Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect SB0165S01.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

First Substitute S.B. 165

Senator Curtis S. Bramble proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
ELECTION LAW AMENDMENTS

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             5     
House Sponsor: Bradley M. Daw

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions in Title 20A, Election Code.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    defines terms;
             13          .    authorizes a person to vote in an election if the person registers to vote online at
             14      least 15 days before an election;
             15          .    authorizes the chief election officer to extend the time to file a financial statement in
             16      certain circumstances;
             17          .    prohibits the use of an electronic signature to:
             18              .    qualify a candidate for the ballot;
             19              .    qualify a ballot proposition for the ballot; or
             20              .    sign a petition to organize and register a political party;
             21          .    establishes the time by which a petitioner shall deliver initiative packets to the
             22      county clerk;
             23          .    requires the amount of signatures necessary for an initiative or referendum to be
             24      submit to a legislative body or qualify for placement on the ballot to be calculated
             25      based on the votes cast for President of the United States; and

             26          .    makes technical changes.
             27      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             28          None
             29      Other Special Clauses:
             30          This bill provides an immediate effective date.
             31      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             32      AMENDS:
             33          20A-1-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapters 129, 197, and 254
             34          20A-2-102.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             35          20A-2-206, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 89
             36          20A-7-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 237
             37          20A-7-206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 225
             38          20A-7-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1995, Chapter 153
             39          20A-7-501, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 324
             40          20A-7-506, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 237
             41          20A-7-601, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 258
             42          20A-11-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 389
             43      ENACTS:
             44          20A-1-306, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45     
             46      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             47          Section 1. Section 20A-1-102 is amended to read:
             48           20A-1-102. Definitions.
             49          As used in this title:
             50          (1) "Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive
             51      voter by the county clerk.
             52          (2) "Automatic tabulating equipment" means apparatus that automatically examines
             53      and counts votes recorded on paper ballots or ballot sheets and tabulates the results.
             54          (3) (a) "Ballot" means the storage medium, whether paper, mechanical, or electronic,
             55      upon which a voter records the voter's votes.
             56          (b) "Ballot" includes ballot sheets, paper ballots, electronic ballots, and secrecy

             57      envelopes.
             58          (4) "Ballot sheet":
             59          (a) means a ballot that:
             60          (i) consists of paper or a card where the voter's votes are marked or recorded; and
             61          (ii) can be counted using automatic tabulating equipment; and
             62          (b) includes punch card ballots and other ballots that are machine-countable.
             63          (5) "Ballot label" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages, or other materials that:
             64          (a) contain the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to
             65      be voted on; and
             66          (b) are used in conjunction with ballot sheets that do not display that information.
             67          (6) "Ballot proposition" means a question, issue, or proposal that is submitted to voters
             68      on the ballot for their approval or rejection including:
             69          (a) an opinion question specifically authorized by the Legislature;
             70          (b) a constitutional amendment;
             71          (c) an initiative;
             72          (d) a referendum;
             73          (e) a bond proposition;
             74          (f) a judicial retention question; or
             75          (g) any other ballot question specifically authorized by the Legislature.
             76          (7) "Board of canvassers" means the entities established by Sections 20A-4-301 and
             77      20A-4-306 to canvass election returns.
             78          (8) "Bond election" means an election held for the purpose of approving or rejecting
             79      the proposed issuance of bonds by a government entity.
             80          (9) "Book voter registration form" means voter registration forms contained in a bound
             81      book that are used by election officers and registration agents to register persons to vote.
             82          (10) "By-mail voter registration form" means a voter registration form designed to be
             83      completed by the voter and mailed to the election officer.
             84          (11) "Canvass" means the review of election returns and the official declaration of
             85      election results by the board of canvassers.
             86          (12) "Canvassing judge" means a poll worker designated to assist in counting ballots at
             87      the canvass.

             88          (13) "Convention" means the political party convention at which party officers and
             89      delegates are selected.
             90          (14) "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by the election officer in
             91      charge of the election for the automatic counting of ballots.
             92          (15) "Counting judge" means a poll worker designated to count the ballots during
             93      election day.
             94          (16) "Counting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in Section
             95      20A-3-201 to witness the counting of ballots.
             96          (17) "Counting room" means a suitable and convenient private place or room,
             97      immediately adjoining the place where the election is being held, for use by the poll workers
             98      and counting judges to count ballots during election day.
             99          (18) "County officers" means those county officers that are required by law to be
             100      elected.
             101          (19) "Date of the election" or "election day" or "day of the election":
             102          (a) means the day that is specified in the calendar year as the day that the election
             103      occurs; and
             104          (b) does not include:
             105          (i) deadlines established for absentee voting; or
             106          (ii) any early voting or early voting period as provided under Chapter 3, Part 6, Early
             107      Voting.
             108          (20) "Election" means a regular general election, a municipal general election, a
             109      statewide special election, a local special election, a regular primary election, a municipal
             110      primary election, and a local district election.
             111          (21) "Election Assistance Commission" means the commission established by Public
             112      Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
             113          (22) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day persons are eligible to
             114      file declarations of candidacy and ending when the canvass is completed.
             115          (23) "Election judge" means a poll worker that is assigned to:
             116          (a) preside over other poll workers at a polling place;
             117          (b) act as the presiding election judge; or
             118          (c) serve as a canvassing judge, counting judge, or receiving judge.

