That is being proposed to be removed from the Utah Neighborhood Caucus Meeting. The Count My Vote / Buy My Vote group wants us dropping off our votes but not discussing. That is what is wrong with Washington DC. They don’t listen to each other in a meeting. They watch from their offices. We need to change that and not follow it.

I am not in favor of changing the 60% threshold and changing to 2/3 will not get the Count My Vote / Buy My Vote people to back off, they also want:
“AND if the caucus event is opened up so everyone can participate even if they cannot attend at a specific place at a specific time” .

I say go watch WALL-E from Pixar again, the people on the spaceship.

I like the idea of improving the caucus meeting so everyone that was not at the meeting can find out who represents them and who to contact. We can make the meetings so someone can come for two hours and vote.

We are talking neighborhood town halls. We aren’t just meeting to elect delegates. I believe the Count My Vote / Buy My Vote group would ruin that.
The current system does not protect the incumbent, wealthy or famous. Ie think that is a good thing.

Keep Fair Elections in Utah.

For more information, go to
http://www.FairElectionsUtah.com

The Caucus System in Utah is the best way to make sure a grass roots process can work over large amounts of money. It is the only way someone with $100,000 can go against someone with $2,000,000 in election funds.

There were about 120,000 republicans in Utah that went to the neighborhood caucus elections in 2012 to elect the 4000 State Delegates. Add to those numbers the democrats and the primary elections. Certainly the municipal elections didn’t do any better in voter representation.

Most people who want the caucus system changed, there are exceptions, are frustrated that they don’t have as much power as people who show up to the neighborhood election caucus meetings. It doesn’t take money; you just have to show up.

Bypassing the Caucus / Convention System will NOT create more participation. Approx. one out of every 4 or 5 republicans attended their neighborhood election caucus meeting this last year. One in every three told a KSL poll they were involved or attending. There are 4000 state delegates that spend countless hours vetting candidates to be on the ballot. They are selected by those that attend the neighborhood election caucus meeting. You just have to attend.

When people realize this “County My Vote initiative will give them less of a chance to participate but give media and power brokers more power, they will not sign any initiative. This is a power grab.

If you are going to run as a democratic candidate, you have to comply with their rules. If you are going to run as a republican, you have to comply with their rules. If you want to run and not have those rules, you can run as an unaffiliated or independent, or run as a 3rd party candidate. This “Count My Vote initiative is an attempt to change the party rules by state law, bypassing the party and is even an attempt to change the law bypassing the legislature.

It doesn’t mean things can’t be better, but this isn’t the way to do it.

We need to make sure the Utah neighborhood election caucus system is set up so it could be done in 2 hrs. and we get the election results, not just back to the county and state, but to those that missed it so they can still contribute and let their elected delegates and precinct leaders know what they think. The person that got a babysitter for 2 hrs to attend their neighborhood caucus should be able to vote

We need to coordinate with college and university campuses in Utah to make sure students know where a caucus meeting is, and Utah residents can register to attend and participate. Perhaps we should increase the number of locations the neighborhood caucuses are on college and university campuses. We can add another hundred thousand new caucus attendees in 2014.

Fair Elections Utah. Help us fight the “Count My Vote”, or “Buy My Vote” initiative.

http://www.fairelectionsutah.com/

“Count my Vote” or Buy my Vote?

One of the principles of those wanting to gut the neighborhood election caucus meeting and convention system we have in Utah, is this:

” A system that provides inherent advantages to those who are incumbent, wealthy or famous is not acceptable.” http://utahpolicy.com/view/full_story/21947725/article-Principles-for-an-Acceptable-Nomination-Process

I find this statement amazing, because I agree with it. The proposal to bypass the caucus system and also change the percentage to avoid a primary to 85%/15% will actually create “inherent advantages to those who are incumbent, wealthy or famous”. It is designed to do exactly what the supporters of this proposal state are against their principles.

If you are going to run as a democratic candidate, you have to comply with their rules. If you are going to run as a republican, you have to comply with their rules. If you want to run and not have those rules, you can run as an unaffiliated or independent, or run as a 3rd party candidate. This is an attempt to change the party rules by state law, bypassing the party and is even an attempt to change the law bypassing the legislature. That is called being a pirate.

There are 104 members in the Utah State Legislature. It contains both Democratic members and Republican members, liberal, moderate and conservative. It is simply amazing that not one of them were willing to run a bill to do what this group plans to do by a voter initiative. Why? It isn’t that all incumbents win under the current system. In fact there were 2 members of the Utah House that lost at convention this last election, a half dozen that lost in a primary election and 2 more than lost in a general election. There were others that decided not to run.

The current system does not protect the incumbent, wealthy or famous. Perhaps that is the problem this group is trying to solve.

