S.B. 245

1

GENERAL GOVERNMENT REVISIONS -
2 AUTHORIZATION OF SALES TAX OPINION
3 QUESTION
4 2007 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble
7 House Sponsor: ____________
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This bill modifies the Election Code to establish procedures for submitting a
12 nonbinding opinion question to the voters of Utah regarding sales tax.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . establishes procedures for submitting a nonbinding opinion question to the voters of
16 Utah relating to the removal of sales and use tax on food;
17 . outlines the duties of the lieutenant governor and election officials in submitting the
18 opinion question to the voters;
19 . establishes procedures for the ballot form, voter information pamphlet, public
20 notice, manner of voting, and canvass of returns in relation to the opinion question;
21 . repeals Sections 36-16a-101 through 36-16a-108 and related provisions on January
22 1, 2009; and
23 . makes technical changes.
24 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
25 None
26 Other Special Clauses:
27 This bill provides an immediate effective date.

28 Utah Code Sections Affected:
29 AMENDS:
30 20A-1-102, as last amended by Chapters 16, 264 and 326, Laws of Utah 2006
31 20A-6-301, as last amended by Chapter 326, Laws of Utah 2006
32 20A-6-303, as last amended by Chapter 326, Laws of Utah 2006
33 20A-6-304, as enacted by Chapter 326, Laws of Utah 2006
34 20A-7-103, as last amended by Chapter 127, Laws of Utah 2002
35 20A-7-701, as last amended by Chapter 215, Laws of Utah 1997
36 20A-7-703, as enacted by Chapter 1 and last amended by Chapter 153, Laws of Utah
37 1995
38 20A-7-705, as last amended by Chapter 116, Laws of Utah 1999
39 63-55b-120, as last amended by Chapters 131 and 159, Laws of Utah 2003
40 ENACTS:
41 36-16a-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
42 36-16a-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
43 36-16a-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
44 36-16a-104, Utah Code Annotated 1953
45 36-16a-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953
46 36-16a-106, Utah Code Annotated 1953
47 36-16a-107, Utah Code Annotated 1953
48 36-16a-108, Utah Code Annotated 1953
49 63-55b-136, Utah Code Annotated 1953
50
51 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
52 Section 1. Section 20A-1-102 is amended to read:
53 20A-1-102. Definitions.
54 As used in this title:
55 (1) "Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive
56 voter by the county clerk.
57 (2) "Automatic tabulating equipment" means apparatus that automatically examines
58 and counts votes recorded on paper ballots or ballot sheets and tabulates the results.

59 (3) "Ballot" means the storage medium, whether paper, mechanical, or electronic, upon
60 which a voter records his votes and includes ballot sheets, paper ballots, electronic ballots, and
61 secrecy envelopes.
62 (4) "Ballot sheet":
63 (a) means a ballot that:
64 (i) consists of paper or a card where the voter's votes are marked or recorded; and
65 (ii) can be counted using automatic tabulating equipment; and
66 (b) includes punch card ballots, and other ballots that are machine-countable.
67 (5) "Ballot label" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages, or other materials that
68 contain the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to be voted
69 on and which are used in conjunction with ballot sheets that do not display that information.
70 (6) "Ballot proposition" means opinion questions [specifically] authorized [by the
71 Legislature,] under Section 36-16a-103 , constitutional amendments, initiatives, referenda, and
72 judicial retention questions that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection.
73 (7) "Board of canvassers" means the entities established by Sections 20A-4-301 and
74 20A-4-306 to canvass election returns.
75 (8) "Bond election" means an election held for the purpose of approving or rejecting
76 the proposed issuance of bonds by a government entity.
77 (9) "Book voter registration form" means voter registration forms contained in a bound
78 book that are used by election officers and registration agents to register persons to vote.
79 (10) "By-mail voter registration form" means a voter registration form designed to be
80 completed by the voter and mailed to the election officer.
81 (11) "Canvass" means the review of election returns and the official declaration of
82 election results by the board of canvassers.
83 (12) "Canvassing judge" means a poll worker designated to assist in counting ballots at
84 the canvass.
85 (13) "Convention" means the political party convention at which party officers and
86 delegates are selected.
87 (14) "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by the election officer in
88 charge of the election for the automatic counting of ballots.
89 (15) "Counting judge" means a poll worker designated to count the ballots during

90 election day.
91 (16) "Counting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in Section
92 20A-3-201 to witness the counting of ballots.
93 (17) "Counting room" means a suitable and convenient private place or room,
94 immediately adjoining the place where the election is being held, for use by the counting
95 judges to count ballots during election day.
96 (18) "County executive" has the meaning as provided in Subsection 68-3-12 (2).
97 (19) "County legislative body" has the meaning as provided in Subsection 68-3-12 (2).
98 (20) "County officers" means those county officers that are required by law to be
99 elected.
100 (21) "Election" means a regular general election, a municipal general election, a
101 statewide special election, a local special election, a regular primary election, a municipal
102 primary election, and a special district election.
103 (22) "Election Assistance Commission" means the commission established by Public
104 Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
105 (23) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day persons are eligible to
106 file declarations of candidacy and ending when the canvass is completed.
107 (24) "Election judge" means each canvassing judge, counting judge, and receiving
108 judge.
109 (25) "Election officer" means:
110 (a) the lieutenant governor, for all statewide ballots;
111 (b) the county clerk or clerks for all county ballots and for certain ballots and elections
112 as provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 ;
113 (c) the municipal clerk for all municipal ballots and for certain ballots and elections as
114 provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 ;
115 (d) the special district clerk or chief executive officer for certain ballots and elections
116 as provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 ; and
117 (e) the business administrator or superintendent of a school district for certain ballots
118 or elections as provided in Section 20A-5-400.5 .
119 (26) "Election official" means any election officer, election judge, poll worker, or
120 satellite registrar.