             119          (24) "Election officer" means:
             120          (a) the lieutenant governor, for all statewide ballots;
             121          (b) the county clerk or clerks for all county ballots and for certain ballots and elections
             122      as provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 ;
             123          (c) the municipal clerk for all municipal ballots and for certain ballots and elections as
             124      provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 ;
             125          (d) the local district clerk or chief executive officer for certain ballots and elections as
             126      provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 ; and
             127          (e) the business administrator or superintendent of a school district for certain ballots
             128      or elections as provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 .
             129          (25) "Election official" means any election officer, election judge, or poll worker.
             130          (26) "Election results" means, for bond elections, the count of those votes cast for and
             131      against the bond proposition plus any or all of the election returns that the board of canvassers
             132      may request.
             133          (27) "Election returns" includes the pollbook, all affidavits of registration, the military
             134      and overseas absentee voter registration and voting certificates, one of the tally sheets, any
             135      unprocessed absentee ballots, all counted ballots, all excess ballots, all unused ballots, all
             136      spoiled ballots, the ballot disposition form, and the total votes cast form.
             137          (28) "Electronic ballot" means a ballot that is recorded using a direct electronic voting
             138      device or other voting device that records and stores ballot information by electronic means.
             139          (29) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to
             140      or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign
             141      the record.
             142          [(29)] (30) (a) "Electronic voting device" means a voting device that uses electronic
             143      ballots.
             144          (b) "Electronic voting device" includes a direct recording electronic voting device.
             145          [(30)] (31) "Inactive voter" means a registered voter who has:
             146          (a) been sent the notice required by Section 20A-2-306 ; and
             147          (b) failed to respond to that notice.
             148          [(31)] (32) "Inspecting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in this title to
             149      witness the receipt and safe deposit of voted and counted ballots.

             150          [(32)] (33) "Judicial office" means the office filled by any judicial officer.
             151          [(33)] (34) "Judicial officer" means any justice or judge of a court of record or any
             152      county court judge.
             153          [(34)] (35) "Local district" means a local government entity under Title 17B, Limited
             154      Purpose Local Government Entities - Local Districts, and includes a special service district
             155      under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.
             156          [(35)] (36) "Local district officers" means those local district officers that are required
             157      by law to be elected.
             158          [(36)] (37) "Local election" means a regular municipal election, a local special
             159      election, a local district election, and a bond election.
             160          [(37)] (38) "Local political subdivision" means a county, a municipality, a local
             161      district, or a local school district.
             162          [(38)] (39) "Local special election" means a special election called by the governing
             163      body of a local political subdivision in which all registered voters of the local political
             164      subdivision may vote.
             165          [(39)] (40) "Municipal executive" means:
             166          (a) the mayor in the council-mayor form of government defined in Section 10-3b-102 ;
             167      or
             168          (b) the mayor in the council-manager form of government defined in Subsection
             169      10-3b-103 (6).
             170          [(40)] (41) "Municipal general election" means the election held in municipalities and
             171      local districts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered
             172      year for the purposes established in Section 20A-1-202 .
             173          [(41)] (42) "Municipal legislative body" means the council of the city or town in any
             174      form of municipal government.
             175          [(42)] (43) "Municipal officers" means those municipal officers that are required by
             176      law to be elected.
             177          [(43)] (44) "Municipal primary election" means an election held to nominate
             178      candidates for municipal office.
             179          [(44)] (45) "Official ballot" means the ballots distributed by the election officer to the
             180      poll workers to be given to voters to record their votes.

