Signature gatherers looking to repeal Prop. 4 are accused of deception

SALT LAKE CITY — Signature gatherers are out in force right now looking for support to repeal Proposition 4, a measure passed in 2018 which created an independent redistricting commission in Utah. 

But some people are accusing the signature gatherers of being deceptive or confusing when they’re asking people to sign. 

Related: Utah judge selects new congressional map, tossing map drawn by lawmakers

Utah GOP Chair Robert Axson said they want Prop. 4 repealed, because they say determining congressional maps should be the legislature’s job.

“It’s incredibly inappropriate and ignores the state and U.S. Constitution,” said Axson. 

The Utah GOP has hired an out-of-state company to help gather the necessary 140,000 signatures needed for a repeal.

But Elizabeth Rasmussen, Executive Director of Better Boundaries said they’ve had reports that methods used by Prop. 4 opponents, trying to convince people at grocery stores and college campuses for example, have been deceptive. 

“Reports we have heard, and we have dozens of reports, have either been vague or outright lying about what people are signing,” said Rasmussen. 

Most of the reports of deceptive practices are coming from a Smiths in the Park City area.

“Who’ve been saying ‘this is going to protect Prop. 4, this keeps the map.’ And so that is the biggest red flag we’ve seen,” said Rasmussen. 

Rasmussen said she’s also received reports from Salt Lake City that say the signature gatherers are unclear, while gatherers at other locations are just saying ‘keep Utah Republican.’

Axson disputes those claims, saying the signature gatherers have been given scripts that transparently lay out the facts of the initiative.

“We would never go and try to confuse folks away from the facts, because the facts are ones that we believe in,” said Axson. 

The Office of the Lt. Governor said that the law requires signature packets to have have the exact title on them foe clarity. 

“The law requires the title of any initiative be included on signature packets. The title in this case is, “Repeal of Independent Redistricting Commission and Standards Act Initiative … This language is required so regardless of what someone is told, they can read what they are agreeing to if they decide to sign,” said The Office of the Lt. Governor.

Both Rasmussen and Axson say voters should inform themselves, and that they can always go online and have their signature removed if they change their minds.