121 (27) "Election results" means, for bond elections, the count of those votes cast for and
122 against the bond proposition plus any or all of the election returns that the board of canvassers
123 may request.
124 (28) "Election returns" includes the pollbook, all affidavits of registration, the military
125 and overseas absentee voter registration and voting certificates, one of the tally sheets, any
126 unprocessed absentee ballots, all counted ballots, all excess ballots, all unused ballots, all
127 spoiled ballots, the ballot disposition form, and the total votes cast form.
128 (29) "Electronic ballot" means a ballot that is recorded using a direct electronic voting
129 device or other voting device that records and stores ballot information by electronic means.
130 (30) "Electronic voting system" means a system in which a voting device is used in
131 conjunction with ballots so that votes recorded by the voter are counted and tabulated by
132 automatic tabulating equipment.
133 (31) "Inactive voter" means a registered voter who has been sent the notice required by
134 Section 20A-2-306 and who has failed to respond to that notice.
135 (32) "Inspecting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in this title to
136 witness the receipt and safe deposit of voted and counted ballots.
137 (33) "Judicial office" means the office filled by any judicial officer.
138 (34) "Judicial officer" means any justice or judge of a court of record or any county
139 court judge.
140 (35) "Local election" means a regular municipal election, a local special election, a
141 special district election, and a bond election.
142 (36) "Local political subdivision" means a county, a municipality, a special district, or
143 a local school district.
144 (37) "Local special election" means a special election called by the governing body of a
145 local political subdivision in which all registered voters of the local political subdivision may
146 vote.
147 (38) "Municipal executive" means:
148 (a) the city council or town council in the traditional management arrangement
149 established by Title 10, Chapter 3, Part 1, Governing Body;
150 (b) the mayor in the council-mayor optional form of government defined in Section
151 10-3-101 ; and

152 (c) the manager in the council-manager optional form of government defined in
153 Section 10-3-101 .
154 (39) "Municipal general election" means the election held in municipalities and special
155 districts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year
156 for the purposes established in Section 20A-1-202 .
157 (40) "Municipal legislative body" means:
158 (a) the city council or town council in the traditional management arrangement
159 established by Title 10, Chapter 3, Part 1, Governing Body;
160 (b) the municipal council in the council-mayor optional form of government defined in
161 Section 10-3-101 ; and
162 (c) the municipal council in the council-manager optional form of government defined
163 in Section 10-3-101 .
164 (41) "Municipal officers" means those municipal officers that are required by law to be
165 elected.
166 (42) "Municipal primary election" means an election held to nominate candidates for
167 municipal office.
168 (43) "Official ballot" means the ballots distributed by the election officer to the poll
169 workers to be given to voters to record their votes.
170 (44) "Official endorsement" means:
171 (a) the information on the ballot that identifies:
172 (i) the ballot as an official ballot;
173 (ii) the date of the election; and
174 (iii) the facsimile signature of the election officer; and
175 (b) the information on the ballot stub that identifies:
176 (i) the poll worker's initials; and
177 (ii) the ballot number.
178 (45) "Official register" means the official record furnished to election officials by the
179 election officer that contains the information required by Section 20A-5-401 .
180 (46) "Paper ballot" means a paper that contains:
181 (a) the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to be
182 voted on; and

183 (b) spaces for the voter to record his vote for each office and for or against each ballot
184 proposition.
185 (47) "Political party" means an organization of registered voters that has qualified to
186 participate in an election by meeting the requirements of Title 20A, Chapter 8, Political Party
187 Formation and Procedures.
188 (48) (a) "Poll worker" means a person assigned by an election official to assist with an
189 election, voting, or counting votes.
190 (b) "Poll worker" includes election judges.
191 (c) "Poll worker" does not include a watcher.
192 (49) "Pollbook" means a record of the names of voters in the order that they appear to
193 cast votes.
194 (50) "Polling place" means the building where voting is conducted.
195 (51) "Position" means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a ballot
196 in which the voter marks his choice.
197 (52) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot voted provisionally by a person:
198 (a) whose name is not listed on the official register at the polling place;
199 (b) whose legal right to vote is challenged as provided in this title; or
200 (c) whose identity was not sufficiently established by an election judge.
201 (53) "Provisional ballot envelope" means an envelope printed in the form required by
202 Section 20A-6-105 that is used to identify provisional ballots and to provide information to
203 verify a person's legal right to vote.
204 (54) "Primary convention" means the political party conventions at which nominees for
205 the regular primary election are selected.
206 (55) "Protective counter" means a separate counter, which cannot be reset, that is built
207 into a voting machine and records the total number of movements of the operating lever.
208 (56) "Qualify" or "qualified" means to take the oath of office and begin performing the
209 duties of the position for which the person was elected.
210 (57) "Receiving judge" means the poll worker that checks the voter's name in the
211 official register, provides the voter with a ballot, and removes the ballot stub from the ballot
212 after the voter has voted.
213 (58) "Registration days" means the days designated in Section 20A-2-203 when a voter