             181          [(45)] (46) "Official endorsement" means:
             182          (a) the information on the ballot that identifies:
             183          (i) the ballot as an official ballot;
             184          (ii) the date of the election; and
             185          (iii) the facsimile signature of the election officer; and
             186          (b) the information on the ballot stub that identifies:
             187          (i) the poll worker's initials; and
             188          (ii) the ballot number.
             189          [(46)] (47) "Official register" means the official record furnished to election officials
             190      by the election officer that contains the information required by Section 20A-5-401 .
             191          [(47)] (48) "Paper ballot" means a paper that contains:
             192          (a) the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to be
             193      voted on; and
             194          (b) spaces for the voter to record the voter's vote for each office and for or against each
             195      ballot proposition.
             196          [(48)] (49) "Political party" means an organization of registered voters that has
             197      qualified to participate in an election by meeting the requirements of Chapter 8, Political Party
             198      Formation and Procedures.
             199          [(49)] (50) (a) "Poll worker" means a person assigned by an election official to assist
             200      with an election, voting, or counting votes.
             201          (b) "Poll worker" includes election judges.
             202          (c) "Poll worker" does not include a watcher.
             203          [(50)] (51) "Pollbook" means a record of the names of voters in the order that they
             204      appear to cast votes.
             205          [(51)] (52) "Polling place" means the building where voting is conducted.
             206          [(52)] (53) "Position" means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a
             207      ballot in which the voter marks the voter's choice.
             208          [(53)] (54) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot voted provisionally by a person:
             209          (a) whose name is not listed on the official register at the polling place;
             210          (b) whose legal right to vote is challenged as provided in this title; or
             211          (c) whose identity was not sufficiently established by a poll worker.

             212          [(54)] (55) "Provisional ballot envelope" means an envelope printed in the form
             213      required by Section 20A-6-105 that is used to identify provisional ballots and to provide
             214      information to verify a person's legal right to vote.
             215          [(55)] (56) "Primary convention" means the political party conventions at which
             216      nominees for the regular primary election are selected.
             217          [(56)] (57) "Protective counter" means a separate counter, which cannot be reset, that:
             218          (a) is built into a voting machine; and
             219          (b) records the total number of movements of the operating lever.
             220          [(57)] (58) "Qualify" or "qualified" means to take the oath of office and begin
             221      performing the duties of the position for which the person was elected.
             222          [(58)] (59) "Receiving judge" means the poll worker that checks the voter's name in the
             223      official register, provides the voter with a ballot, and removes the ballot stub from the ballot
             224      after the voter has voted.
             225          [(59)] (60) "Registration form" means a book voter registration form and a by-mail
             226      voter registration form.
             227          [(60)] (61) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is not a provisional ballot.
             228          [(61)] (62) "Regular general election" means the election held throughout the state on
             229      the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year for the
             230      purposes established in Section 20A-1-201 .
             231          [(62)] (63) "Regular primary election" means the election on the fourth Tuesday of
             232      June of each even-numbered year, to nominate candidates of political parties and nonpolitical
             233      groups to advance to the regular general election.
             234          [(63)] (64) "Resident" means a person who resides within a specific voting precinct in
             235      Utah.
             236          [(64)] (65) "Sample ballot" means a mock ballot similar in form to the official ballot
             237      printed and distributed as provided in Section 20A-5-405 .
             238          [(65)] (66) "Scratch vote" means to mark or punch the straight party ticket and then
             239      mark or punch the ballot for one or more candidates who are members of different political
             240      parties.
             241          [(66)] (67) "Secrecy envelope" means the envelope given to a voter along with the
             242      ballot into which the voter places the ballot after the voter has voted it in order to preserve the

             243      secrecy of the voter's vote.
             244          [(67)] (68) "Special election" means an election held as authorized by Section
             245      20A-1-204 .
             246          [(68)] (69) "Spoiled ballot" means each ballot that:
             247          (a) is spoiled by the voter;
             248          (b) is unable to be voted because it was spoiled by the printer or a poll worker; or
             249          (c) lacks the official endorsement.
             250          [(69)] (70) "Statewide special election" means a special election called by the governor
             251      or the Legislature in which all registered voters in Utah may vote.
             252          [(70)] (71) "Stub" means the detachable part of each ballot.
             253          [(71)] (72) "Substitute ballots" means replacement ballots provided by an election
             254      officer to the poll workers when the official ballots are lost or stolen.
             255          [(72)] (73) "Ticket" means each list of candidates for each political party or for each
             256      group of petitioners.
             257          [(73)] (74) "Transfer case" means the sealed box used to transport voted ballots to the
             258      counting center.
             259          [(74)] (75) "Vacancy" means the absence of a person to serve in any position created
             260      by statute, whether that absence occurs because of death, disability, disqualification,
             261      resignation, or other cause.
             262          [(75)] (76) "Valid voter identification" means:
             263          (a) a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may
             264      include:
             265          (i) a currently valid Utah driver license;
             266          (ii) a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
             267          (A) the state; or
             268          (B) a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
             269          (iii) a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
             270          (iv) a currently valid United States passport; or
             271          (v) a currently valid United States military identification card;
             272          (b) one of the following identification cards, whether or not the card includes a
             273      photograph of the voter:

