1 in 9 republican voters are Mormon

Note that this stat is based on 2008 exit polls. If Mitt Romney runs in the November election, it is likely this ratio will increase. Letters were read in Mormon wards this month encouraging political involvement.

Excerpts of "Mormon voters wary of too much public support for Romney" by  Sandhya Somashekhar, Washington Post

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In 2008, Mormons made up about 11 percent of the Republican primary electorate, according to exit polls. Though they are not a large group nationally — about 2 percent of the U.S. population — they are overwhelmingly conservative and are more likely to vote than other groups.




Mormons, one of Romney's most loyal voting blocs, are often quiet about their support. One reason for the reticence, even though the Mormon church encourages its members to vote and be politically active, is the danger they see in associating Romney too closely with his faith.

Their influence helped push the former Massachusetts governor to a major victory earlier this month in Nevada, another state with a large number of Mormon voters. About 88 percent of the Mormon voters in that state's GOP caucus backed Romney, exit polls show.

Some of his close advisers are Mormon, including finance chair Spencer Zwick, as are several top donors. Two companies with ties to prominent Mormon Steven Lund contributed a combined $2 million to Restore Our Future, a super PAC backing Romney. Hotel magnate J.W. Marriott and his brother, Richard Marriott, each contributed $750,000.

Melaleuca, an Idaho-based wellness company, contributed $1 million to the super PAC, and chief executive Frank VanderSloot co-hosted a fundraiser for Romney in Idaho last week. VanderSloot, a longtime supporter, said their common faith does not play a role in his support for Romney.

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