Utahns aren't immune from partisan politics and the divisions it can lead to, but a new report shines a light on the issues voters in the Beehive State agree are critical to address across party lines. The Utah Foundation's latest report found that if policymakers are able to better address issues such as K-12 education, water stewardship, decreasing government overreach and improving access to affordable housing, they could please a larger swath of voters.

Shawn Teigen president, Utah Foundation, said one of the most surprising findings is that the Utah median voter, regardless of party, was found to be more liberal than their national counterparts.

"If we asked you, 'What party do you belong to?,' you might say, 'I'm a Republican' even if I am really not a Republican, so that might be the reason for a little bit of that flow to the left," Teigen said.

Teigen added that could be indicative of the state's closed Republican caucus and primary system, meaning one can only participate if you're a registered Republican. Democrats, on the other hand, have an open caucus and primary. The report focuses on the self-identification of voters, which Teigen says is useful data when discussions are less about who will win an election, but instead more about preferences, policies and priorities.

Ginger Chinn executive vice president of the Salt Lake Chamber, said she was not surprised to see that housing affordability is the number one priority for Utahns, but was taken aback that many feel ignored by policymakers.

"I feel like politicians really want to know what voters have to say, and so that to me, that they feel like they're not being heard, is a little bit fascinating, I don't know if it is that most people are engaging differently with politicians," she explained.

Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Salt Lake City, said that when he's accused of not listening, he explains to voters that his policy decisions are based on the needs of an entire district, not just a vocal few.

"There are issues that I'll have hundreds of people contact me about, but a lot of issues, it is one or two people. Being a politician can be frustrating, and I do find that sometimes people do conflate listening with agreeing," he said.

The report found issues such as the Great Salt Lake, immigration, transgender rights and abortion were found to be prioritized very dissimilarly across political parties.

As Michigan voters prepare for the upcoming presidential election, state officials are urging them not to lose sight of vital local races, especially school boards in rural communities.

Down-ballot candidates play a crucial role in shaping the future of education and the overall direction of their communities. Statistics reveal rural Michigan school board elections are usually uncontested, with incumbents winning more than 80% of the time.

Trina Tocco, director of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, said there are a number of competitive school board elections across the entire state.

"Maybe there's two seats and there might be three people running, or maybe there's a couple of full-term seats and then there's some partial-term seats," Tocco outlined. "Similarly to what we've seen with schoolteachers, which there's a lot of turnover."

Tocco pointed out voters can learn more about candidates by attending forums. A map of forum locations, provided by the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, helps residents find events in their local districts.

Candidate information is also available through Michigan Voter Information Center, which provides sample ballots, and the Michigan chapter of the League of Women Voters which offers voter guides.

Tocco noted her organization has collected candidate questionnaire responses, shedding light on how the hopefuls plan to tackle critical issues, such as how money is allocated within a district.

"We have actually requested all candidates across the state to go to our website and they complete a form," Tocco explained. "They tell us, what do they think about what's important around curriculum, around racial equity in our schools, mental health in our schools."

Tocco encouraged voters to tap into their local networks for insights on candidates. She added the best information sometimes comes from neighbors and fellow voters who know who is running and what they stand for.


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Voters next month will be shaping how future elections operate in many states, including South Dakota, where nonpartisan primaries are on the ballot.

Constitutional Amendment H would shift primaries in South Dakota to an open, "top two system." Every voter would get a single primary ballot listing all candidates and the two in each race with the most votes move on.

Currently, political parties decide which registered voters can participate in their primaries. The Democratic Party now allows registered Democrats, Independents and unaffiliated voters to do so. Republicans have a "closed" primary, for registered party members only.

Joe Kirby, chairman of the group South Dakota Open Primaries, said changing the system would increase participation.

"Candidates would change their messaging so they would appeal to all voters in the state," Kirby explained. "Instead of, as they currently do, appealing to the partisan few that show up for our primary elections."

Only 17% of registered voters in South Dakota cast ballots in this year's primaries, according to the Secretary of State. Kirby pointed out under the current system, more than 150,000 voters are left out.

A similar measure to create a nonpartisan primary was defeated by South Dakota voters in 2016. Kirby noted opponents include what he calls "party bosses" on both sides of the aisle because the new system, he acknowledged, would give more power to voters.

"Our job this election cycle is to get out the word about what it is and how it would work," Kirby emphasized. "Because if people understand it, they tend to like it."

South Dakota is one of several states where voters will be deciding on nonpartisan primaries, including Arizona, Idaho and Montana.


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Purdue University students are pushing back against Tippecanoe County's plan for limited voting access on campus. The county has announced only a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window on October 24th, leaving students without a full Election Day voting site.

Laila Veidemanis, a Purdue student and West Lafayette City Councilor, expressed her frustration.

"Students should be able to vote on Election Day on campus and not have to walk to City Hall or find transportation to vote," she said.

Tippecanoe County election officials opted against setting up a polling station on campus after reviewing data. They observed a considerable decline in voter registrations from residents on or near campus. In 2020, roughly 6,700 people in the campus area were registered to vote, but by 2024, the figure had fallen to around 3,100.

Veidemanis added that with packed class schedules, extracurriculars, and other commitments, having on-campus voting is essential for students. She recalled how easy voting was in past years, noting that in 2021 she walked from her dorm to cast her ballot.

"And that was not a presidential election year. I do remember it being super easy. As a freshman, I registered. I was given an email of places to vote, and I walked in and voted," she continued.

Mike Schmuhl, Indiana Democratic Party chair, is among those requesting the on-campus Election Day polling location and dissatisfied with the brief window on October 24th.

"At the end of the day, we also think that that's inadequate. Statistics show that particularly in presidential election years there's just higher turnout, more people want to vote - there's more organic knowledge about the election," he contended.


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