What happens when 80,000 Democrats show up to caucus in Utah?

Long lines and ballot shortages.

The Legislature decides every four years whether the state will fund a primary. When the Utah Republican Party decided to hold caucuses, lawmakers declined to fund a single-party primary — thus forcing Democrats to caucus on their own dime.

Democratic leaders asked the state Tuesday to pay for future caucuses, saying the party is too small to staff enough sites or print a sufficient number of ballots.

• RELATED: “After a hectic caucus night, Utah Dems say state should run vote”

“An unprecedented number of voters overwhelmed the small-budget Democratic Party in Utah,” we observed on our Facebook page. “Should the state help foot the bill for caucuses?”

Here’s how people responded. All quotes are verbatim:

Kathie DeGreve Darby: Yes but to Republican heavy Utah Legislature voted against it…hmmm..afraid of losing their power to some Dems in the State House?

Dori Stauffer Mosher: Except that voting is not a privilege, it is a right guaranteed by the constitution, so government, for all intents and purposes is established to guarantee those rights to citizens.

It’s more than willing to fork over $53 million for an oil port in the private sector (great capitalism occurring there….the government funding a business….wait that’s not capitalism) but not to protect it’s citizens inalienable rights.

Keicha Christiansen: Exactly!

Chris Norris: Are u referring to an amendment because it is also a right to bear arms but that is being took away from also so why be surprised.

Margaret Clayton: Who has come to your home to take your guns? Your ammo? No one, that’s who. Oh, you can’t have armor piercing bullets? Well, boo frickin’ hoo. Have to pass a background check? So what, that’s easier than getting a driver’s license. You can open carry in this state, how is that having your rights taken away? And what well regulated militia do you belong to?

I don’t recall a line in the amendment saying you can have whatever arms you want, in any quantity, at any time, without restriction, because that seems to be the main complaint.

Dori Stauffer Mosher: You’re right. The second amendment was necessary because there were no armed forces at the time. It was really a form of the draft.

“Hey, we’re being invaded. Everybody has to fight to secure our freedom. Oh, by the way it’s BYOG (bring your own gun).”

Glenn Hunt: Not only no but hell no. Why should the tax payers pay for any part of the elections when the crooks just put in who they want to anyways…. Don’t steal the Government hates competition.

Liz Gregoire: Typical of the Utah GOP. Always out to screw the Democrats.

Leasa Ray: Utah needs to get it together! I couldn’t even find the place I was supposed to vote, I went to 4 places. they posted the wrong place on the website, then the website was down, the phone number for help doesn’t work. There were people hosting the caucus claiming their had already won. I did finally find the place I was supposed to go to, and my name wasn’t even on the list. Makes you wonder.

Jesse Redden: yes the state (republicans) should help foot the bill! Yeah right.

Tom Leatherow: They should not. These are Party races. Funds should come from their own Party.

Sheri Locher: so proud of Utah!

Joshua Thompson: Nope they should not!

Nana S Cunningham: No!

Austin W. Barron: Why not?

Linda Hernandez Hopewell: Because they’re scared. Lol