is designed to concentrate presidential campaign attention on Western issues.

"The day set aside is the first Friday after the first Monday in March," Short said, describing the schedule and the bill’s purpose. He said the idea grew from work by Western governors and a legislative task force and that participating states sought to increase attention to issues unique to the Rocky Mountain West.

Supporters emphasized bipartisan work and a desire to give Western voters a stronger voice in nominating contests. Representative Hansen, who described prior experience with a statewide presidential primary, said turnout rose sharply under such a plan. Representative Becker praised bipartisan collaboration and said the primary would draw national attention to regional priorities.

Short also asked that the House spread intent language in the Journal stating "the state shall fund the cost of the election each year in which it is held so long as it continues to be exclusively a statewide election," a move intended to reassure county clerks and local officials that counties would not be left to cover election costs.

The bill’s second substitute was substituted and passed on the floor after brief debate and a summation by Short urging colleagues to support the measure. The House will transmit the bill to the Senate for further consideration.