If your life is in danger you probably don’t care about the politics of the person who comes to your rescue.  But it seems the system does.

Utah’s largest local law enforcement agency is about to get a new leader.  And that leader will be a Democrat, chosen by Democrats.   It’s the law.  All other qualifications aside, the new leader must be a Democrat.

That’s because under Utah’s current system, county sheriffs are elected in partisan races.  And if a sheriff’s office is vacated mid-term for any reason (the case in point is the recent resignation of Sheriff Jim Winder in Salt Lake County), the deck is stacked to make sure the new sheriff in town comes from the same party.

The replacement process calls for members of the county central committee of the political party of the previous sheriff to submit the name of their replacement nominee to the county commission or county council for appointment.

Our professional law enforcers on the streets and in leadership roles deserve our utmost respect.  They bring training, skills and dedication that enhance all of our lives.

When a life is in peril, when laws are to be enforced or when a stranded hiker needs to be rescued, the least of our concerns should be the political affiliation of the deputy or—for that matter—the sheriff.

Democrats, Republicans, Independents and others honorably and capably have led our law enforcement agencies.

Does it make any sense today to choose a sheriff based on partisan politics?

The United Utah Party platform calls for more non-partisan elections as an element of healthy government reform. Because we can do better.           

We, the people of Utah, have the power to create better ways to govern ourselves, to reduce unnecessary divisiveness, polarization and gridlock as we build together on common ground.

If that idea makes sense to you, check out the United Utah Party platform here.