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First Substitute S.B. 27

Senator Peter C. Knudson proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
ELECTION LAW CHANGES

             2     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson

             5     
House Sponsor: Douglas C. Aagard

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill makes changes to Title 20A, Election Code.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    clarifies the requirements to be legally entitled to vote when voting in a precinct
             13      outside of one's own;
             14          .    changes the date for the Western States Presidential Primary election canvass;
             15          .    changes numerous provisions that require specific placement of various ballot items
             16      to more general placement requirements;
             17          .    clarifies that a proposed constitutional amendment is a "measure" for the purposes
             18      of Title 20A, Chapter 7, Issues Submitted to the Voters;
             19          .    addresses the responsibility for prosecuting misconduct of electors and officers;
             20          .    changes the unaffiliated candidate pledge to include a pledge concerning campaign
             21      financial disclosures;
             22          .    changes filing deadlines for certain city, town, or local district offices;
             23          .     allows an unaffiliated candidate for President or Vice President of the United States
             24      to use a designated agent to file a certificate of nomination;
             25          .    clarifies that a write-in candidate must file a declaration of candidacy in person or


             26      through a designated agent; and
             27          .    makes technical changes.
             28      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             29          None
             30      Other Special Clauses:
             31          This bill coordinates with H.B. 56, Declaration of Candidacy Amendments by merging
             32      substantive amendments.
             33      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             34      AMENDS:
             35          20A-4-107, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 75 and 285
             36          20A-4-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             37          20A-6-101, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 2
             38          20A-6-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 225 and 315
             39          20A-6-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 225 and 315
             40          20A-6-401, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 2
             41          20A-6-401.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 326
             42          20A-6-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 315
             43          20A-7-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 236
             44          20A-7-210, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 1
             45          20A-7-309, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 1
             46          20A-7-312, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1999, Chapter 45
             47          20A-7-509, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 272
             48          20A-7-609, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 237
             49          20A-9-206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             50          20A-9-502, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 107
             51          20A-9-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 329
             52          20A-9-601, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             53          20A-11-206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 14
             54          20A-11-305, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 14
             55          20A-15-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1995, Chapter 1
             56     


             57      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             58          Section 1. Section 20A-4-107 is amended to read:
             59           20A-4-107. Review and disposition of provisional ballot envelopes.
             60          (1) As used in this section, a voter is "legally entitled to vote" if:
             61          (a) the voter:
             62          (i) is registered to vote in the state;
             63          (ii) resides within the voting precinct where the voter seeks to vote; and
             64          (iii) provided valid voter identification to the poll worker as indicated by a notation in
             65      the official register;
             66          (b) the voter:
             67          (i) is registered to vote in the state; [and]
             68          (ii) (A) provided valid voter identification to the poll worker as indicated by a notation
             69      in the official register; or
             70          (B) either failed to provide valid voter identification or the documents provided as
             71      valid voter identification were inadequate and the poll worker recorded that fact in the official
             72      register but the county clerk verifies the voter's identity and residence through some other
             73      means; and
             74          [(ii)] (iii) did not vote in the voter's precinct of residence, but the ballot that the voter
             75      voted is identical to the ballot voted in the voter's precinct of residence; or
             76          (c) the voter:
             77          (i) is registered to vote in the state;
             78          (ii) [the poll worker recorded in the official register that the voter] either failed to
             79      provide valid voter identification or the documents provided as valid voter identification were
             80      inadequate and the poll worker recorded that fact in the official register; and
             81          (iii) the county clerk verifies the voter's identity and residence through some other
             82      means.
             83          (2) (a) Upon receipt of provisional ballot envelopes, the election officer shall review
             84      the affirmation on the face of each provisional ballot envelope and determine if the person
             85      signing the affirmation is a registered voter and legally entitled to vote the ballot that the voter
             86      voted.
             87          (b) If the election officer determines that the person is not a registered voter or is not