             274          (i) a valid tribal identification card;
             275          (ii) a Bureau of Indian Affairs card; or
             276          (iii) a tribal treaty card; or
             277          (c) two forms of identification not listed under Subsection [(75)] (76)(a) or (b) but that
             278      bear the name of the voter and provide evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct,
             279      which may include:
             280          (i) a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof, dated within the 90 days before the
             281      election;
             282          (ii) a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
             283          (iii) a certified birth certificate;
             284          (iv) a valid Social Security card;
             285          (v) a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
             286          (vi) a paycheck from the voter's employer, or a legible copy thereof;
             287          (vii) a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
             288          (viii) certified naturalization documentation;
             289          (ix) a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;
             290          (x) a certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change;
             291          (xi) a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card;
             292          (xii) a currently valid identification card issued by:
             293          (A) a local government within the state;
             294          (B) an employer for an employee; or
             295          (C) a college, university, technical school, or professional school located within the
             296      state; or
             297          (xiii) a current Utah vehicle registration.
             298          [(76)] (77) "Valid write-in candidate" means a candidate who has qualified as a
             299      write-in candidate by following the procedures and requirements of this title.
             300          [(77)] (78) "Voter" means a person who:
             301          (a) meets the requirements for voting in an election;
             302          (b) meets the requirements of election registration;
             303          (c) is registered to vote; and
             304          (d) is listed in the official register book.

             305          [(78)] (79) "Voter registration deadline" means the registration deadline provided in
             306      Section 20A-2-102.5 .
             307          [(79)] (80) "Voting area" means the area within six feet of the voting booths, voting
             308      machines, and ballot box.
             309          [(80)] (81) "Voting booth" means:
             310          (a) the space or compartment within a polling place that is provided for the preparation
             311      of ballots, including the voting machine enclosure or curtain; or
             312          (b) a voting device that is free standing.
             313          [(81)] (82) "Voting device" means:
             314          (a) an apparatus in which ballot sheets are used in connection with a punch device for
             315      piercing the ballots by the voter;
             316          (b) a device for marking the ballots with ink or another substance;
             317          (c) an electronic voting device or other device used to make selections and cast a ballot
             318      electronically, or any component thereof;
             319          (d) an automated voting system under Section 20A-5-302 ; or
             320          (e) any other method for recording votes on ballots so that the ballot may be tabulated
             321      by means of automatic tabulating equipment.
             322          [(82)] (83) "Voting machine" means a machine designed for the sole purpose of
             323      recording and tabulating votes cast by voters at an election.
             324          [(83)] (84) "Voting poll watcher" means a person appointed as provided in this title to
             325      witness the distribution of ballots and the voting process.
             326          [(84)] (85) "Voting precinct" means the smallest voting unit established as provided by
             327      law within which qualified voters vote at one polling place.
             328          [(85)] (86) "Watcher" means a voting poll watcher, a counting poll watcher, an
             329      inspecting poll watcher, and a testing watcher.
             330          [(86)] (87) "Western States Presidential Primary" means the election established in
             331      [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Part 8.
             332          [(87)] (88) "Write-in ballot" means a ballot containing any write-in votes.
             333          [(88)] (89) "Write-in vote" means a vote cast for a person whose name is not printed on
             334      the ballot according to the procedures established in this title.
             335          Section 2. Section 20A-1-306 is enacted to read:

             336          20A-1-306. Electronic signatures.
             337          Notwithstanding Title 46, Chapter 4, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and
             338      Sections 68-3-12 and 68-3-12.5 , an electronic signature may not be used to sign a petition to:
             339          (1) qualify a ballot proposition for the ballot under Chapter 7, Issues Submitted to the
             340      Voters;
             341          (2) organize and register a political party under Chapter 8, Political Party Formation
             342      and Procedures; or
             343          (3) qualify a candidate for the ballot under Chapter 9, Candidate Qualifications and
             344      Nominating Procedures.
             345          Section 3. Section 20A-2-102.5 is amended to read:
             346           20A-2-102.5. Voter registration deadline.
             347          (1) Except as provided in Section 20A-2-201 , Section 20A-2-206 , and [in Title 20A,]
             348      Chapter 3, Part 4, Voting by Members of the Military and by Other Persons Living or Serving
             349      Abroad, a person who fails to submit a correctly completed voter registration form on or before
             350      the voter registration deadline shall not be permitted to vote in the election.
             351          (2) The voter registration deadline shall be the date that is 30 calendar days before the
             352      date of the election.
             353          Section 4. Section 20A-2-206 is amended to read:
             354           20A-2-206. Electronic registration -- Requests for application.
             355          (1) The lieutenant governor may create and maintain an electronic system for voter
             356      registration that is publicly available on the Internet.
             357          (2) An electronic system for voter registration shall require:
             358          (a) that an applicant have a valid driver license or identification card, issued under Title
             359      53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act, that reflects the person's current principal place of
             360      residence;
             361          (b) that the applicant provide the information required by Section 20A-2-104 , except
             362      that the applicant's signature may be obtained in the manner described in Subsections (2)(d)
             363      and (4);
             364          (c) that the applicant attest to the truth of the information provided; and
             365          (d) that the applicant authorize the lieutenant governor's and county clerk's use of the
             366      applicant's driver license or identification card signature, obtained under Title 53, Chapter 3,

