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Dear Republican friend,
What an eventful week we have had, including the unexpected “wake
up call” many of us received yesterday.
With all of the uncertainty this past week, I am writing to let you
know that one thing is still certain: the Utah Republican
Party is organized, unified, and looking forward to our 2020
Nominating Convention which will take place on April 25th.
While we will not have an in-person convention as in past years, we
are moving full-steam ahead with our convention preparations. I am
excited to announce that our 2020 Convention Committee is
incorporating technology into this year’s convention process that will
encourage a higher level of participation by our delegates than we
have ever seen before.
In preparation for our convention, I would like to briefly answer
some of the most common questions I have received.
- With caucus night postponed, who will serve
as delegates? Our state
delegates serve until they are replaced by newly-elected
delegates. Because delegates elected in 2018 have not been
replaced, they will continue to serve, and will be given an
opportunity to participate in the upcoming convention.
- What if a delegate can no longer serve? Each county party has a simple process
for replacing a state delegate who cannot serve. It is not the
job of a candidate to replace the delegate—it is the job of
the county party to manage the replacement of
delegates.
- Will the nominating convention be canceled? Definitely not! Our convention will still
take place next month, though it will look different than our
past conventions. It will involve candidates reaching out
electronically to delegates, and utilizing technology in new
and innovative ways. In fact, I am convinced that we will see
human ingenuity and creativity at its finest, providing our
delegates more actual opportunities for interaction with
candidates than in any previous year.
- Will this online convention
process be fair to the candidates? Absolutely! Just as our
party has had to adapt to changing conditions, our candidates
are also showing us how well they can adapt—a skill they will
certainly need if elected. We are committed to supporting our
candidates in reaching out to the delegates, helping to
provide the tools they need to do so, and making sure the
process is fair and even more accessible than our traditional,
in-person convention.
- How will voting take place? I
have finalized an agreement with a reputable, well-known, and secure
online voting company. There are government entities here in
Utah that already use this company to manage the electronic
voting of Utah residents who are overseas serving in the
military. As a party, we will provide technical support and
assistance to our delegates to help them use the voting
software.
- Do you need volunteers?
Yes! Instead of volunteers to help us with logistics at a
large convention center, we will need volunteers to help with
our virtual/online operations. Please email volunteer@utgop.org
if you are willing to help.
- Can I donate to help with the
costs of an online convention? As a party, we spent
over $30,000 preparing for a caucus night next week, and now
we have tens of thousands dollars of new costs associated with
the new convention plans. If you are willing to help defray
these costs, please contact the party, or contact me
directly.
John Adams once said that “every problem is an
opportunity in disguise.” I view these challenges as the Utah
Republican Party’s opportunity in disguise. It is a chance to
reevaluate the way voters interact with us, reinvigorate our
caucus/convention system, and explain to a rising generation what
it means to be conservative.
Our 2020 Utah Republican Party Convention will not only be
memorable, but it will also be an amazing experience for our
delegates who have the opportunity to participate. I am committed
to making sure that the overall level of participation by our
delegates between now and April 25th exceeds that of any prior
convention.
With so many uncertainties today, conservative principles like
advocating for limited government, promoting free-market solutions,
and creating a society where our sisters and brothers can truly
flourish, are principles that we will need more than ever
before.
My fellow party officers and I are grateful for your service and
commitment to the Utah Republican Party, and we are excited about
the opportunities that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Derek Brown
Chairman, Utah Republican Party
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