Savannah Perkins

By Savannah Perkins

Ruth Macari, a Cache County resident, arrived at the Republican caucus ready to vote. Most people listened for directions and even with a growing crowd talking around them, they were able to hear and understand what to do next in order to vote. Macari didn’t hear; she couldn’t. Macari is deaf.

There were no American Sign Language interpreters at the Republican caucus held at Mount Logan Middle School on March 22.

“Three of us needed interpreters,” Macari said. “So my poor daughter who is an interpreter ran from room to room, trying to help, as well as do her own voting.”

Macari tried to vote online, a new option offered by the Republican Party this year. However, Macari said the process was so complicated that she decided to attend the caucus, hoping interpreters would be available.

“We have spent some time this year with some people that had different disabilities, helping them get registered and such but as far as the deaf community, I hadn’t thought much,” said Boyd Pugmire, the chairman of the Republican Party for Cache County.

Pugmire said that he has worked to provide more translators for the large Hispanic population in Cache County. He has even discussed with the state of Utah about the possibility of holding a Hispanic caucus but in consideration of the deaf population, “It hasn’t been brought up,” he said.  “I have never even thought about that.”

“My daughter interpreted for us but there are so many deaf people in the valley that can’t go,” Macari said. “We need to educate people.”

Macari said there is a large deaf community in Cache County and when she asked caucus officials for an interpreter, they were surprised. She said when she asked many of her deaf friends if they had voted, many responded with it being too difficult or that they don’t normally vote anyway.

Pugmire said that this does need to be addressed because everyone should be able to experience and attend a caucus.

“In the future, I would suggest a room for those who sign and among them elect a deaf precinct and district officers,” Macari said. “Interpreters are good advocates for us and can explain so people understand better.”