             367      Uniform Driver License Act, for voter registration purposes.
             368          (3) Notwithstanding Section 20A-2-104 , an applicant using the electronic system for
             369      voter registration created under this section is not required to complete a printed registration
             370      form.
             371          (4) A system created and maintained under this section shall provide the notices
             372      concerning a voter's presentation of identification contained in Subsection 20A-2-104 (1).
             373          (5) The lieutenant governor shall obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver license
             374      or identification card signature from the Driver License Division.
             375          (6) Upon receiving all information from an applicant and the Driver License Division,
             376      the lieutenant governor shall send the information to the county clerk for the county in which
             377      the applicant's principal place of residence is found for further action as required by Section
             378      20A-2-304 .
             379          (7) The lieutenant governor may use additional security measures to ensure the
             380      accuracy and integrity of an electronically submitted voter registration.
             381          (8) (a) If an individual applies to register under this section during the period beginning
             382      on the date after the voter registration deadline and ending on the date that is 15 calendar days
             383      before the date of an election, the county clerk shall:
             384          (i) accept the application for registration if the individual, on the date of the election,
             385      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the state; and
             386          (ii) inform the individual that:
             387          (A) the individual is registered to vote in the pending election; and
             388          (B) for the pending election, the individual must vote on the day of the election and is
             389      not eligible to vote using early voting under Chapter 3, Part 6, Early Voting, because the
             390      individual registered too late.
             391          (b) If an individual applies to register under this section during the 14 calendar days
             392      before an election, the county clerk shall:
             393          (i) accept the application for registration if the individual, on the date of the election,
             394      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the state; and
             395          (ii) inform the individual that the individual is registered to vote but may not vote in
             396      the pending election because the individual registered too late.
             397          (9) (a) A registered voter may file an application for an absentee ballot for a statewide

             398      ballot in accordance with Section 20A-3-304 on the electronic system for voter registration
             399      established under this section.
             400          (b) The lieutenant governor shall provide a means by which a registered voter shall
             401      sign the application form as provided in Section 20A-3-304 .
             402          Section 5. Section 20A-7-201 is amended to read:
             403           20A-7-201. Statewide initiatives -- Signature requirements -- Submission to the
             404      Legislature or to a vote of the people.
             405          (1) (a) A person seeking to have an initiative submitted to the Legislature for approval
             406      or rejection shall obtain:
             407          (i) legal signatures equal to 5% of the cumulative total of all votes cast by voters of this
             408      state for all candidates for [governor] President of the United States at the last regular general
             409      election at which a [governor] President of the United States was elected; and
             410          (ii) from each of at least 26 Utah State Senate districts, legal signatures equal to 5% of
             411      the total of all votes cast in that district for all candidates for [governor] President of the United
             412      States at the last regular general election at which a [governor] President of the United States
             413      was elected.
             414          (b) If, at any time not less than 10 days before the beginning of an annual general
             415      session of the Legislature, the lieutenant governor declares sufficient any initiative petition that
             416      is signed by enough voters to meet the requirements of this Subsection (1), the lieutenant
             417      governor shall deliver a copy of the petition and the cover sheet required by Subsection (1)(c)
             418      to the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House, and the director of the Office of
             419      Legislative Research and General Counsel.
             420          (c) In delivering a copy of the petition, the lieutenant governor shall include a cover
             421      sheet that contains:
             422          (i) the cumulative total of all votes cast by voters of this state for all candidates for
             423      [governor] President of the United States at the last regular general election at which a
             424      [governor] President of the United States was elected;
             425          (ii) the total of all votes cast in each Utah State Senate district for all candidates for
             426      [governor] President of the United States at the last regular general election at which a
             427      [governor] President of the United States was elected;
             428          (iii) the total number of certified signatures received for the submitted initiative; and

