How to Vet Candidates

1. Help elect true representatives Before you can vet candidates effectively, you need to understand what you’ve been elected to do. Your role as a delegate determines which convention(s) you attend and which races you vote in.
   County Delegate

   County Delegates represent their precinct at the Utah County Republican Party Convention (April 18, Skyridge High School). Their primary job is to vet and vote on county-level candidates — County Commission, County Clerk, County Auditor, and contested legislative races within Utah County.Responsibilities include:

   • Attending the County Convention and casting votes for candidates
   • Representing the values and interests of precinct members in those elections
   • Helping elect county party leadership
   • Staying informed on local government issues affecting Utah County residents
   • Attending the Organizing Convention in 2027 to elect county party officers and State Central Committee members
   • Filling any midterm vacancies as they arise

   Term: 2 years (through next caucus in 2028)County Delegates are the most local tier of the party’s elected representative structure. The County Commissioner, Clerk, and Auditor they help elect directly manage county services, elections, and budgets that affect daily life in Utah County.

   State Delegate

   State Delegates represent their precinct at the Utah Republican Party State Convention (April 25, UVU). They vote on statewide and federal races — U.S. Congress, Utah State Legislature (multi-county districts), and Utah State School Board.Responsibilities include:

   • Attending the State Convention and casting votes for candidates
   • Vetting candidates for state and federal offices
   • Attending the Organizing Convention in 2027 to elect State Party officers
   • Representing your precinct’s values in statewide Republican policy direction
   • Filling any midterm vacancies as they arise

   Term: 2 years (through next caucus in 2028)State Delegates have a broader mandate — their votes determine which candidates advance to the primary ballot for offices ranging from Congressional seats to school board positions that set education policy statewide.
   The Precinct Chair automatically serves as both a County Delegate and State Delegate. The Precinct Vice Chair automatically serves as a County Delegate. Both serve in addition to their responsibilities as precinct officers.
2. Legislative collaboration and accountability All delegates have the opportunity to participate in Legislative Collaboration Committees. UCRP delegates primarily engage with State Representatives and Senators during the Utah Legislative Session (January-March every year). This is a volunteer role where you are encouraged to find a place where your skills fill a need. Some ways delegates have contributed in the past include:
   • Researching and providing platform-based opinions on bills for legislators.
   • Organizing people to show support or opposition to specific legislation.
   • Attending legislative sessions and committee meetings.
   • Building a relationship of trust, support, and accountability with your legislators.
   You are not only electing a candidate and hoping they will do the right thing — you may be electing a representative who you will be working with and holding accountable to their constituents for the next two years. Choose someone you believe in and can work with.

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County Convention — April 18, Skyridge High School

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State Convention — April 25, UVU

1. Test whether the candidate understands and agrees with the platform
2. Probe whether they have the character, judgment, and commitment to actually fulfill the role

• Reach out before convention if possible — don’t wait until the day of
• Ask open-ended questions and listen for specificity; vague answers often reflect vague thinking
• Ask follow-up questions if an answer seems rehearsed or evasive
• Compare answers across candidates running for the same position
• Share what you learn with your precinct members who couldn’t attend

• Meet the Candidates events — UCRP and House District leadership organize events where candidates are available to take questions from delegates. Watch for announcements from your House District Chair.
• Candidate debates — UCRP and House District leadership may organize pre-convention debates or forums where candidates make their case and take questions. Watch for announcements from your House District Chair.
• UCRP podcast — UCRP conducts candidate interviews and posts them publicly. Listen to how each candidate speaks about the issues — their instincts and depth of knowledge show up differently in a longer conversation than in a stump speech.

• Know the policy landscape for the offices you’re voting on. A County Commissioner should understand land use, county budgets, and local governance. A Congressional candidate should have substantive positions on federal issues. The more you understand the issues, the better your questions will be — and the easier it is to spot shallow or evasive answers.

• Other delegates in your precinct or neighboring precincts may have already done research, attended events, or spoken directly with candidates. Compare notes.
• Your Precinct Chair (or Vice Chair) can provide insight on candidate reputations and involvement in the local party.
• Your House District leadership has typically spent significant time vetting candidates and can share what they’ve learned — including things that aren’t publicly visible.