214 may register to vote with a satellite registrar.
215 (59) "Registration form" means a book voter registration form and a by-mail voter
216 registration form.
217 (60) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is not a provisional ballot.
218 (61) "Regular general election" means the election held throughout the state on the first
219 Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year for the purposes
220 established in Section 20A-1-201 .
221 (62) "Regular primary election" means the election on the fourth Tuesday of June of
222 each even-numbered year, at which candidates of political parties and nonpolitical groups are
223 voted for nomination.
224 (63) "Resident" means a person who resides within a specific voting precinct in Utah.
225 (64) "Sample ballot" means a mock ballot similar in form to the official ballot printed
226 and distributed as provided in Section 20A-5-405 .
227 (65) "Satellite registrar" means a person appointed under Section 20A-5-201 to register
228 voters and perform other duties.
229 (66) "Scratch vote" means to mark or punch the straight party ticket and then mark or
230 punch the ballot for one or more candidates who are members of different political parties.
231 (67) "Secrecy envelope" means the envelope given to a voter along with the ballot into
232 which the voter places the ballot after he has voted it in order to preserve the secrecy of the
233 voter's vote.
234 (68) "Special district" means those local government entities created under the
235 authority of Title 17A.
236 (69) "Special district officers" means those special district officers that are required by
237 law to be elected.
238 (70) "Special election" means an election held as authorized by Section 20A-1-204 .
239 (71) "Spoiled ballot" means each ballot that:
240 (a) is spoiled by the voter;
241 (b) is unable to be voted because it was spoiled by the printer or a poll worker; or
242 (c) lacks the official endorsement.
243 (72) "Statewide special election" means a special election called by the governor or the
244 Legislature in which all registered voters in Utah may vote.

245 (73) "Stub" means the detachable part of each ballot.
246 (74) "Substitute ballots" means replacement ballots provided by an election officer to
247 the poll workers when the official ballots are lost or stolen.
248 (75) "Ticket" means each list of candidates for each political party or for each group of
249 petitioners.
250 (76) "Transfer case" means the sealed box used to transport voted ballots to the
251 counting center.
252 (77) "Vacancy" means the absence of a person to serve in any position created by
253 statute, whether that absence occurs because of death, disability, disqualification, resignation,
254 or other cause.
255 (78) "Valid voter identification" means:
256 (a) a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may
257 include:
258 (i) a currently valid Utah driver license;
259 (ii) a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
260 (A) the state;
261 (B) a local government within the state; or
262 (C) a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
263 (iii) an identification card that is issued by an employer for an employee;
264 (iv) a currently valid identification card that is issued by a college, university, technical
265 school, or professional school that is located within the state;
266 (v) a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
267 (vi) a currently valid United States passport; or
268 (vii) a valid tribal identification card; or
269 (b) two forms of identification that bear the name of the voter and provide evidence
270 that the voter resides in the voting precinct, which may include:
271 (i) a voter identification card;
272 (ii) a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof;
273 (iii) a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
274 (iv) a certified birth certificate;
275 (v) a valid Social Security card;

276 (vi) a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
277 (vii) a paycheck from the voter's employer, or a legible copy thereof;
278 (viii) a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
279 (ix) a currently valid United States military identification card;
280 (x) certified naturalization documentation;
281 (xi) a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;
282 (xii) a certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change;
283 (xiii) a Bureau of Indian Affairs card;
284 (xiv) a tribal treaty card;
285 (xv) a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card; or
286 (xvi) a form of identification listed in Subsection [(76)] (78)(a) that does not contain a
287 photograph, but establishes the name of the voter and provides evidence that the voter resides
288 in the voting precinct.
289 (79) "Valid write-in candidate" means a candidate who has qualified as a write-in
290 candidate by following the procedures and requirements of this title.
291 (80) "Voter" means a person who meets the requirements for voting in an election,
292 meets the requirements of election registration, is registered to vote, and is listed in the official
293 register book.
294 (81) "Voter registration deadline" means the registration deadline provided in Section
295 20A-2-102.5 .
296 (82) "Voting area" means the area within six feet of the voting booths, voting
297 machines, and ballot box.
298 (83) "Voting booth" means:
299 (a) the space or compartment within a polling place that is provided for the preparation
300 of ballots, including the voting machine enclosure or curtain; or
301 (b) a voting device that is free standing.
302 (84) "Voting device" means:
303 (a) an apparatus in which ballot sheets are used in connection with a punch device for
304 piercing the ballots by the voter;
305 (b) a device for marking the ballots with ink or another substance;
306 (c) a device used to make selections and cast a ballot electronically, or any component

307 thereof;
308 (d) an automated voting system under Section 20A-5-302 ; or
309 (e) any other method for recording votes on ballots so that the ballot may be tabulated
310 by means of automatic tabulating equipment.
311 (85) "Voting machine" means a machine designed for the sole purpose of recording
312 and tabulating votes cast by voters at an election.
313 (86) "Voting poll watcher" means a person appointed as provided in this title to
314 witness the distribution of ballots and the voting process.
315 (87) "Voting precinct" means the smallest voting unit established as provided by law
316 within which qualified voters vote at one polling place.
317 (88) "Watcher" means a voting poll watcher, a counting poll watcher, an inspecting
318 poll watcher, and a testing watcher.
319 (89) "Western States Presidential Primary" means the election established in Title 20A,
320 Chapter 9, Part 8.
321 (90) "Write-in ballot" means a ballot containing any write-in votes.
322 (91) "Write-in vote" means a vote cast for a person whose name is not printed on the
323 ballot according to the procedures established in this title.
324 Section 2. Section 20A-6-301 is amended to read:
325 20A-6-301. Paper ballots -- Regular general election.
326 (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
327 (a) all paper ballots furnished for use at the regular general election contain no captions
328 or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
329 (b) (i) the paper ballot contains a ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across the
330 top of the ballot, and divided from the rest of ballot by a perforated line;
331 (ii) the ballot number and the words " Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
332 stub; and
333 (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
334 (c) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
335 printed in 18-point bold type:
336 (i) "Official Ballot for ____ County, Utah";
337 (ii) the date of the election; and

