New state flag referendum group ‘confident’ despite low signature numbers

SALT LAKE CITY — The group working to repeal Utah’s new state flag says they’re confident they’ll gather enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot, despite having turned in less than 1% of the required signatures as of Friday.

As of midday, the group had 502 approved signatures. They need 134,298 by April 12. Supporters also need those signatures to be 8% of the number of active voters in at least 15 of Utah’s senate districts, according to the Lt. Governor’s office.

“This is very much like the early returns in the elections,” one of the group’s organizers, Chad Saunders said.

48 signatures per packet

At an event at the capitol Friday, the group claimed they have 3,000 packets that have been printed and distributed around Utah. They say many of those are filled out and “just haven’t been turned in.”

“There’s 48 signatures in a packet, we have 144,000 names already out into the surface so they will get out there,” said Saunders.

Group working to get a referendum to repeal new state flag is speaking at the Capitol.

These kids were just here on a tour and were asked to stop and listen

The group has 502 verified signatures, w/3k packets out, they say. They need around 135,000 by April 12.@kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/sK8FCtDkGK

— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) March 24, 2023

If all those signatures do come in, they still have to be verified by county clerks and the state Office of Elections. Signers must be a registered voter in the county where they sign. The group said they recognize they’ll lose some signatures.

“The good news is on the first set of packets we turned it was running about 90% verified. And to be honest we believe we have to have about 150,000 signatures all together,” said Saunders.

Friday marked the half way point of when signatures are due in order for the issue to be on the ballot in the 2024 General Election.

Keep reading: Gov. Cox signs bill requiring ‘historic’ Utah flag to always be flown at Capitol

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