Before the 9.12 projects, and the tea party movement, many Republicans went to the polls in November, held their nose and voted. Now we have a new age dawning. 9.12 groups, like the Davis County 9.12 Group, Utah Rising, The S.T.A.R. Forum, and Salt Lake County 9.12 have awakened the masses to the political process. Groups already waving the banner of liberty with Utah Eagle Forum, The Campaign for Liberty, and the John Birch Society have joined them.
This Tuesday, March 23, 2010, will be the biggest tea party so far. You will see record numbers this Tuesday come out to caucus night in neighborhoods statewide. This mass meeting is the cornerstone of the Representative Republic that holds our country together. People have turned off the TV, they got off the couch, and they are attending. In the past few months, people have read books like Glenn Beck’s Common Sense, and Cleon Skousen’s The 5,000 Year Leap.
Many Utahns have become educated in this process. Before the education process swept over the masses, many people didn’t even understand that the only way to have a say on who showed up on the ballot in November was through this process. It was a mystery how candidates were selected. However, those days are over.
With the Federal Government ever encroaching into our daily lives, many Americans have been asking, “What can I do?” The 9.12 movement came forward and said, “We have a plan, and it’s called caucus night.”
Henry Glasheen, Summit County Republican Chairman, said, “Turnout is going to be fantastic across the board.” When asked why, he stated, “People are tired of government they view as not for the people.”
When an educated people participate in the process, liberty and freedom move forward. We must constantly watch our elected officials and demand they give us the most individual liberty, ask for the most personal accountability from themselves and their constituents, and demand that Federal Government stay within the bounds set by the Constitution.
You have never been to a caucus before? That is okay, these people are your neighbors. Find out where your caucus is by going to your COUNTY website. All the county websites are listed at http://www.utgop.org/county.
This is a great year to begin your participation in the election process. However, it cannot be your last. We have much to correct in our states, and in our federal government. So get involved, and stay involved. That is how freedom works. We have moved out of apathy, and it is vital to our liberty that we do not move back into a state of complacency.
FREEDOM CAN WIN!
The S.T.A.R. Forum 
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Political caucus’ are the bedrock of the American political system. I like to think that they serve as an opening bell to the upcoming political season and pretty much setup the agenda for those running for office as well as for those who might be single issue voters. Anybody that takes their citizenship seriously should attend.
Utah is a pretty conservative and Republican stronghold but in states like New York and Massachusetts a strong turnout in the Republican caucus will indicate a strong showing in November. And a strong showing in November, like the recent election in Mass a couple of months ago, will be the first step in taking back our Congress from the current set of lunatics that are now in power.
Fortunately, for us Republicans, we tend to be people that get involved and actually do something about the issues we feel strongly about, like taxes for example. Democrats on the other tend to do a lot of talking but don’t take much action. Why is that?
Anyway, very good article, Jacqueline. Your knowledge of civics is humbling.
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Great article Jacqueline! Thanks for all your doing!
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Here is some info on what to expect at your Caucus Meeting for those who’ve never been to one.
We’ve been getting a lot questions about who can run to be a state delegate at this Tuesday’s precinct caucus meetings and how state delegates are chosen. So here are the answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.
What will happen at my Republican precinct caucus meeting?
At 7:00 PM sharp on Tuesday, March 23, your precinct caucus meeting will be called to order. You and your neighbors will say the pledge of allegiance; read the party platform; nominate precinct officers, county delegates and state delegates; hear short speeches by the nominees; and then elect them by secret ballot. The votes will be counted at the meeting and the results reported; after which, the meeting will adjourn. Most meetings take between 45 and 90 minutes.
Who can become a state delegate?
Any registered, Republican, Utah voter can become a state delegate. If you are not yet registered to vote or affiliated as a Republican, you can complete a voter registration form and declare your party affiliation at the meeting, but show up ten minutes early to make sure you have time to get the paperwork done. Your precinct Chair person will turn the voter registration form into your county clerk for you after the meeting, but you can still fully and immediately participate in the precinct caucus meeting that night. Better yet, download a voter registration form here, print it out, fill it out, and bring it with you to the precinct caucus meeting. Seventeen year-olds who will turn 18 on or before November 2, 2010 can also complete a voter registration form and fully participate at their precinct caucus meeting or become a delegate.
How do I become state delegate?
1. When nominations are opened for the position of state delegate, have someone nominate you. You can nominate yourself, but it is best if someone else nominates you. Your nomination can be seconded but it doesn’t have to be.
2. Prepare a two-minute persuasive speech (a sample speech is here) about what you would do as state delegate and the principles that guide you. Be honest, if you are leaning toward a particular candidate, say so. If you are undecided about the challengers but committed to not vote for Bob Bennett at anytime at convention, say so. Finally, commit to stay at the convention the whole time.
3. Many caucus meetings are attended by less than 25 people. If you bring 15 or more supporters with you to the caucus, you have an excellent chance of being elected as a state delegate and can play a key role in finding a conservative alternative to Bob Bennett.
When is the Republican Nomination Convention?
The convention to select the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate will be held Saturday, May 8, 2010 in Salt Lake City. You should only run for delegate if you are able to spend the entire day at the convention.
What if I don’t get nominated?
Everyone should get nominated who wants to be nominated. It only takes one dissenting vote to stop nominations from closing. Be sure to have someone nominate you, and someone second the nomination.
How many votes do I need to be elected a state delegate?
You need a majority vote, which is 50% plus one of all the ballots cast. State delegate positions should not be awarded to someone based on a plurality of the vote according to the 2010 CAUCUS HANDBOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS. This means your caucus may have multiple voting rounds, dropping the low vote-getter on each successive round until somebody gets 50%. The only way a person can get elected by a plurality vote is if a motion is made to suspend the rules and it passes by a two-thirds vote of the caucus attendees.
What if my precinct Chair awards a state delegate position to somebody who receives less than 50% of the vote?
Kindly protest by standing and saying, “Mister/Madam Chair, I rise to a point of order, the rules for this meeting read that state delegates are to be elected by majority vote.” Then suggest that multiple ballot rounds be used until someone gets 50% plus one of the votes.
If necessary, you can refer the Chair to pages 6 and 7 of the 2010 CAUCUS HANDBOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS:
2010 CAUCUS HANDBOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS, section ELECT VOTING PRECINCT OFFICERS, paragraph BALLOTING, page 6, it reads, “The winner is determined by majority vote.”
2010 CAUCUS HANDBOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS, section ELECT STATE AND COUNTY DELEGATES, paragraph NOMINATIONS AND BALLOTING, page 7, it reads, “Use the same procedure outlined for election of officers.”
If the Chair ignores the rules despite your point of order, proceed with the vote anyway, make notes of who was elected improperly by plurality, and contact us after the meeting. We will help you peacefully resolve the issue at the proper place and time.
A copy of the 2010 Handbook has been uploaded on this website under FREE STAR FILES if you scroll down on the right hand side of the page.
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well said. this will be a huge year. thank you for your help, you have done so much to help our nation get back to the constitutional values it started with.
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