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Utah Voting Patterns in the 20Th Century

Jean Bickmore White

In recent years, there has been a tendency to consider Utah a solidly Republican state, ostensibly because of the strong conservative tendencies of the state's Mormon majority. A longer view of the state's voting patterns shows that Utah has moved from one major party to the other, often following national trends. In the 25 presidential elections since statehood in 1896, Utah has voted for the losing candidate only five times, in 1896, 1912, 1960, 1976, and 1992. In three of those elections, however (1960, 1976, and 1992), Democrats were elected to statewide offices or congressional seats, illustrating Utahns' tendency to split tickets between parties. On three occasions, 1912 (Theodore Roosevelt), 1924 (Robert La Follette), and 1992 (Ross Perot), minor-party candidates polled a substantial number of votes, preventing the state winner from gaining a majority. Other minor-party candidates have had little success in statewide elections in Utah.

During the first decade of the 20th century, Utah clearly was a Republican state, reflecting efforts of Mormon Church leaders during the 1890s to establish a two-party system in Utah Territory. Until 1891 there had been two territorial political parties, the People's party, controlled by the Mormon Church, and the non Mormon Liberal party. In a move toward statehood, the People's party was dissolved in 1891, and Church leaders worked to establish a two-party system along national lines. In national politics, Mormons had appeared to favor the Democratic party during the territorial period, so it was necessary to encourage some members to become Republicans. Some Church leaders, including Joseph F. Smith (later president), George Q. Cannon, and John Henry Smith, also wanted to show a substantial Republican vote during the early 1890s to gain national Republican support for statehood. This tilt toward the Republicans was furthered by that party's tariff policies; it also reflected national Republican strength, which persisted until the election of Woodrow Wilson in 1912. In 1916, Utahns voted for Wilson and elected their first Democrat and non Mormon governor, Simon Bamberger, a wealthy Jewish mining entrepreneur. Through the 1920s, Utah and the nation swung to the Republicans, keeping Republican apostle Reed Smoot, a dominating political figure at home, in the U.S. Senate. During this same period, however, Utahns twice elected Democrat (and non-Mormon) George Dern as governor.

The national embrace of the New Deal was matched in Utah from 1932 to 1950, the only period of Democratic dominance of virtually every major office since 1896. The Republican era that started with Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 was reflected in Utah. With the exception of Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Utahns have voted for Republican presidential candidates since 1952 and have not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1970. The governor's office is a different matter. Held by Republicans from 1949 to 1965, it was occupied by Democrats Calvin Rampton and Scott Matheson for the next 20 years, then won back by Republican Norman Bangerter in 1984. In elections for governor since statehood, Utahns have voted Republican 13 times and Democratic 12 times.