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
Q&A: Research on ranked choice voting suggests mixed effects
A U. professor says research on the effects of ranked choice voting is mixed. It could work well in primary and major city elections but also might weaken the accountability of elected officials to voters.
New voting trends show the strength of Utah’s approach to vote by mail
Americans in other states who voted by mail for the first time during the pandemic may be inclined to return to in-person voting, but Utah has a long and successful history with voting by mail.
More evidence needed to clarify the ranked-choice voting debate
Ranked-choice voting is not used for most U.S. elections, so data about its impacts here is relatively sparse.
Insights on the future of ranked-choice voting in Utah
Panelists at an event about ranked-choice voting (RCV) in Utah made it clear that the state needs more evidence on the method.
The benefits and drawbacks of ranked-choice voting
The potential benefits of RCV suggest there is merit in continuing the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project. However, the potential drawbacks of RCV should not be ignored: They reinforce the importance of a thoughtful, deliberate approach to elections reforms that expand the use of RCV.
A preliminary analysis of ranked-choice voting in Utah
The new voting process has significant implications for voting in Utah that are worth examining from the perspective of the evidence and the data – particularly for their potential impact on public trust in the institution of voting.
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.