ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Utah Legislature approves candidate signature gathering change
Feb 20, 2024, 3:16 PM | Updated: 3:17 pm
significant shift is coming for candidates who have to gather signatures to get on the ballot -- a state-approved app allowing them to verify a voter's eligibility in real-time. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — A shift could be coming for candidates who have to gather signatures to get on the ballot — a state-approved app allowing them to verify a voter’s eligibility in real time.
Right now, signatures are largely gathered via paper packets and submitted to the Lt. Governor’s office, which checks the registration requirements of each signer. Only signatures that meet those requirements count towards a candidate’s total number.
On Friday, the Utah Legislature passed SB107, the Election Process Amendments. The bill’s main components move the filing deadline date for independent candidates from early January to June 15.
Related: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. files lawsuit against Utah for ‘unconstitutional early deadline’ practices
The bill also repeals a requirement that signature collectors had to be residents of Utah. By doing that, supporters of the signature path to the ballot say it allows an app developed by the Lt. Governor’s office to be more widely used.
State law allows candidates to choose whether they gather signatures manually or electronically. However, using the app is rare. Supporters of the signature path hope this bill changes that.
The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, said that wasn’t the purpose of this bill.
