Proposition 3

Residents of Salt Lake County will have the option to vote for a proposition to increase the sales tax by a quarter of a cent to pay for road and rail projects.

If passed, the money will fund four proposed TRAX expansions. The largest project will expand a TRAX line from the existing TRAX line in downtown Salt Lake City to the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The proposition would also fund construction of a commuter rail from the Salt Lake Valley to Utah County and highway expansion projects.

There has been no organized opposition to the proposition.

2nd Congressional District

Republican LaVar Christensen is challenging incumbent Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The candidates differ greatly on the issue of immigration. Matheson favors a guest worker program to give undocumented immigrants citizenship over a period of time. Christensen has said he opposes amnesty of any form, including a guest worker program.

Because Matheson has taken a more conservative position on social issues by opposing gay marriage and abortion, the two are similar on social issues.

The candidates have been sharply divided by their party affiliations. Christensen has voiced concern that, if re-elected, Matheson will help the Democrats gain control of the House.

Matheson has led Christensen by more than 30 percent in most polls.

U.S. Senate

Democrat Pete Ashdown is challenging longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, for his seat. Ashdown, owner of X-Mission, a local Internet provider, has raised considerably less money for his campaign, but he has maintained that his campaign is about getting money out of politics.

He has said money is the most divisive issue between him and Hatch.

Hatch has stressed the need for reforming the current U.S. health-care system. While he has not said how he plans to change health care in America, Hatch has expressed concern over current health-care costs.

Much of Hatch’s platform centers around his conservative stance on social issues such as gay marriage, abortion and flag burning.

Ashdown has focused more on issues such as energy independence and increasing funding for public education.

Hatch has led Ashdown by more than 30 percent in most polls.