
Policy
Elections
Securing the American institutions of self-government – such as free and fair elections – in a republic is a civic responsibility of every American citizen. It is an essential part of ensuring a new birth of freedom for future generations.
If government derives its power from the “consent of the governed,” as the Declaration of Independence states, then that consent must have a mechanism for being regularly expressed and renewed.
This is the role that secure elections play in America’s constitutional order: helping ensure the peaceful transfer of power and the opportunity of citizens to exercise their civic voice.
Sutherland Institute offers sound research and principled analysis on voting methods and election security. We do this to promote trusted and trustworthy voting systems and elevate the way the state of Utah assesses and refines this crucial process. We seek to protect public confidence in Utah’s elections by promoting positive reforms and increasing voters’ understanding of the security and access offered by Utah’s election procedures.
Conversations
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Why many election officials don't want to be a Republican or a Democrat
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Election officials should follow the law, not the party line
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Can election officials ever really be nonpartisan?
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Election officials should be neutral
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A public office that doesn't need a party label
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Your county clerk isn't your legislator
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Rethinking how we elect county clerks
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Should county clerks be nonpartisan? | Kevin Johnson & Brian McKenzie
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How Florida gets election results faster than California
Insights & Takeaways
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Housing, Education, Taxes are Top Issues for Utah Likely Voters, Survey Finds
Read More: Housing, Education, Taxes are Top Issues for Utah Likely Voters, Survey FindsHeading into the 2024 elections, most likely voters in Utah view housing affordability, education funding and taxes as most important to their vote.
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Utah Voter Priorities for 2024 Election: Overview of New Survey Data of Likely Voter Sentiment
Read More: Utah Voter Priorities for 2024 Election: Overview of New Survey Data of Likely Voter SentimentThis issue brief provides an overview of likely voter sentiment toward various issues that impact how they will vote in the 2024 election.
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Respect for local control means keeping the ranked choice voting pilot program
Read More: Respect for local control means keeping the ranked choice voting pilot programThe pilot program is working. Cities are adopting or rejecting ranked choice voting according to the expressed will of their voters.
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FAQ: Ranked choice voting in Utah
Read More: FAQ: Ranked choice voting in UtahAs the Utah State Legislature considers the fate of the ranked choice voting pilot program, here are answers to questions voters may have about this form of voting.
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Utahns’ views on ranked choice voting: Overview of New Survey Data of Likely Voter Sentiment
Read More: Utahns’ views on ranked choice voting: Overview of New Survey Data of Likely Voter SentimentAs Utah continues working to refine and improve how residents participate in elections, sound analysis of new voting methods based on experiential data of the voters is essential.
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How to remedy the West’s fractured election policies
Read More: How to remedy the West’s fractured election policiesThe 2024 presidential election cycle is slowly building momentum with a new headline each day speculating on who will, or will not, announce a candidacy. As the campaigns accelerate, they…