             429          (iv) the total number of certified signatures received from each Utah State Senate
             430      district for the submitted initiative.
             431          (2) (a) A person seeking to have an initiative submitted to a vote of the people for
             432      approval or rejection shall obtain:
             433          (i) legal signatures equal to 10% of the cumulative total of all votes cast by voters of
             434      this state for all candidates for [governor] President of the United States at the last regular
             435      general election at which a [governor] President of the United States was elected; and
             436          (ii) from each of at least 26 Utah State Senate districts, legal signatures equal to 10% of
             437      the total of all votes cast in that district for all candidates for [governor] President of the United
             438      States at the last regular general election at which a [governor] President of the United States
             439      was elected.
             440          (b) If an initiative petition meets the requirements of this part and the lieutenant
             441      governor declares the initiative petition to be sufficient, the lieutenant governor shall submit
             442      the proposed law to a vote of the people at the next regular general election.
             443          (3) The lieutenant governor shall provide the following information from the official
             444      canvass of the last regular general election at which a [governor] President of the United States
             445      was elected to any interested person:
             446          (a) the cumulative total of all votes cast by voters in this state for all candidates for
             447      [governor] President of the United States; and
             448          (b) for each Utah State Senate district, the total of all votes cast in that district for all
             449      candidates for [governor] President of the United States.
             450          Section 6. Section 20A-7-206 is amended to read:
             451           20A-7-206. Submitting the initiative petition -- Certification of signatures by the
             452      county clerks -- Transfer to lieutenant governor.
             453          (1) In order to qualify an initiative petition for placement on the regular general
             454      election ballot, the sponsors shall deliver each signed and verified initiative packet to the
             455      county clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated [no later than] on or before the
             456      sooner of:
             457          (a) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed; or
             458          (b) April 15 immediately before the next regular general election.
             459          (2) No later than May 1 before the regular general election, the county clerk shall:

             460          (a) check the names of all persons completing the verification for the initiative packet
             461      to determine whether or not those persons are residents of Utah and are at least 18 years old;
             462      and
             463          (b) submit the name of each of those persons who is not a Utah resident or who is not
             464      at least 18 years old to the attorney general and county attorney.
             465          (3) No later than May 15 before the regular general election, the county clerk shall:
             466          (a) determine whether or not each signer is a registered voter according to the
             467      requirements of Section 20A-7-206.3 ;
             468          (b) certify on the petition whether or not each name is that of a registered voter; and
             469          (c) deliver all of the packets to the lieutenant governor.
             470          (4) Upon receipt of an initiative packet under Subsection (3) and any statement
             471      submitted under Subsection 20A-7-205 (3), the lieutenant governor shall remove from the
             472      initiative petition a voter's signature if the voter has requested the removal in accordance with
             473      Subsection 20A-7-205 (3).
             474          (5) In order to qualify an initiative petition for submission to the Legislature, the
             475      sponsors shall deliver each signed and verified initiative packet to the county clerk of the
             476      county in which the packet was circulated by the November 15 before the annual general
             477      session of the Legislature.
             478          (6) No later than December 1 before the annual general session of the Legislature, the
             479      county clerk shall:
             480          (a) check the names of all persons completing the verification for the initiative packet
             481      to determine whether or not those persons are Utah residents and are at least 18 years old; and
             482          (b) submit the name of each of those persons who is not a Utah resident or who is not
             483      at least 18 years old to the attorney general and county attorney.
             484          (7) No later than December 15 before the annual general session of the Legislature, the
             485      county clerk shall:
             486          (a) determine whether or not each signer is a registered voter according to the
             487      requirements of Section 20A-7-206.3 ;
             488          (b) certify on the petition whether or not each name is that of a registered voter; and
             489          (c) deliver all of the packets to the lieutenant governor.
             490          (8) Initiative packets are public once they are delivered to the county clerks.

             491          (9) The sponsor or their representatives may not retrieve initiative packets from the
             492      county clerks once they have submitted them.
             493          Section 7. Section 20A-7-301 is amended to read:
             494           20A-7-301. Referendum -- Signature requirements -- Submission to voters.
             495          (1) (a) A person seeking to have a law passed by the Legislature submitted to a vote of
             496      the people shall obtain:
             497          (i) legal signatures equal to 10% of the cumulative total of all votes cast by voters of
             498      this state for all candidates for [governor] President of the United States at the last regular
             499      general election at which a [governor] President of the United States was elected; and
             500          (ii) from each of at least 15 counties, legal signatures equal to 10% of the total of all
             501      votes cast in that county for all candidates for [governor] President of the United States at the
             502      last regular general election at which a [governor] President of the United States was elected.
             503          (b) When the lieutenant governor declares a referendum petition sufficient under this
             504      part, the governor shall issue an executive order that:
             505          (i) directs that the referendum be submitted to the voters at the next regular general
             506      election; or
             507          (ii) calls a special election according to the requirements of Section 20A-1-203 and
             508      directs that the referendum be submitted to the voters at that special election.
             509          (2) When a referendum petition has been declared sufficient, the law that is the subject
             510      of the petition does not take effect unless and until it is approved by a vote of the people at a
             511      regular general election or a statewide special election.
             512          (3) The lieutenant governor shall provide to any interested person from the official
             513      canvass of the last regular general election at which a [governor] President of the United States
             514      was elected:
             515          (a) the cumulative total of all votes cast by voters of this state for all candidates for
             516      [governor] President of the United States; and
             517          (b) for each county, the total of all votes cast in that county for all candidates for
             518      [governor] President of the United States.
             519          Section 8. Section 20A-7-501 is amended to read:
             520           20A-7-501. Initiatives.
             521          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a person seeking to have an initiative