338 (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the county clerk and the words "county clerk";
339 (d) each ticket is placed in a separate column on the ballot in the order determined by
340 the election officer with the party emblem, followed by the party name, at the head of the
341 column;
342 (e) the party name or title is printed in capital letters not less than 1/4 of an inch high;
343 (f) a circle 1/2 inch in diameter is printed immediately below the party name or title,
344 and the top of the circle is placed not less than two inches below the perforated line;
345 (g) unaffiliated candidates and candidates not affiliated with a registered political party
346 are listed in one column, without a party circle, with the following instructions printed at the
347 head of the column: "All candidates not affiliated with a political party are listed below. They
348 are to be considered with all offices and candidates listed to the left. Only one vote is allowed
349 for each office.";
350 (h) the columns containing the lists of candidates, including the party name and device,
351 are separated by heavy parallel lines;
352 (i) the offices to be filled are plainly printed immediately above the names of the
353 candidates for those offices;
354 (j) the names of candidates are printed in capital letters, not less than 1/8 nor more than
355 1/4 of an inch high in heavy-faced type not smaller than ten-point, between lines or rules 3/8 of
356 an inch apart;
357 (k) a square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in length is printed at the
358 right of the name of each candidate;
359 (l) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant governor,
360 one square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in length is printed opposite a
361 double bracket enclosing the right side of the names of the two candidates;
362 (m) immediately to the right of the unaffiliated ticket on the ballot, the ballot contains a
363 write-in column long enough to contain as many written names of candidates as there are
364 persons to be elected with:
365 (i) for each office on the ballot, the office to be filled plainly printed immediately
366 above:
367 (A) a blank, horizontal line to enable the entry of a valid write-in candidate and a
368 square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in length printed at the right of the

369 blank horizontal line; or
370 (B) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant
371 governor, two blank horizontal lines, one placed above the other, to enable the entry of two
372 valid write-in candidates, and one square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in
373 length printed opposite a double bracket enclosing the right side of the two blank horizontal
374 lines; and
375 (ii) the words "Write-In Voting Column" printed at the head of the column without a
376 1/2 inch circle;
377 (n) when required, the ballot includes a nonpartisan ticket placed immediately to the
378 right of the write-in ticket with the word "NONPARTISAN" in reverse type in an 18-point
379 solid rule running vertically the full length of the nonpartisan ballot copy; and
380 (o) constitutional amendments or other questions submitted to the vote of the people,
381 are printed on the ballot after the list of candidates.
382 (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
383 (a) each person nominated by any political party or group of petitioners is placed on the
384 ballot:
385 (i) under the party name and emblem, if any; or
386 (ii) under the title of the party or group as designated by them in their certificates of
387 nomination or petition, or, if none is designated, then under some suitable title;
388 (b) the names of all unaffiliated candidates that qualify as required in Title 20A,
389 Chapter 9, Part 5, Candidates not Affiliated with a Party, are placed on the ballot;
390 (c) the names of the candidates for president and vice president are used on the ballot
391 instead of the names of the presidential electors; and
392 (d) the ballots contain no other names.
393 (3) When the ballot contains a nonpartisan section, the election officer shall ensure
394 that:
395 (a) the designation of the office to be filled in the election and the number of
396 candidates to be elected are printed in type not smaller than eight-point;
397 (b) the words designating the office are printed flush with the left-hand margin;
398 (c) the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or more" extend to the extreme right of
399 the column;

400 (d) the nonpartisan candidates are grouped according to the office for which they are
401 candidates;
402 (e) the names in each group are placed in alphabetical order with the surnames last,
403 except for candidates for the State Board of Education and local school boards;
404 (f) the names of candidates for the State Board of Education are placed on the ballot as
405 certified by the lieutenant governor under Section 20A-14-105 ;
406 (g) if candidates for membership on a local board of education were selected in a
407 primary election, the name of the candidate who received the most votes in the primary election
408 is listed first on the ballot;
409 (h) if candidates for membership on a local board of education were not selected in the
410 primary election, the names of the candidates are listed on the ballot in the order determined by
411 a lottery conducted by the county clerk; and
412 (i) each group is preceded by the designation of the office for which the candidates
413 seek election, and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or more," according to the
414 number to be elected.
415 (4) Each election officer shall ensure that:
416 (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed on the ballot under the
417 heading "Constitutional Amendment Number __" with the number of the constitutional
418 amendment as assigned under Section 20A-7-103 placed in the blank;
419 (b) propositions submitted to the voters by the Utah Legislature or as authorized by
420 statute are listed on the ballot under the heading "State Proposition Number __" with the
421 number of the state proposition as assigned under Section 20A-7-103 placed in the blank;
422 (c) propositions submitted to the voters by a county are listed on the ballot under the
423 heading "County Proposition Number __" with the number of the county proposition as
424 assigned by the county legislative body placed in the blank;
425 (d) propositions submitted to the voters by a school district are listed on the ballot
426 under the heading "School District Proposition Number __" with the number of the school
427 district proposition as assigned by the county legislative body placed in the blank;
428 (e) state initiatives that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
429 heading "Citizen's State Initiative Number __" with the number of the state initiative as
430 assigned by Section 20A-7-209 placed in the blank;

