According to a Deseret News-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, a majority of Utah voters do not feel represented by the Republican and Democratic parties, with key findings including a larger-than-average share of Utahns and higher levels of dissatisfaction compared to American voters overall. Additionally, the poll indicates that most discontented voters prefer a more moderate third political party at both the state and national levels.
SALT LAKE CITY — A majority of Utah voters do not feel like the Republican and Democratic parties represent their views, according to a new Deseret News-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll.
The share of Utahns who feel this way was significantly larger than American voters overall. Utahns were also more likely to support the creation of a new major political party.
"There is a connection between the party and their identity, but it's more nuanced in Utah than just the political flag they're connected to," said Jason Perry, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute. "Utahns tend to connect to issues. "At the state and national level, most discontented voters would like to see a more moderate third party, with smaller groups wanting more liberal or conservative options.
Dissatisfaction with the two dominant forces in U.S. politics could have broad impacts, contributing to some voters becoming politically disengaged, according to the new poll. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reacted to the findings that 6 in 10 Utahns do not feel represented by the two major political parties during a broadcasted press conference.
The results did not surprise the Republican governor, who said as he travels the state and country he hears how tired people are of political polarization and dysfunction.
"Normies just want normal politics again," Cox said. "But neither party seems interested in that. Every party wins a very narrow election and thinks they have a mandate to completely implement everything they've ever wanted to do.
"Cox predicted, as he has for years, that the first party to figure out how to focus its message on the average, instead of the most ideological voter, will win by large margins. He expressed hope that a new generation of candidates will do just that. In the meantime, Cox expects more candidates will run as independents to avoid party labels altogether.
The unpopular partiesThe Deseret News-Hinckley Institute of Politics national poll was conducted by Morning Consult from April 15-19 among 2,057 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. It found 49% of U.S. voters feel the major political parties represent them either "not very well" or "not well at all" .
Meanwhile, 43% feel the parties represent them "somewhat well" or "very well" . These results were nearly identical among U.S. voters when asked how much confidence they
Utah Voters Republican And Democratic Parties Disconnection Disappointment Political Polarization Third Political Party Moderation Ideological Voters Utah Gov. Spencer Cox Candidates Focusing On Average Voters
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