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.
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.
Research & Resources
Conversations
Ranked choice voting: Give Utah cities the option #utpol #rcv
Runoffs and ranked choice voting #utpol #rcv
Authentic elections through ranked choice voting #utpol #rcv
A quick intro to ranked choice voting #utpol #rcv
Unity gained in ranked choice voting #utpol
Should Utah keep ranked choice voting for city elections? With Josh Daniels
Ranked choice voting: Give Utah cities the option #utpol #rcv
Runoffs and ranked choice voting #utpol #rcv
Authentic elections through ranked choice voting #utpol #rcv
Insights & Takeaways
2022 election verdict: Vote by mail didn’t advantage either political party
Election outcomes in three states that expanded early voting periods and/or vote by mail (Vermont, Kentucky and Nevada) were comparable to the states’ previous election results.
National political leaders are learning what Utah already knows: Vote by mail works
Republican Party leaders have begun openly recognizing the value of voting by mail and casting ballots before Election Day. They should look to Utah to see vote-by-mail elections done well.
What the midterm election tells us about vote by mail in Utah
There are several reasons for the contrast between Utah’s smooth process and the delays in tabulating the final results in Arizona and Nevada.
What’s Going On with Ranked Choice Voting in Utah? A Q&A with Derek Monson
What’s going on with Utah and RCV? To learn more, I queried Derek Monson, vice president of policy at Sutherland Institute, a conservative think tank in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Stewart: You have to have people believe in elections
At a Sutherland Institute Congressional Series event this week, Rep. Chris Stewart said that if people lose confidence in elections, “you have lost the foundation … for a government and society to survive.” Fortunately, Utahns trust in elections is high.
Primary election day comes and goes, and Utah’s elections are still secure
while some individuals and groups have sought to stoke public fear regarding election integrity, the facts say that voting in Utah is safe and secure from significant or widescale fraud.
FAQ: Ranked choice voting in Utah
As 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.
How to remedy the West’s fractured election policies
The 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 will add fuel to the fire of election policy debates in the West.
Evidence suggests that Utah should let municipal ranked choice voting continue
Allowing the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project to finish – so it can gather additional evidence on the benefits and drawbacks of RCV – is sound policy.