431 (f) county initiatives that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
432 heading "Citizen's County Initiative Number __" with the number of the county initiative as
433 assigned under Section 20A-7-508 placed in the blank;
434 (g) state referenda that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
435 heading "Citizen's State Referendum Number __" with the number of the state referendum as
436 assigned under [Sections 20A-7-209 and] Section 20A-7-308 placed in the blank;
437 (h) county referenda that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
438 heading "Citizen's County Referendum Number __" with the number of the county referendum
439 as assigned under Section 20A-7-608 placed in the blank; and
440 (i) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
441 title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
442 Section 3. Section 20A-6-303 is amended to read:
443 20A-6-303. Regular general election -- Ballot sheets.
444 (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
445 (a) copy on the ballot sheets or ballot labels, as applicable, are arranged in
446 approximately the same order as paper ballots;
447 (b) the titles of offices and the names of candidates are printed in vertical columns or in
448 a series of separate pages;
449 (c) the ballot sheet or any pages used for the ballot label are of sufficient number to
450 include, after the list of candidates:
451 (i) the names of candidates for judicial offices and any other nonpartisan offices; and
452 (ii) any ballot propositions submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection;
453 (d) a voting square or position is included where the voter may record a straight party
454 ticket vote for all the candidates of one party by one mark or punch;
455 (e) the tickets are printed in the order determined by the county clerk;
456 (f) the office titles are printed above or at the side of the names of candidates so as to
457 indicate clearly the candidates for each office and the number to be elected;
458 (g) the party designation of each candidate is printed to the right or below the
459 candidate's name; and
460 (h) (i) if possible, all candidates for one office are grouped in one column or upon one
461 page;

462 (ii) if all candidates for one office cannot be listed in one column or grouped on one
463 page:
464 (A) the ballot sheet or ballot label shall be clearly marked to indicate that the list of
465 candidates is continued on the following column or page; and
466 (B) approximately the same number of names shall be printed in each column or on
467 each page; and
468 (i) arrows shall be used to indicate the place to vote for each candidate and on each
469 measure.
470 (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
471 (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed under the heading
472 "Constitutional Amendment Number __" with the number of the constitutional amendment as
473 assigned under Section 20A-7-103 placed in the blank;
474 (b) propositions submitted to the voters by the Utah Legislature or as authorized by
475 statute are listed under the heading "State Proposition Number __" with the number of the state
476 proposition as assigned under Section 20A-7-103 placed in the blank;
477 (c) propositions submitted to the voters by a county are listed under the heading
478 "County Proposition Number __" with the number of the county proposition as assigned by the
479 county legislative body placed in the blank;
480 (d) propositions submitted to the voters by a school district are listed under the heading
481 "School District Proposition Number __" with the number of the school district proposition as
482 assigned by the county legislative body placed in the blank;
483 (e) state initiatives that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the heading
484 "Citizen's State Initiative Number __" with the number of the state initiative as assigned under
485 Section 20A-7-209 placed in the blank;
486 (f) county initiatives that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the heading
487 "Citizen's County Initiative Number __" with the number of the county initiative as assigned
488 under Section 20A-7-508 placed in the blank;
489 (g) state referenda that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the heading
490 "Citizen's State Referendum Number __" with the number of the state referendum as assigned
491 under [Sections 20A-7-209 and] Section 20A-7-308 placed in the blank;
492 (h) county referenda that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the heading

493 "Citizen's County Referendum Number __" with the number of the county referendum as
494 assigned under Section 20A-7-608 placed in the blank; and
495 (i) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the title assigned
496 to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
497 Section 4. Section 20A-6-304 is amended to read:
498 20A-6-304. Regular general election -- Electronic ballots.
499 (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
500 (a) the format and content of the electronic ballot is arranged in approximately the
501 same order as paper ballots;
502 (b) the titles of offices and the names of candidates are displayed in vertical columns or
503 in a series of separate display screens;
504 (c) the electronic ballot is of sufficient length to include, after the list of candidates:
505 (i) the names of candidates for judicial offices and any other nonpartisan offices; and
506 (ii) any ballot propositions submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection;
507 (d) a voting square or position is included where the voter may record a straight party
508 ticket vote for all the candidates of one party by making a single selection;
509 (e) the tickets are displayed in the order determined by the county clerk;
510 (f) the office titles are displayed above or at the side of the names of candidates so as to
511 indicate clearly the candidates for each office and the number to be elected;
512 (g) the party designation of each candidate is displayed adjacent to the candidate's
513 name; and
514 (h) if possible, all candidates for one office are grouped in one column or upon one
515 display screen.
516 (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
517 (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are displayed under the heading
518 "Constitutional Amendment Number __" with the number of the constitutional amendment as
519 assigned under Section 20A-7-103 placed in the blank;
520 (b) propositions submitted to the voters by the Utah Legislature or as authorized by
521 statute are displayed under the heading "State Proposition Number __" with the number of the
522 state proposition as assigned under Section 20A-7-103 placed in the blank;
523 (c) propositions submitted to the voters by a county are displayed under the heading

