Utah Voters Participate In First Super Tuesday Primary

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utahns participated in their first Super Tuesday primary election, joining 13 other states and one U.S. territory in deciding who will run for president of the United States in November.

Many voters sent their ballots in early by mail. Others preferred to vote in person on March 3. A few arrived before sunrise at the Salt Lake County Government Center to drop off ballots. Some residents even found ways to include their children in the civic duty process, even if it was just by letting their kids put the ballot in the drop box.

For one Salt Lake County resident, voting is a tactual experience.

“I have to cast it in person,” said Mark Peterson, who also likes the benefit of getting an “I Voted” sticker. “I just have to feel the ballot and push the buttons.”

#SuperTuesday voting happening in Utah…https://t.co/8Jmz3cXqqj? #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/3eYNv2EXxH

— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) March 3, 2020

Others said they intentionally waiting until Super Tuesday to cast their vote – just in case there were any dropouts.

“It didn’t change my vote, but I did want to make sure I had all the facts and information before I turned in my vote,” said resident Jeremiah Mollman.

Since Utah moved its primary election date to Super Tuesday, it’s sparked more enthusiasm in both voters and candidates. Multiple presidential hopefuls have campaigned in the state this election cycle, and voter registration has “skyrocketed,” Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen said.

“It shows us people are a lot more enthused,” she said. “… We can see that excitement.”

Swensen said the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office mailed 330 ballots to voters who are registered as either Democrats or Republicans. Another 200,000 letters were sent to unaffiliated voters. Thirty-seven-thousand of those letters were returned with requests for mail-in ballots.

Lines for Primary voting at @HerrimanCity Hall are steady, but not busy. Except for one machine that isn’t working (four are working just fine), workers say there have been no problems so far this morning. #ksltv #utpol #SuperTuesday pic.twitter.com/EjDBzTtfZo

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) March 3, 2020

Those who didn’t receive ballot aren’t out of luck, though.

“Today, for individuals who didn’t bet a ballot in the mail, they can go to one of our vote centers and vote in person,” Swensen said.

Voting will continue until 8 p.m., and polling locations can be found at vote.utah.gov. Utah residents must show a valid ID to vote.

Tuesday’s primaries will play a pivotal role in determining who will face off against President Donald Trump, and many voters said they simply want to see a change.

“I just see it as Biden time,” said resident Ezra Nielson.

The Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office will tally votes over the upcoming weeks. Final results are expected March 17.