Voucher Election Might Affect The Race For Salt Lake City Mayor

None by KCPW

Expert Says Ballot Initiative Should Increase Turnout

(KCPW News)  The school voucher referendum could have a significant impact on the race for Salt Lake City Mayor. Turnout is a key in that election, and it's likely that the voucher question will only increase that turnout. Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah says candidates will have to shift their strategy to account for voters who would not show up to the polls otherwise.

Vouchers will not be on the ballot during the primary election in October. That vote will winnow the field for Mayor down to two candidates from the current number of eight. Jowers says the old strategy for candidates was to turn out their base during the primary, and then co-opt voters from the losing candidates during the general election. Now, they'll have to make decisions that will not only please their core supporters, but attract new voters in the general election as well.

Jowers would not speculate which candidate best might benefit from the voucher question being on the ballot. However, he says candidates will have to address the issue whether they planned on it or not.

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