The Caucus System in Utah is the best way to make sure grass roots movements can work over large amounts of money. It is the only way someone with $100,000 can go against someone with $2,000,000 in election funds.

There were about 120,000 republicans in Utah that went to the neighborhood caucus elections in 2012 to elect the 4000 State Delegates. Add to those numbers the democrats and the primary elections. Certainly the municipal elections didn’t do any better in voter representation.

Most people who want the caucus system changed, there are exceptions, are frustrated that they don’t have as much power as people who show up to the neighborhood election caucus meetings. It doesn’t take money; you just have to show up.

Bypassing the Caucus / Convention System will NOT create more participation. Approx. one out of every 4 or 5 republicans attended their neighborhood election caucus meeting this last year. One in every three told a KSL poll they were involved or attending. There are 4000 state delegates that spend countless hours vetting candidates to be on the ballot. They are selected by those that attend the neighborhood election caucus meeting. You just have to attend.

When people realize this will give them less of a chance to participate but give media and power brokers more power, they will not sign any initiative.  This is a power grab. It doesn’t mean things can’t be better, but this isn’t the way to do it.

This proposal isn’t “Count my Vote” it is “Buy my Vote”, funded like a hostile corporate takeover by DC lobbyists acting like pirates.  Don’t let them Buy your Vote, Keep the Caucus System.

Fred C. Cox

fred@fredcox4utah.com

There were about 60,000 republicans in Utah that went to the neighborhood caucus elections in 2010 to elect the 3500 delegates. Add to those numbers to democrats and the primary elections and certainly the municipal elections didn’t do any better in voter representation.

In 2012 the number showing up again doubled. You look at primary turnout and you will see that few voters would decide.

Most people that want the caucus system changed, there are exceptions, are frustrated that they don’t have as much power as people that show up to the neighborhood election caucus meetings. It doesn’t take money, you just have to show up.

What we need are more people getting involved earlier, not shutting down the system that protects us from power hungry people wanting to take over.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55579606-78/party-ballot-system-utah.html.csp

If you are going to run as a democratic candidate, you have to comply with their rules. If you are going to run as a republican, you have to comply with their rules. If you want to run and not have those rules, you can run as an unaffiliated or independent. There are also 3rd party. This is an attempt to change the party rules by state law, bypassing the party and is even an attempt to change the law bypassing the legislature. That is called being a pirate.

An educated workforce is critical for a prosperous economy

Utah’s teachers are heroes and should be respected for key work they do to help families.

According to the Utah State Office of Education, Utah has the nation’s lowest administrative costs and our schools are rated by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce as providing its citizens a better return on investment than any other state.

I support Governor Herbert’s goals for Education

Sixty-six percent of adult Utahns will have a postsecondary degree or professional certification by 2020.

Ensure our school children achieve reading proficiency by the end of 3rd Grade.

Increase the number of High School students completing post-secondary courses.

Align educational training to meet the workforce demands of the marketplace.

It is crucial that Utah Public Education continue to do amazingly well with the resources we have with great teachers, innovation, and technology.

As a member of the State House last year and this year, I have been standing up to protect and promote Public Education.

I have worked to find and create other funding sources to help support Public Education and have fought to provide funding for student growth, K-3 Reading, and technology.

I am honored to be supported by Utah’s Education First.

Education First is a citizens group 40,000 members strong. Education First supports public officials and candidates for office in Utah who support our state’s economic future by putting education first.

http://youtu.be/ZsmlM1Cag8w

Fred C. Cox, Conservative Republican, Utah Architect. Utah House of Representatives
Economy, Fiscal Responsibility, Energy Independence, Education Excellence.
Currently Representing State House District 32 and running for the new District 30

http://www.fredcox4utah.com/

http://youtu.be/hdYccKBN70Y

Last Utah General Legislative Session for 2011, I remember seeing bill after bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Liljenquist pass the house. I was amazed at the respect he and the bills had. I was amazed at how both republicans and democrats voted for them.

For example, his 2011 SB 180 Medicaid Reform bill passed both houses with no votes against it from either party and was signed by the Governor.

With at least 7 bills, both the house and senate, both republicans and democrats all voted for the reforms Senator Dan Liljenquist proposed. In all, 9 of his bills were signed by the Governor.

We need that in Washington DC. These are the same areas that are bankrupting our nation. Again, we need Dan Liljenquist in Washington DC. Yes, we have a US Senator with 35 years of seniority, but remember that in 2011, Senator Dan Liljenquist was still in his first 4 year term. He did it without seniority.

http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/03/dan-liljenquist-for-us-senate-for-utah.html

Last Utah General Legislative Session for 2011, I remember reading though and seeing bill after bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Liljenquist pass the house.

