As unique as is Utah’s formative history of civil and religious conflict, its political institutions today broadly resemble those found in other American states. While its majority Mormon population translates into an enormous Republican advantage in local and national elections, Utahns have taken a more centrist stance on some issues such as immigration, while Utah itself has become the third‐fastest-growing state in the country since 2000. The mostly geographically rural state is demographically urban, and Salt Lake County is now a swing county in some elections. Utah Politics and Government offers an accessible analysis of Utah’s political cultures, starting with the state’s unique pioneer heritage, its development into a secular American state, and its explosive modern growth. The book covers the state constitution and its place in the federal system, ongoing public lands disputes, and major political institutions. Several original datasets covering the last thirty years in Utah politics provide contemporary context and analysis. The final chapter offers practical advice to citizens wishing to engage with their elected officials. Adam R. Brown has written a book that is beneficial not only for educational purposes but also for the average citizen who wishes to understand how Utah’s government operates, get involved in state politics, and make informed choices.

Utah is a peculiar place, and Utahns are a peculiar people. Men overwhelming dominate Utah business and politics. But it was also the first state in the nation where women cast a vote and is home to the nation’s first female state senator (who had to defeat her husband in order to get there). Utah today has the highest level of foreign language fluency with international trade a key driver of the state’s economic development. Utahns overwhelmingly believe in limited government and reduced public spending. However, from its initial founding, Utah also has a proud history of supporting the arts, through both public and private efforts. When Utah was first established by Latter-day Saint pioneers, its settlers chose a place where they could be completely isolated from the rest of the nation. Within that isolation, it makes sense that the political culture could turn out to be, well, a little bit quirky.