Originally published in the Deseret News.

Utah’s primary election is a week away, but it’s already time to celebrate. Thanks to the Count My Vote compromise (also referred to as SB54), more candidates appear on the primary election ballot this year. When asked about it, former Gov. Mike Leavitt said, “Better choices mean better government.” I agree. Regardless of the vote tally next week, the increased choices provided by Count My Vote election reforms are a victory for Utah.

This victory comes in many forms. Before Count My Vote, Utah was the last state in the Union where party insiders could limit access to the primary election ballot. Now, candidates who collect the required number of signatures have direct access to the primary ballot. Candidates can also utilize the caucus-convention process if they prefer, or both.

In this way, Utah voters get the best of both worlds — the intimacy and neighborly feel of the caucus-convention system when done right and the openness and increased participation of a direct primary. The result is more access, choice and accountability. This sounds like better government to me.

You can thank the Utah Legislature for embracing these reforms and making them the law of the land. They passed the Count My Vote compromise legislation with super majorities in both houses. Gov. Gary Herbert also saw the value and signed SB54 into law. In effect, these two steps saved the caucus-convention system and opened up a whole new process of inclusion. With fewer barriers to the ballot, 2016 has more candidates on the ballot. Candidates have more competition and voters have more choice. I predict voter turnout will rise.

If you are still unclear about what the Count My Vote reforms mean, consider the experience of one of Utah’s most revered public servants: Olene Walker. Despite her effectiveness and popularity, she was eliminated at the Republican Party convention and denied access to the primary ballot even though she was the sitting governor at the time. The decision to drop her was made by a relatively small number of delegates, instead of a primary election vote where all registered Republicans have a voice. If in place, Count My Vote would have allowed her an alternative route to the ballot and all Republicans could have voted. She may still have lost, but everyone’s vote would have counted. Hence the term, “Count My Vote.”

In 2016, many high-quality candidates have accessed the ballot through signatures. Gov. Herbert and Sen. Mike Lee both collected signatures. In Utah legislative races, high-quality candidates like Rich Cunningham, Becky Edwards, Curt Bramble, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Glen Jenkins, Mel Brown, Xani Haynie, Richard Moore, Mike Brenny and Dan Hemmert collected signatures. These are great candidates and I’m glad voters get a chance to consider them with their own vote, not a vote delegated to someone else.

Unfortunately, the Utah Republican Central Committee and party officers have chosen to challenge the Count My Vote reforms every step of the way. Through lawsuits and disdain for many candidates of their own party, they have created an atmosphere of division. The courts have ruled over and over in favor of the reforms, but the party insiders continue to fight to limit the choices of other Republicans and the accountability of Republican candidates. I find this unfortunate.

When party insiders limit rather than promote access to the ballot, a political party becomes a smaller and smaller tent. Eventually, the tent becomes an echo chamber of like-thinking individuals who only hear their own words and miss the diversity of human experience from which they can learn and grow. It’s a sure path to irrelevance.

The Count My Vote compromise has brought political parties and Utah voters enhanced choices and more accountability. It will help Utah politics to be more inclusive and participatory. It will improve candidate and voter engagement. It will help our state to continue to prosper.

The 2016 elections are a time to celebrate. Celebrate choice. Celebrate competition. Celebrate accountability. Celebrate better government. Celebrate Count My Vote.