             522      submitted to a local legislative body or to a vote of the people for approval or rejection shall
             523      obtain legal signatures equal to:
             524          (i) 10% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             525      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             526      the United States was elected if the total number of votes exceeds 25,000;
             527          (ii) 12-1/2% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             528      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             529      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 25,000 but is more
             530      than 10,000;
             531          (iii) 15% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             532      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             533      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 10,000 but is more
             534      than 2,500;
             535          (iv) 20% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             536      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             537      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 2,500 but is more
             538      than 500;
             539          (v) 25% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             540      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             541      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 500 but is more than
             542      250; and
             543          (vi) 30% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             544      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             545      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 250.
             546          (b) In addition to the signature requirements of Subsection (1)(a), a person seeking to
             547      have an initiative submitted to a local legislative body or to a vote of the people for approval or
             548      rejection in a county, city, or town where the local legislative body is elected from council
             549      districts shall obtain, from each of a majority of council districts, legal signatures equal to the
             550      percentages established in Subsection (1)(a).
             551          (2) If the total number of certified names from each verified signature sheet equals or
             552      exceeds the number of names required by this section, the clerk or recorder shall deliver the

             553      proposed law to the local legislative body at its next meeting.
             554          (3) (a) The local legislative body shall either adopt or reject the proposed law without
             555      change or amendment within 30 days of receipt of the proposed law.
             556          (b) The local legislative body may:
             557          (i) adopt the proposed law and refer it to the people;
             558          (ii) adopt the proposed law without referring it to the people; or
             559          (iii) reject the proposed law.
             560          (c) If the local legislative body adopts the proposed law but does not refer it to the
             561      people, it is subject to referendum as with other local laws.
             562          (d) (i) If a county legislative body rejects a proposed county ordinance or amendment,
             563      or takes no action on it, the county clerk shall submit it to the voters of the county at the next
             564      regular general election.
             565          (ii) If a local legislative body rejects a proposed municipal ordinance or amendment, or
             566      takes no action on it, the municipal recorder or clerk shall submit it to the voters of the
             567      municipality at the next municipal general election.
             568          (e) (i) If the local legislative body rejects the proposed ordinance or amendment, or
             569      takes no action on it, the local legislative body may adopt a competing local law.
             570          (ii) The local legislative body shall prepare and adopt the competing local law within
             571      the 30 days allowed for its action on the measure proposed by initiative petition.
             572          (iii) If the local legislative body adopts a competing local law, the clerk or recorder
             573      shall submit it to the voters of the county or municipality at the same election at which the
             574      initiative proposal is submitted.
             575          (f) If conflicting local laws are submitted to the people at the same election and two or
             576      more of the conflicting measures are approved by the people, then the measure that receives the
             577      greatest number of affirmative votes shall control all conflicts.
             578          Section 9. Section 20A-7-506 is amended to read:
             579           20A-7-506. Submitting the initiative petition -- Certification of signatures by the
             580      county clerks -- Transfer to local clerk.
             581          (1) The sponsors shall deliver each signed and verified initiative packet to the county
             582      clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated [no later than] on or before the sooner
             583      of:

             584          (a) for county initiatives[, no later than]:
             585          (i) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed; or
             586          (ii) the April 15 [falling] immediately before the next regular general election; or
             587          (b) for municipal initiatives[, no later than]:
             588          (i) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed; or
             589          (ii) the April 15 [falling] immediately before the next municipal general election.
             590          (2) No later than May 1, the county clerk shall:
             591          (a) check the names of all persons completing the verification on the back of each
             592      signature sheet to determine whether or not those persons are residents of Utah and are at least
             593      18 years old; and
             594          (b) submit the name of each of those persons who is not a Utah resident or who is not
             595      at least 18 years old to the attorney general and county attorney.
             596          (3) No later than May 15, the county clerk shall:
             597          (a) determine whether or not each signer is a voter according to the requirements of
             598      Section 20A-7-506.3 ;
             599          (b) certify on the petition whether or not each name is that of a voter; and
             600          (c) deliver all of the packets to the local clerk.
             601          Section 10. Section 20A-7-601 is amended to read:
             602           20A-7-601. Referenda -- General signature requirements -- Signature
             603      requirements for land use laws -- Time requirements.
             604          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a person seeking to have a law passed by the
             605      local legislative body submitted to a vote of the people shall obtain legal signatures equal to:
             606          (a) 10% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             607      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             608      the United States was elected if the total number of votes exceeds 25,000;
             609          (b) 12-1/2% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             610      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             611      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 25,000 but is more
             612      than 10,000;
             613          (c) 15% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             614      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of