524 "County Proposition Number __" with the number of the county proposition as assigned by the
525 county legislative body placed in the blank;
526 (d) propositions submitted to the voters by a school district are displayed under the
527 heading "School District Proposition Number __" with the number of the school district
528 proposition as assigned by the county legislative body placed in the blank;
529 (e) state initiatives that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the heading
530 "Citizen's State Initiative Number __" with the number of the state initiative as assigned under
531 Section 20A-7-209 placed in the blank;
532 (f) county initiatives that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the heading
533 "Citizen's County Initiative Number __" with the number of the county initiative as assigned
534 under Section 20A-7-508 placed in the blank;
535 (g) state referenda that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the heading
536 "Citizen's State Referendum Number __" with the number of the state referendum as assigned
537 under [Sections 20A-7-209 and] Section 20A-7-308 placed in the blank;
538 (h) county referenda that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the heading
539 "Citizen's County Referendum Number __" with the number of the county referendum as
540 assigned under Section 20A-7-608 placed in the blank; and
541 (i) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the title
542 assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
543 Section 5. Section 20A-7-103 is amended to read:
544 20A-7-103. Constitutional amendments and other questions -- Procedures for
545 submission to popular vote.
546 (1) The procedures contained in this section govern when:
547 (a) an opinion question is submitted to the voters under Section 36-16a-103 ;
548 [(a)] (b) the Legislature submits a proposed constitutional amendment or other question
549 to the voters; [and] or
550 [(b)] (c) an act of the Legislature is referred to the voters by referendum petition.
551 (2) (a) In addition to the preparation and publication in the voter information pamphlet
552 as required by [Section] Sections 20A-7-701 and 20A-7-702 , the lieutenant governor shall, not
553 more than 60 days or less than ten days before the regular general election, publish the full text
554 of the amendment, question, or statute in at least one newspaper in every county of the state

555 where a newspaper is published.
556 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), in lieu of publishing the full text of a statute or
557 resolution that authorizes an opinion question under Section 36-16a-103 , the lieutenant
558 governor may publish that portion of the text that constitutes the opinion question as
559 specifically provided for in the statute or resolution authorizing the opinion question.
560 (3) The legislative general counsel shall:
561 (a) entitle each proposed constitutional amendment "Constitutional Amendment
562 Number __" and give it a number;
563 (b) entitle each proposed question "State Proposition Number __" and give it a number;
564 (c) entitle each state referendum that has qualified for the ballot "Citizen's State
565 Referendum Number __" and give it a number;
566 (d) draft and designate a ballot title that summarizes the subject matter of the
567 amendment or question; and
568 (e) deliver them to the lieutenant governor.
569 (4) The lieutenant governor shall certify the number and ballot title of each amendment
570 or question to the county clerk of each county no later than the second Friday after the primary
571 election.
572 (5) The county clerk of each county shall:
573 (a) ensure that both the number and title of the amendment, question, or referendum is
574 printed on the sample ballots and official ballots; and
575 (b) publish them as provided by law.
576 Section 6. Section 20A-7-701 is amended to read:
577 20A-7-701. Voter information pamphlet to be prepared.
578 (1) [The] (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), the lieutenant governor shall
579 cause to be printed a voter information pamphlet designed to inform the voters of the state of
580 the content, effect, operation, fiscal impact, and the supporting and opposing arguments of any
581 measure submitted to the voters by the Legislature or statute, or by initiative or referendum
582 petition.
583 (b) The lieutenant governor may elect not to publish the voter information pamphlet
584 when an opinion question authorized under Section 36-16a-103 is presented to the voters at an
585 election other than a regular general election if:

586 (i) a statewide voter information pamphlet would not otherwise be required to be
587 prepared and published; and
588 (ii) the lieutenant governor provides notice of the opinion question as required by
589 Section 20A-7-103 and Subsection 36-16a-106 (4).
590 (2) The pamphlet shall also include a separate section prepared, analyzed, and
591 submitted by the Judicial Council describing the judicial selection and retention process.
592 (3) The lieutenant governor shall cause to be printed as many voter information
593 pamphlets as needed to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
594 Section 7. Section 20A-7-703 is amended to read:
595 20A-7-703. Impartial analysis of measure -- Determination of fiscal effects.
596 (1) The director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, after the
597 approval of the legislative general counsel as to legal sufficiency, shall:
598 (a) prepare an impartial analysis of each measure submitted to the voters by the
599 Legislature or statute, or by initiative or referendum petition; and
600 (b) submit the impartial analysis to the lieutenant governor no later than August 20 of
601 the year in which the measure will appear on the ballot.
602 (2) The director shall ensure that the impartial analysis:
603 (a) is not more than 1,000 words long;
604 (b) is prepared in clear and concise language that will easily be understood by the
605 average voter;
606 (c) avoids the use of technical terms as much as possible;
607 (d) shows the effect of the measure on existing law;
608 (e) identifies any potential conflicts with the United States or Utah Constitutions raised
609 by the measure;
610 (f) fairly describes the operation of the measure;
611 (g) identifies the measure's fiscal effects for the first full year of implementation and
612 the first year when the last provisions to be implemented are fully effective; and
613 (h) identifies the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local
614 government.
615 (3) The director shall analyze the measure as it is proposed to be adopted without
616 considering any implementing legislation, unless the implementing legislation has been enacted