I was amazed at the respect he and the bills had. I was amazed at how both republicans and democrats voted for them.

For example, his 2011 SB 180 Medicaid Reform bill passed both houses with no votes against it from either party and was signed by the Governor.

The same thing happened with 2011 SB 308 Amendments to Public Employee’s Benefit and Insurance Program. It happened to 2011 S.B. 272 Secured Creditor Amendments. Also with 2011 S.B. 127 Post Retirement Employment Amendments. I was surprised that 2011 S.B. 149 Qualifications for the Executive Director of the Department of Health had one vote against it, but it came back and passed without anyone voting against it after all. Again, no votes against 2011 S.B. 121 New Automobile Franchise Act Amendments. No votes against 2011 S.B. 120 Career Service Amendments. (Not in any order).

Did he get any no votes? Yes. 2011 S.B. 90 Board of Pardons Retirement Amendments did actually have 6 house republicans vote against it and 2011 S.B. 9 Retirement and Independent Entities Base Budget did have many democrats vote against it, but last year that was common with the base budget bills.

But with at least 7 bills, both the house and senate, both republicans and democrats all voted for the reforms Senator Dan Liljenquist proposed. Some of the bills had been changed several times before they were voted on, but when there was consensus they were voted on and passed. Some have asked why he missed some floor votes last year and I believe this tells you why. All 9 of these bills were signed by the Governor.

We need that in Washington DC. These are the same areas that are bankrupting our nation. Again, we need Dan Liljenquist in Washington DC. Yes, we have a US Senator with 35 years of seniority, but remember that in 2011, Senator Dan Liljenquist was still in his first 4 year term. He did it without seniority. He has been recognized nationally for this, but not so much in his own state.

In addition to that, our current US President is acting like a king. If congress doesn’t act, he says he will. Sen. Mike Lee is at least calling the President out on it. I don’t believe Sen. Hatch is doing enough to provide the constitutional check we need. I believe Dan Liljenquist would stand up and protect our freedom and rights. I believe that item alone will make the difference in this race.

I ask that you vote for Dan Liljenquist, while there is still time to save this country.

Fred C. Cox

Representing State House District 32 and running for the new District 30

http://www.fredcox4utah.com/

http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/

The current US Presidential Electoral System keeps part of that concept so that voters in California, New York, and a few others do not decide who is elected, ignoring the rest of the country.

The original system was designed to that the electors nominated two candidates, one not from their state, and unless there was a candidate nominated by the majority of electors, the voting for president out of the top 5 nominees was done by the US House of Representatives, one vote per state. If two candidates received a majority of electors, the House would decide between just the two. Basically, the loser of the top two became the Vice President, who would take over if something happened to the President. The elector college system protected every state from being ignored.

By 1796 and 1800, partly due to political party influence, and because the public didn’t want the US House to decide the election a movement to change happened and under the 12th amendment this was changed. One reason was to make sure the President and the Vice President could run together. The change made it so the electors would almost always reach a majority and therefore cast the final vote, and because of that, most states have now required that the elector vote based on which party they represent. Utah requires that an elector be replaced if they do not vote per party. See http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE20A/htm/20A13_030400.htm

Under the current system, Utah having 6 votes instead of 4 gives us a slight edge over population. Utah has decided to have a winner take all system. If Utah were to split our vote, it would carry less weight in the national election.

If the National Popular Vote Compact proposed were to happen, (states making up over 270 electors were to join) the group would all have their electors match the popular vote of the entire country. So the group’s electors would match the popular vote, meaning if Utah joined the compact, it could end up voting for Pres. Obama, even if most of the voters in Utah voted against him.

While the current system doesn’t work as originally intended, there is still some balance favoring smaller states, just barely enough to encourage candidates to campaign throughout most of the country. If the Popular Vote Compact were to succeed, I believe that would be eliminated and I also believe the cities with the most population would be the locations where campaigning would occur, making the situation of ignoring parts of the country even worse.

I disagree with some of my colleagues. I believe this National Popular Vote Compact is a bad idea. A bill for Utah to join is expected to be voted on for the 2012 Legislative Session.

Some information:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700184502/Pros-and-cons-of-electoral-college.html

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsoutofcontext/52941274-64/popular-vote-electoral-idea.html.csp

http://www.1888932-2946.ws/ComTool6.0/ckfinder/userfiles/files/UtahRepublicanPartyResolutionOpposingNPV.pdf

http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/

http://www.freedomformula.us/endorsements/endorsements-frameset

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

See my post also at:

http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2011/11/national-popular-vote-compact.html

Fred Cox, Utah State House of Representatives, District 32

District 30 for 2012 elections

http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2011/09/boatlifters-unknown-story-of-911.html

12 minutes worth watching.