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90% of Utah's legislators are LDS tho only 60% of the state is Mormon. So, what gives? 1/
sltrib.com/news/politics/…
sltrib.com/news/politics/…
It looks even worse when you add in "inactive" Mormons—those who are on the books but don't practice; about half. So 30% of Utahns dictate a lion's share of legislative seats. How do they do it? 2/
They're organized. Every ward (congregation) is a Republican farm team. Members of wards are taught deference to authority and leadership positions can become springboards for elective office. 3/
Leaders of wards and stakes are community organizers, though I doubt they'd be happy with the term. When elections roll around dude in stake presidency or high council has name recognition and built-in troops to canvas for them 4/
Utah's Mormon elite political class is also networked to the hilt, making fundraising relatively easy. There's nothing illegal or nefarious about being good at organizing, but block voting soured people against LDS 160 years ago. 5/
Needless to say, a lot of Utahns don't feel like they are being represented in the Legislature; mostly because they're not. /end