617 and will become effective upon the adoption of the measure by the voters.
618 (4) (a) In determining the fiscal effects of a measure, the director shall confer with the
619 legislative fiscal analyst.
620 (b) The director shall consider any measure that requires implementing legislation in
621 order to take effect to have no financial effect, unless implementing legislation has been
622 enacted that will become effective upon adoption of the measure by the voters.
623 (5) If the director requests the assistance of any state department, agency, or official in
624 preparing his analysis, that department, agency, or official shall assist the director.
625 Section 8. Section 20A-7-705 is amended to read:
626 20A-7-705. Measures to be submitted to voters and referendum measures --
627 Preparation of argument of adoption.
628 (1) (a) Whenever [the Legislature submits any] a measure is submitted to the voters by
629 the Legislature or by statute, or whenever an act of the Legislature is referred to the voters by
630 referendum petition, the presiding officer of the house of origin of the measure shall appoint
631 the sponsor of the measure or act and one member of either house who voted with the majority
632 to pass the act or submit the measure to [draft] write an argument for the adoption of the
633 measure.
634 (b) (i) The argument may not exceed 500 words in length.
635 (ii) If the sponsor of the measure or act desires separate arguments to be written in
636 favor by each person appointed, separate arguments may be written but the combined length of
637 the two arguments may not exceed 500 words.
638 (2) (a) If a measure or act submitted to the voters by the Legislature or by statute, or by
639 referendum petition was not adopted unanimously by the Legislature, the presiding officer of
640 each house shall, at the same time as appointments to an argument in its favor are made,
641 appoint one member who voted against the measure or act from their house to write an
642 argument against the measure or act.
643 (b) (i) The argument may not exceed 500 words in length.
644 (ii) If those members appointed to write an argument against the measure or act desire
645 separate arguments to be written in opposition to the measure or act by each person appointed,
646 separate arguments may be written, but the combined length of the two arguments may not
647 exceed 500 words.

648 (3) (a) Notwithstanding Subsections (1) and (2), if an opinion question submitted to the
649 voters permits a voter to select one of more than two possible responses:
650 (i) (A) the presiding officer of each house shall jointly appoint members from either
651 house to write an argument in support of each possible response; and
652 (B) a different member shall be assigned to write each argument in support of each
653 possible response; and
654 (ii) (A) the presiding officer of each house shall jointly appoint members from either
655 house to write an argument against each possible response; and
656 (B) a different member shall be assigned to write each argument against each possible
657 response.
658 (b) Each argument may not exceed 500 words in length.
659 [(3)] (4) (a) The legislators appointed by the presiding officer of the Senate or House of
660 Representatives to submit arguments shall submit them to the lieutenant governor not later than
661 June 1.
662 (b) Except as provided in Subsection [(3)] (4)(d), the authors may not amend or change
663 the arguments after they are submitted to the lieutenant governor.
664 (c) Except as provided in Subsection [(3)] (4)(d), the lieutenant governor may not alter
665 the arguments in any way.
666 (d) The lieutenant governor and the authors of an argument may jointly modify an
667 argument after it is submitted if:
668 (i) they jointly agree that changes to the argument must be made to correct spelling or
669 grammatical errors; and
670 (ii) the argument has not yet been submitted for typesetting.
671 [(4)] (5) (a) If an argument [for or an argument against a measure submitted to the
672 voters by the Legislature or by referendum petition] has not been filed by a member of the
673 Legislature within the time required by this section, any voter may request the presiding officer
674 of the house in which the measure originated for permission to prepare and file an argument for
675 the side on which no argument has been prepared by a member of the Legislature.
676 (b) (i) The presiding officer of the house of origin shall grant permission unless two or
677 more voters request permission to submit arguments on the same side of a measure.
678 (ii) If two or more voters request permission to submit arguments on the same side of a

679 measure, the presiding officer shall designate one of the voters to write the argument.
680 (c) Any argument prepared under this Subsection shall be submitted to the lieutenant
681 governor not later than June 15.
682 (d) The lieutenant governor may not accept a ballot argument submitted under this
683 section unless it is accompanied by:
684 (i) the name and address of the person submitting it, if it is submitted by an individual
685 voter; or
686 (ii) the name and address of the organization and the names and addresses of at least
687 two of its principal officers, if it is submitted on behalf of an organization.
688 (e) Except as provided in Subsection [(4)] (5)(g), the authors may not amend or change
689 the arguments after they are submitted to the lieutenant governor.
690 (f) Except as provided in Subsection [(4)] (5)(g), the lieutenant governor may not alter
691 the arguments in any way.
692 (g) The lieutenant governor and the authors of an argument may jointly modify an
693 argument after it is submitted if:
694 (i) they jointly agree that changes to the argument must be made to correct spelling or
695 grammatical errors; and
696 (ii) the argument has not yet been submitted for typesetting.
697 Section 9. Section 36-16a-101 is enacted to read:
698 CHAPTER 16a. ELECTION PROCESS FOR STATEWIDE PUBLIC OPINION
699 QUESTION ON SALES TAX
700 36-16a-101. Title.
701 This chapter is known as the "Election Process for Statewide Public Opinion Question
702 on Sales Tax."
703 Section 10. Section 36-16a-102 is enacted to read:
704 36-16a-102. Definitions.
705 As used in this chapter:
706 (1) "Election official" means the county clerk or municipal clerk.
707 (2) "Opinion question" means a nonbinding question that is submitted to all the legal
708 voters of the state according to the procedures established in this chapter and that requests the
709 public's opinion on:

710 (a) the removal of food and food ingredients from the state and local sales and use tax
711 base under Section 59-12-103 ; and
712 (b) the exemption of sales of food and food ingredients from a state or local sales and
713 use tax.
714 (3) "Originating house" means:
715 (a) if the opinion question is authorized by a resolution:
716 (i) the Utah House of Representatives if the resolution is a House joint resolution; or
717 (ii) the Utah Senate if the resolution is a Senate joint resolution; or
718 (b) if the opinion question is authorized by statute, the legislative house where the bill
719 that enacted the statute originated.
720 Section 11. Section 36-16a-103 is enacted to read:
721 36-16a-103. Submission of opinion questions to Utah voters.
722 (1) The Legislature may submit an opinion question, as defined under Section
723 36-16a-102 , to the legal voters of the state:
724 (a) by passing a joint resolution meeting the requirements of this section; or
725 (b) by statute, provided that the statute meets the requirements of this section.
726 (2) The statute or joint resolution required under Subsection (1) shall include:
727 (a) the language of the opinion question as it will appear on the ballot;
728 (b) a statement directing that the lieutenant governor submit the language of the
729 opinion question to the legal voters of the state; and
730 (c) language designating the date of the election in which the opinion question shall be
731 submitted to the voters.
732 Section 12. Section 36-16a-104 is enacted to read:
733 36-16a-104. Lieutenant governor's duties.
734 (1) After the Legislature authorizes an opinion question authorized under Section
735 36-16a-103 , the lieutenant governor shall:
736 (a) submit the opinion question to the legal voters of Utah as required by the statute or
737 resolution;
738 (b) comply with the procedures of Section 36-16a-106 ; and
739 (c) comply with all relevant provisions of Title 20A, Election Code, relating to the
740 conduct of elections.

741 (2) The lieutenant governor may establish additional requirements for election officials
742 to facilitate the conduct of the election.
743 Section 13. Section 36-16a-105 is enacted to read:
744 36-16a-105. Election official duties.
745 Each election official shall comply with:
746 (1) the requirements of Title 20A, Election Code;
747 (2) the requirements of Section 36-16a-106 ; and
748 (3) any other requirement imposed by the lieutenant governor.
749 Section 14. Section 36-16a-106 is enacted to read:
750 36-16a-106. Procedures for submission of opinion questions to popular vote.
751 (1) The lieutenant governor, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel,
752 and each election official shall comply with the procedures contained in this section whenever
753 the Legislature authorizes an opinion question under Section 36-16a-103 .
754 (2) Not later than 60 days before the date of the election, the Office of Legislative
755 Research and General Counsel shall:
756 (a) draft and designate a ballot title that summarizes the subject matter of the opinion
757 question; and
758 (b) deliver the materials created under Subsection (2)(a) to the lieutenant governor.
759 (3) Not later than 35 days before the date of the election, the lieutenant governor shall
760 certify the number and ballot title of the opinion question to each election official.
761 (4) Not later than 30 days before the date of the election, the lieutenant governor shall
762 cause the full text of the opinion question to be published in at least one newspaper in every
763 county of the state where a newspaper is published.
764 (5) Each election official shall cause both the number and title of the opinion question
765 to be:
766 (a) printed on the ballot to be used on election day;
767 (b) printed on the sample ballots; and
768 (c) otherwise published as provided by law.
769 Section 15. Section 36-16a-107 is enacted to read:
770 36-16a-107. Ballot form -- Manner of voting.
771 The lieutenant governor shall ensure that a ballot containing an opinion question

772 includes:
773 (1) a number and ballot title;
774 (2) the text of the opinion question; and
775 (3) (a) the words "YES" and "NO," each adjacent to a square which the voter may
776 select or mark to indicate the voter's vote; or
777 (b) all possible responses to the opinion question, each adjacent to a square which the
778 voter may select or mark to indicate the voter's vote.
779 Section 16. Section 36-16a-108 is enacted to read:
780 36-16a-108. Canvass of returns.
781 (1) The county legislative body shall conduct a public canvass of the returns from the
782 opinion question election no later than 14 days after the election.
783 (2) Each election official shall:
784 (a) make a certified abstract of the record of the canvassers detailing the votes cast on
785 the opinion question; and
786 (b) seal the transcript, endorse it "Election Returns," and transmit it to the lieutenant
787 governor's office so that the lieutenant governor receives it by the fifth day before the day
788 designated for the meeting of the state board of canvassers.
789 (3) The state board of canvassers established by Section 20A-4-306 shall meet to
790 compute and determine the vote on the opinion question.
791 (4) After consulting existing statutes governing elections, the lieutenant governor may
792 determine any issues relating to the canvassing process that are not governed by this section.
793 Section 17. Section 63-55b-120 is amended to read:
794 63-55b-120. Repeal dates, Title 20A.
795 (1) Subsections 20A-7-103 (1)(a) and (2)(b) are repealed on January 1, 2009.
796 (2) Section 20A-2-107.5 is repealed July 1, 2008.
797 (3) Subsection 20A-7-701 (1)(b) is repealed on January 1, 2009.
798 (4) Subsection 20A-7-705 (3) is repealed on January 1, 2009.
799 Section 18. Section 63-55b-136 is enacted to read:
800 63-55b-136. Repeal dates -- Title 36.
801 Sections 36-16a-101 through 36-16a-108 are repealed January 1, 2009.
802 Section 19. Effective date.

803 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
804 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
805 Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
806 the date of veto override.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-2-07 11:22 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel