- Do you support or oppose the Independent Redistricting Commission and Standards Act that Utah voters approved in 2018? Please explain your reasoning.
- I completely support the Independent Redistricting Commission. The voters approved this to ensure free and fair elections and elected officials should, first and foremost, represent their voters which means supporting the commission. Additionally, our legislators should never get to choose their voters and gerrymandering is anti-democratic no matter which party undertakes it. All voting maps should be crafted to be equitable, not partisan, so all people’s voices are heard.
- What should happen when the legislature disagrees with a map the commission produces, and what would you do in that situation?
- I believe the legislature could request another map be produced and then the voters be asked to choose between the two, but the legislature should never be allowed to be the sole voice in approving or disapproving a map as that allows them to control their voters when it should be the other way around.
- Do you support Utah's vote-by-mail system as it stands?
- Yes, I believe the vote-by-mail system has been proven to not only be as free of fraud as voting can be, but also has worked to enfranchise more voters which should be celebrated in a democracy.
- What would you do to encourage more people to vote who currently don't vote?
- I would work to preserve the vote-by-mail system, ensure all elections are advertised adequately so all people are aware of important dates, and support more voter registration efforts across the state.
- Utah voters can put questions on the ballot through citizen initiatives and referenda. Should the threshold for passing them be changed? Why or why not?
- In a democracy, every vote matters, so no, I don’t think the threshold should be raised to 60% or anything above a majority. Every single person should know that their vote could make the difference, and any attempts to weaken the power of any one’s vote by changing the threshold should be avoided.
- What do you see as the relationship between transparency and corruption?
- Transparency is essential to reducing corruption, which is sorely needed in Utah. For example, we need greater transparency in our campaign fundraising, to reduce the influence of dark money in elections, increase institutional oversight such as for MIDA, and create stricter ethics and financial disclosure rules for public officials.
- Does Utah's GRAMA support the public's right to know, or does it need strengthening? Or is it too stringent?
- GRAMA is a vital tool meant to support the public's right to know and hold the government accountable, but it definitely needs strengthening. Recent efforts by the GOP to roll back public access to certain records should be overturned. After all, GRAMA should protect a citizen's ability to monitor public entities without facing excessive barriers. GRAMA is an essential source of checks and balances and in a democracy, our representatives should be accountable to but not afraid of their voters.
- Describe a specific action you would take in office to make sure every person in your district has equal access to government services and equal protection under the law, regardless of citizenship status.
- I would ensure that all people in my district know how to contact my office and that I will do everything in my power to respond to and serve each and every person regardless of status, ethnicity or any other factor including advocating for them with other government offices, helping them navigate any red tape, and being willing to respond to questions/concerns from all those in my district, not just those with money or influence.
- Is there anything else you think is relevant that our questions did not reach?
- _(no response)_
