As the national economic crisis drags on, many voters in the United States view the economy as one of the top issues in this year's presidential election.

 

But while the economy has been dominating the headlines, as well as the campaign rhetoric of both Barack Obama and John McCain, some younger voters in Utah say they'll be thinking about much more than "Joe the Plumber" when they cast their ballots on Election Day.

 

Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage--which have not erupted in this election as central issues--are still huge issues in Utah and they continue to matter a great deal to voters here.

 

Late last month, two Utah legislators announced they would be sponsoring legislation geared toward banning abortions in Utah in virtually all cases, and they vowed to take the socially charged issue to the Supreme Court--intent on getting Roe. v. Wade, which legalized abortion in 1972, overturned.

 

"We're tired of it. This group of legislators has had enough of the slaughter of innocents, and we're going to step up and we're going to do something about it," Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, said at the Utah State Capitol, when he unveiled the legislation. "We are here to stand up for the unborn, to stand up against the dogs of hate who defend abortion on demand."

 

And if the legislators can drum up support in the Utah Legislature, they claim that the legal fight to the High Court will not be an issue financially. Wimmer has noted that a group based in Washington, DC will assist with legal work, for example, and the lawmakers say that other groups and foundations have lined up to help.

 

The presidential candidates and their running mates hold widely different views on abortion. For example, John McCain "believes Roe. v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned," reports CNN. Obama, however, "opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn ... Roe v. Wade." Joe Biden supports the outcome of the case, while Sarah Palin contends the decision should be overturned and relinquished to the states. She opposes abortion--including cases of rape and incest--except when the mother's life is in danger.

 

I spoke with a few students at Utah State University in Logan to get a sense of how important social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage, are to them in this election.

 

Brandon Brady, 25, said these two issues alone will be the determining factor in how he votes.

 

"With these issues of gay marriage and abortion, the candidates' position ... will sway my vote either for or against them," Brady said. "The way it's looking right now is I'd probably vote for McCain just because of his stance on those two issues."

 

Acknowledging that the economy is one of his top concerns, Travis Maynard, 20, said that these social issues are still important for him in this election.

 

"These things are pretty close to home I'd say just because of my religion and what I've been taught my whole life," said Maynard.

 

The issue of gay marriage has been constantly generating headlines in Utah, with the Mormon Church's staunch support of Proposition 8, a measure before California voters in November that, if passed, would amend the state's constitution and define marriage as between one man and one woman.

 

Since the majority of Utahns belong to the Mormon, or LDS, Church, this issue has been on many of their minds for the past several months, given the extent of the church's involvement in trying to get the proposition passed.

 

"The LDS Church's campaign to pass Proposition 8 represents its most vigorous and widespread political involvement since the late 1970s, when it helped defeat the Equal Rights Amendment," writes Peggy Fletcher Stack in today's Salt Lake Tribune. "It even departs from earlier efforts on behalf of traditional marriage, in which members felt more free to decide their level of involvement."

 

Stack continues, "This time, LDS leaders have tapped every resource, including the church's built-in phone trees, e-mail lists and members' willingness to volunteer and donate money. Many California members consider it a directive from God and have pressured others to participate. Some leaders and members see it as a test of faith and loyalty.

 

"Those who disagree with the campaign say they feel unwelcome in wards that have divided along political lines. Some are avoiding services until after the election; others have reluctantly resigned."

 

The LDS Church's involvement in the gay marriage issue this year is the quintessential example of a case of the mixing of religion and politics.

 

McCain has stated he supports Proposition 8; Obama does not. Younger voters in Utah have strong feelings about the issue.

 

"I feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman," Maynard said, adding he supports the proposition.

 

However, others such as Caitlin Laughlin, 20, believe that the federal government has no place getting involved in private affairs.

 

"Personal rights, which include abortion and gay marriage ... should not be dictated by the government," Laughlin said. "For me personally, I think it's incredibly important that we allow everyone to be who they are. We're a nation of individuals, and that individuality is incredibly important to how we operate. And in a democracy, I think that if you happen to love someone and you're willing to commit to them for the rest of your life, you should be able to marry them."

 

Obama and McCain aren't talking much about abortion and gay marriage--the issues occasionally come up in a debate, for instance--as the economy continues to slide, but these social issues are still highly relevant for some in Utah. While the presidential election could be won or lost on the issue of the economy, it isn't the only thing on voters' minds.