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(Utah News Connection) Utahns aren't immune from partisan politics and the divisions it can lead to, but a new report shines a light on the issues voters in the Beehive State agree are critical to address across party lines. The Utah Foundation's latest report found that if policymakers are able to better address issues such as K-12 education, water stewardship, decreasing government overreach and improving access to affordable housing, they could please a larger swath of voters.

Shawn Teigen president, Utah Foundation, said one of the most surprising findings is that the Utah median voter, regardless of party, was found to be more liberal than their national counterparts.

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"If we asked you, 'What party do you belong to?,' you might say, 'I'm a Republican' even if I am really not a Republican, so that might be the reason for a little bit of that flow to the left," Teigen said.

Teigen added that could be indicative of the state's closed Republican caucus and primary system, meaning one can only participate if you're a registered Republican. Democrats, on the other hand, have an open caucus and primary. The report focuses on the self-identification of voters, which Teigen says is useful data when discussions are less about who will win an election, but instead more about preferences, policies and priorities.

Ginger Chinn executive vice president of the Salt Lake Chamber, said she was not surprised to see that housing affordability is the number one priority for Utahns, but was taken aback that many feel ignored by policymakers.

"I feel like politicians really want to know what voters have to say, and so that to me, that they feel like they're not being heard, is a little bit fascinating, I don't know if it is that most people are engaging differently with politicians," she explained.

Senator Todd Weiler, R-Salt Lake City, said that when he's accused of not listening, he explains to voters that his policy decisions are based on the needs of an entire district, not just a vocal few.

"There are issues that I'll have hundreds of people contact me about, but a lot of issues, it is one or two people. Being a politician can be frustrating, and I do find that sometimes people do conflate listening with agreeing," he said.

The report found issues such as the Great Salt Lake, immigration, transgender rights and abortion were found to be prioritized very dissimilarly across political parties.