The idea behind the Feb. 5 Western States Presidential Primary is simple: a bunch of states between California and the Mississippi River, and typically ignored by candidates, get together in the hopes of flexing their collective muscle.

Whether banding together or moving up primary dates, getting the attention of presidential candidates has turned into a bit of a blood sport this year. Before Utahns even get a chance to vote on the so-called Super Tuesday, voters in other states, including South Carolina and Nevada, will have their voices heard. It should be noted that Wyoming (GOP only), Michigan and Florida moved their primaries to Jan. 5, 15 and 29 respectively, but for pulling such a stunt got all their delegates removed from the Democratic convention and half of them from the GOP convention.

The traditional early states -- Iowa and now New Hampshire -- have weighed in and have set the tone for several candidates, including Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney.

By the time Super Tuesday roles around with California in the mix, will the five-state group of Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico have any impact at all?

"Look at how many candidates have come by Utah campaigning so far," said Mark Thomas of the Lt. Governor's Office. "It's rather large and almost unprecedented."

"It's really just kind of an unseen force," Thomas said.

Being a part of that unseen force is costing Utah $3.5 million and keeping local election officials busy.

Turnout in the 2000 presidential primary, the last time Utah participated, was a dismal 10 percent. There are a couple of factors that could drive that up this year: a wide-open field and Mitt Romney, Republican candidate and Mormon. But even that doesn't figure to result in long lines.

"We still don't think we'll see more than 30 percent," said Utah County Clerk/Auditor Bryan Thompson. "That's being very optimistic."

Early voting starts in less than two weeks, with a polling place at the county building in Provo and the library in American Fork. Polling places for Feb. 5 have been trimmed from the traditional 107 down to 59,Thompson said. There will be signs on unused polling places directing voters where they can go, as well as a full list on the county's Web site at www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/ClerkAud/Elections/PollLoc.asp.

And just in case you think Utah is being upstaged by the early primaries, Puerto Rico is at the end of the line, with its caucus on June 7.