Language of proposed constitutional amendment causes controversy

SALT LAKE CITY — The wording of a question placed on the ballot by the Utah Legislature is creating some controversy. 

Listen to KSL at Night co-host Taylor Morgan on Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News 👇

 

Last month, the Utah Legislature held a special session to decide whether or not a constitutional amendment would be placed on the November ballot. They voted to add it to the ballot. 

Related: Hundreds rally against proposed constitutional amendment

KSL at Night co-host Taylor Morgan said the amendment will ask voters if they want to: 

1. Prohibit foreign money to support or oppose a ballot initiative in Utah
2. Strengthen the initiative process to allow the Utah legislature to edit or alter language after it passes
3. Have 50% more time to gather signatures in a referendum to undo anything passed by the Utah legislature. 

Morgan says many are finding issue with the word “strengthen.” 

“If you are a conservative voter… Who generally agrees with the Republican supermajority Utah Legislature, then you probably do want them making sure they have oversight over initiative language…  You might agree that it strengthens the process,” he said. “However, if you are in the minority party in Utah and tend to disagree with the legislature, then it absolutely does not strengthen the process.”

Ultimately, the language is about your perspective, Morgan said. 

KSL at Night co-host Maura Carabello has worked on several initiative campaigns. She says the wording left her gob smacked.

“I knew the legislature had suspended the normal rules and that they had decided to forego legal drafting and draft it themselves, but the only word I can think of — and I don’t mean to be dramatic — is that it’s deceitful,” she said. 

The language is “baked in,” as Morgan described, meaning it’s set, certified, and will be on your ballot this November. 

Legislator response 

Legislative leadership is defending the wording.

Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz issued a joint statement, saying their language is clear and straightforward, and voters will fully understand the measures they are deciding on.

They say they are modeling previous ballot titles as their guide as they drafted this constitutional amendment. They say those who label these efforts as deceptive are attempting to mislead voters.

KSL NewsRadio’s Tammy Kikuchi contributed to this article.