The state auditor may not be the most glamorous position in government, but three candidates are vying to be the next elected official who will monitor state and local government agencies’ compliance with state law and budgeting.
Republican Tina Cannon currently serves as the deputy auditor for John Dougall, who opted not to seek reelection and instead run for Congress (he lost in the GOP primary). Democrat Catherine Voutaz is an accountant who has worked for the IRS and has consulted with a number of businesses. Jeffrey Ostler is the Constitution Party’s nominee for the seat.
History will be made if one of the two major-party candidates were to win, as either would become the first woman to hold the auditor’s seat. If Cannon wins, she would be the first Republican woman elected individually statewide (since lieutenant governors run on a ticket with the governor).
The Salt Lake Tribune submitted the same set of questions, based on top issues readers said they were watching in this election, to each candidate. The questions and their answers that appear below — with the candidates listed in alphabetical order — may have been edited slightly for length, style or grammar.
The Legislature has tasked the auditor’s office with ensuring compliance with the law requiring patrons to use the bathroom and locker room of their gender assigned at birth. How would you do that?
Tina Cannon: The role of the state auditor is not to set the policy but rather to monitor compliance with the policy set by Utah’s Legislature. We value the safety of all Utahans, and encourage immediate threats to that safety first be reported to law enforcement. When there are concerns with the response of the government agency in charge of the facility, those concerns should be reported through the state auditor’s compliance hotline.
Jeffrey Ostler: Did not respond.
Catherine Voutaz: HB257 (the transgender bathroom bill) is problematic and virtually impossible to enforce, nor will the law serve any purpose towards protecting women and girls. However, until the law is repealed or replaced, additional staffing would be required to monitor complaints submitted and to prepare reports available to the public and the Legislature regarding those complaints.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tina Cannon at the Utah Republican Nominating Convention in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Should the auditor conduct regular reviews of election systems and returns?
Cannon: No.
Ostler: Did not respond.
Voutaz: Yes.
Name two or three audits or agencies that would be your top priority for review when you take office.
Cannon: My top priority will remain to provide Utah taxpayers with an independent assessment of financial operations, statutory compliance and performance management of ALL Utah governmental agencies.
Ostler: Did not respond.
Voutaz: 1. Alliance for Choice in Education (ACE) hired by the state to manage HB331 administering over $80 million in taxpayer dollars toward school vouchers. 2. Impact of Economic Development Tax Incremental Credits given under the Corporate Incentives Strategy.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Catherine Voutaz hands out signs as People rally on Women’s Equality Day at the Capitol on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, to encourage Utah to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
Last session, a bill called for studying whether to make the auditor an appointed position. Should the auditor be appointed? Why or why not?
Cannon: No. The independence of the state auditor is paramount to providing Utah taxpayers confidence in the integrity of Utah’s government operations. Enron and Worldcom provide the cautionary tale of management’s control over the audit function.
Ostler: Did not respond.
Voutaz: No. Since the Republican Majority holds control in a trifecta with the state House, Senate and governor, the citizens of Utah should have a say in who holds the office and who is the watchdog for all state programs and policy impact.
State Auditor John Dougall has focused on building transparency in the office. Would you continue that effort?
Cannon: Yes.
Ostler: Did not respond.
Voutaz: Yes.
For the last few years, the auditor’s office has been home to the state privacy officer. How would you utilize that position and the office to strengthen privacy protections in state and local governments?
Cannon: Promote the compliance hotline more. We are deeply committed to investigating each concern and protecting whistleblowers. While not yet in our state constitution, we already treat privacy as a basic human right and will continue to safeguard it.
Ostler: Did not respond.
Voutaz: Review data collection processes to ensure only the minimum necessary personal information is collected and incorporate privacy considerations into the design and development of new systems.
A Utah judge has voided Amendment D and said votes for or against it cannot be counted, but the state plans to appeal. Do you support changing the Utah Constitution to guarantee that the Legislature can repeal or amend ballot initiatives?
Cannon: No.
Ostler: Did not respond.
Voutaz: No.
