I'd like help voting in the Nov'2026 election. I'll list my principles of good government and would like pros and cons for each vote. I usually like to use the + and - sysmbols to indicate each reason with up to 3 of each for how strong of a reason it is for me to vote for or against that person. Here are some of my views regarding government:
As a U. S. citizen, I believe it's important to be an informed voter
I believe government at all levels has grown far beyond what's appropriate -- scale it back, maximize freedom, minimize taxes and debt
My biggest concern is that my representative's votes are being be purchased by big money
I'm very much against subsidies being given to the private sector at both the federal level and in Utah. There seem to be many examples of both.
The U. S. Constitution should be followed contrary to many actions over many years
Our exploding national debt is destroying our nation and putting our children's future at risk - start decreasing the debt and never vote to increase it
Money should not be forcibly taken from one and given to another (e.g., charity is voluntary, not forced)
I'm against citizen initiatives that bypass elected government to create laws or change the constitution. I strongly believe in a republic governed by a constitution instead of a pure democracy because most people don't understand the basic principles of good government and can be swayed by advertising claims.
I am unlikely to vote for candidates who refuse to take any controversial positions on their websites
I generally agree with many views espoused by Senator Rand Paul
I prefer to elect people who have been successful in the private sector because they are more likely to understand the value of freedom and capitalism vs. socialism
I've found some legislative indexes useful such as those at limitedgov.org, Freedom Index, Heritage Action Scorecard, Club for Growth, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
When I ask a question of one of my representatives I expect a meaningful response even if they disagree. I'll note here when they do so:
nobody yet
Below are the voting decisions I must make:
U.S. House District 3
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
KENT S. UDELL Democratic
CASSIE EASLEY Constitution
CELESTE MALOY Republican
AYDEN SCOTT Unaffiliated
MICHAEL R. STODDARD Libertarian
ADONIS HOOSLYN Unaffiliated
State Senate District 23
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
KEITH GROVER Republican
TUCKER SMITH Democratic
State House District 57
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
NELSON ABBOTT Republican
NANCY LEE PETERSON
County Commission Seat A
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
JEANNE MARIE BOWEN Democratic
MICHELLE KAUFUSI Republican
JACOB D. OAKS Independent American
County Commission Seat B
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
J. ALLEN Democratic
DAVID M. SPENCER Republican
DAVID HINCKLEY Forward
County Attorney
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
JEFF GRAY Republican
County Auditor
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
GINA TANNER Republican
HANS V. ANDERSEN Independent American
County Clerk
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
COREY K ASTILL Republican
RUSS J RAMPTON Forward
County Sheriff
Vote for up to 1 candidate(s)
MIKE SMITH Republican
State Judicial
Shall JILL M. POHLMAN be retained in the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah? Yes/No
Shall AMY JO OLIVER be retained in the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah? Yes/No
Shall DAVID NED MORTENSEN be retained in the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah? Yes/No
Shall GREGORY KEITH ORME be retained in the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah? Yes/No
Shall JOHN DAVID LUTHY be retained in the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah? Yes/No
Shall MICHELE M. CHRISTIANSEN FORSTER be retained in the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah? Yes/No
Shall RYAN M. HARRIS be retained in the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah? Yes/No
Shall ANTHONY LEONARD HOWELL be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District? Yes/No
Shall DOUGLAS JOHN NIELSEN be retained in the office of Judge of the Juvenile Court of the Fourth Juvenile Court District? Yes/No
Shall JARED WILLIAM ELDRIDGE be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District? Yes/No
Shall KRAIG POWELL be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District? Yes/No
Shall THOMAS LOW be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District? Yes/No
Local Judicial
Shall KELLY N. SCHAEFFER-BULLOCK be retained in the office of Judge of the Highland/Alpine Justice Court? Yes/No
Shall KELTON SHAWN PATTEN be retained in the office of Judge of the Utah County Justice Court? Yes/No
Constitutional Amendment A
Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to change how proposed constitutional amendments are published, requiring publication for 60 days immediately before the general election in a manner established by state law instead of in newspapers?
If voters approve Constitutional Amendment A, state statute would change to require the Lieutenant Governor to publish the full text of all proposed constitutional amendments and other ballot questions from the Legislature, on the Utah Public Notice Website and on the Lieutenant Governor’s website for 60 days immediately before the general election.
Read more information on this ballot question (opens new window)
FOR
AGAINST
Constitutional Amendment B
Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to require that citizen-proposed laws that increase taxes compared to existing law be approved by at least 60% of voters, instead of a simple majority?
Read more information on this ballot question (opens new window)
FOR
AGAINST