Utah is one of the eleven states in which state income taxpayers may choose to send a small amount of money to the political party of their choice. The Utah contribution totals for tax returns that have arrived this year (through June 30) show that four of Utah’s qualified parties received more support from this source than they did last year. The only party that received less support this year is the Republican Party.
2017 amounts are: Republican $45,068; Democratic $42,102; Libertarian $5,416; Independent American $4,180; Constitution $2,190.
2016 amounts were: Republican $48,026; Democratic $38,066; Libertarian $4,350; Independent American $3,738; Constitution $2,144.
If states could levy poll taxes, they could let voters direct their tax to political parties, which could then use the money to finance their own primaries.
“If states could levy poll taxes” let me stop you right there, BAD IDEA!
In Kentucky, the Republican Party gets more money through the check-off than the Democratic, even though Democratic registration is much higher. Are there any other states where this is true?