             615      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 10,000 but is more
             616      than 2,500;
             617          (d) 20% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             618      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             619      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 2,500 but is more
             620      than 500;
             621          (e) 25% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             622      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             623      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 500 but is more than
             624      250; and
             625          (f) 30% of all the votes cast in the county, city, or town for all candidates for
             626      [governor] President of the United States at the last election at which a [governor] President of
             627      the United States was elected if the total number of votes does not exceed 250.
             628          (2) (a) As used in this Subsection (2), "land use law" includes a land use development
             629      code, an annexation ordinance, and comprehensive zoning ordinances.
             630          (b) A person seeking to have a land use law passed by the local legislative body
             631      submitted to a vote of the people shall obtain legal signatures equal to:
             632          (i) in a county or in a city of the first or second class, 20% of all votes cast in the
             633      county or city for all candidates for [governor] President of the United States at the last election
             634      at which a [governor] President of the United States was elected; and
             635          (ii) in a city of the third, fourth, or fifth class or a town, 35% of all the votes cast in the
             636      city or town for all candidates for [governor] President of the United States at the last election
             637      at which a [governor] President of the United States was elected.
             638          (3) (a) Sponsors of any referendum petition challenging, under Subsection (1) or (2),
             639      any local law passed by a local legislative body shall file the petition within 45 days after the
             640      passage of the local law.
             641          (b) The local law remains in effect until repealed by the voters via referendum.
             642          (4) If the referendum passes, the local law that was challenged by the referendum is
             643      repealed as of the date of the election.
             644          Section 11. Section 20A-11-103 is amended to read:
             645           20A-11-103. Notice of pending interim and summary reports -- Form of

             646      submission -- Public availability.
             647          (1) (a) Except as provided under Subsection (1)(b), 10 days before an interim report or
             648      summary report is due under this chapter or Chapter 12, Part 2, Judicial Retention Elections,
             649      the chief election officer shall inform the filing entity by postal mail or, if requested by the
             650      filing entity, by electronic mail:
             651          (i) that the financial statement is due;
             652          (ii) of the date that the financial statement is due; and
             653          (iii) of the penalty for failing to file the financial statement.
             654          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1)(a), under this section the chief
             655      election officer is not required to provide notice:
             656          (i) to a candidate or political party of the financial statement that is due before the
             657      candidate's political convention;
             658          (ii) of a financial statement due in connection with a public hearing for an initiative
             659      under the requirements of Section 20A-7-204.1 ; or
             660          (iii) to a corporation or labor organization, as defined in Section 20A-11-1501 .
             661          (2) A filing entity shall electronically file a financial statement via electronic mail or
             662      the Internet according to specifications established by the chief election officer.
             663          (3) (a) A financial statement is considered timely filed if it is received by the chief
             664      election officer's office before the close of regular office hours on the date that it is due.
             665          (b) A chief election officer may extend the time in which a filing entity is required to
             666      file a financial statement if a filing entity notifies the chief election officer of the existence of
             667      an extenuating circumstance that is outside the control of the filing entity.
             668          (4) Notwithstanding any provision of Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records
             669      Access and Management Act, the lieutenant governor shall:
             670          (a) make each campaign finance statement filed by a candidate available for public
             671      inspection and copying no later than one business day after the statement is filed; and
             672          (b) post an electronic copy or the contents of each financial statement in a searchable
             673      format on a website established by the lieutenant governor:
             674          (i) for campaign finance statements submitted to the lieutenant governor under the
             675      requirements of Section 10-3-208 or Section 17-16-6.5 , no later than seven business days after
             676      the date of receipt of the campaign finance statement; or

             677          (ii) for a summary report or interim report filed under the requirements of this chapter
             678      or Chapter 12, Part 2, Judicial Retention Elections, no later than three business days after the
             679      date the statement is electronically filed.
             680          (5) If a municipality, under Section 10-3-208 , or a county, under Section 17-16-6.5 ,
             681      elects to provide campaign finance disclosure on its own website, rather than through the
             682      lieutenant governor, the website established by the lieutenant governor shall contain a link or
             683      other access point to the municipality or county website.
             684          Section 12. Effective date.
             685          If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
             686      upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
             687      Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
             688      the date of veto override.

[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]