Lawmakers file appeal to restore Amendment D on ballot
Sep 13, 2024, 1:57 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
The Utah Legislature is appealing a judge's decision to void Amendment D on November's ballot. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Legislature is appealing a judge’s decision to void Amendment D on November’s ballot. The move comes just a day after the judge’s ruling.
“People decide elections; courts don’t,” the appeal said.
Third District Court Judge Dianna M. Gibson made Amendment D void on Thursday, saying the language in the ballot question was misleading.
Related: Legal expert discusses amendment ruling on Utah’s November ballot
The question will still be printed on the ballot. Gibson’s ruling means that any votes for the question won’t count toward anything.
The Legislature’s appeal said that Thursday’s ruling, “cast a shadow over the election—in particular, whether Utahns should be learning about, campaigning for, and voting on Amendment D.”
The state Legislature asked the Utah Supreme Court to overturn Gibson’s ruling by Sept. 24.
Response to Amendment D appeal
Mark Gaber, attorney for plaintiffs involved in the initial case, gave KSL the following statement:
The district court’s decision was correct. In their rush to transfer power from the people to themselves, the Legislative leadership wrote deceptive ballot language and simply ignored the Constitution’s publication requirement. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the appeal, I am confident they too will enforce the Constitution.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