             88      legally entitled to vote the ballot that the voter voted, the election officer shall retain the ballot
             89      envelope, unopened, for the period specified in Section 20A-4-202 unless ordered by a court to
             90      produce or count it.
             91          (c) If the election officer determines that the person is a registered voter and is legally
             92      entitled to vote the ballot that the voter voted, the election officer shall remove the ballot from
             93      the provisional ballot envelope and place the ballot with the absentee ballots to be counted with
             94      those ballots at the canvass.
             95          (d) The election officer may not count, or allow to be counted a provisional ballot
             96      unless the voter's identity and residence is established by a preponderance of the evidence.
             97          (3) If the election officer determines that the person is a registered voter, the election
             98      officer shall ensure that the voter registration records are updated to reflect the information
             99      provided on the provisional ballot envelope.
             100          (4) If the election officer determines that the person is not a registered voter and the
             101      information on the provisional ballot envelope is complete, the election officer shall:
             102          (a) consider the provisional ballot envelope a voter registration form; and
             103          (b) register the voter.
             104          Section 2. Section 20A-4-306 is amended to read:
             105           20A-4-306. Statewide canvass.
             106          (1) (a) The state board of canvassers shall convene:
             107          (i) on the fourth Monday of November, at noon; or
             108          (ii) at noon on the day following the receipt by the lieutenant governor of the last of the
             109      returns of a statewide special election.
             110          (b) The state auditor, the state treasurer, and the attorney general are the state board of
             111      canvassers.
             112          (c) Attendance of all members of the state board of canvassers shall be required to
             113      constitute a quorum for conducting the canvass.
             114          (2) (a) The state board of canvassers shall:
             115          (i) meet in the lieutenant governor's office; and
             116          (ii) compute and determine the vote for officers and for and against any ballot
             117      propositions voted upon by the voters of the entire state or of two or more counties.
             118          (b) The lieutenant governor, as secretary of the board shall file a report in his office


             119      that details:
             120          (i) for each statewide officer and ballot proposition:
             121          (A) the name of the statewide office or ballot proposition that appeared on the ballot;
             122          (B) the candidates for each statewide office whose names appeared on the ballot, plus
             123      any recorded write-in candidates;
             124          (C) the number of votes from each county cast for each candidate and for and against
             125      each ballot proposition;
             126          (D) the total number of votes cast statewide for each candidate and for and against each
             127      ballot proposition; and
             128          (E) the total number of votes cast statewide; and
             129          (ii) for each officer or ballot proposition voted on in two or more counties:
             130          (A) the name of each of those offices and ballot propositions that appeared on the
             131      ballot;
             132          (B) the candidates for those offices, plus any recorded write-in candidates;
             133          (C) the number of votes from each county cast for each candidate and for and against
             134      each ballot proposition; and
             135          (D) the total number of votes cast for each candidate and for and against each ballot
             136      proposition.
             137          (c) The lieutenant governor shall:
             138          (i) prepare certificates of election for:
             139          (A) each successful candidate; and
             140          (B) each of the presidential electors of the candidate for president who received a
             141      majority of the votes;
             142          (ii) authenticate each certificate with his seal; and
             143          (iii) deliver a certificate of election to:
             144          (A) each candidate who had the highest number of votes for each office; and
             145          (B) each of the presidential electors of the candidate for president who received a
             146      majority of the votes.
             147          (3) If the lieutenant governor has not received election returns from all counties on the
             148      fifth day before the day designated for the meeting of the state board of canvassers, the
             149      lieutenant governor shall:


             150          (a) send a messenger to the clerk of the board of county canvassers of the delinquent
             151      county;
             152          (b) instruct the messenger to demand a certified copy of the board of canvasser's report
             153      required by Section 20A-4-304 from the clerk; and
             154          (c) pay the messenger the per diem provided by law as compensation.
             155          (4) The state board of canvassers may not withhold the declaration of the result or any
             156      certificate of election because of any defect or informality in the returns of any election if the
             157      board can determine from the returns, with reasonable certainty, what office is intended and
             158      who is elected to it.
             159          (5) (a) At noon on the fourth Monday after the regular primary election, the lieutenant
             160      governor shall:
             161          (i) canvass the returns for all multicounty candidates required to file with the office of
             162      the lieutenant governor; and
             163          (ii) publish and file the results of the canvass in the lieutenant governor's office.
             164          (b) The lieutenant governor shall certify the results of the primary canvass to the
             165      county clerks not later than the August 1 after the primary election.
             166          (6) (a) At noon on the [Tuesday] day that falls [two weeks after] seven days after the
             167      last day on which a county canvass may occur under Section 20A-4-301 for the Western States
             168      Presidential Primary election, the lieutenant governor shall:
             169          (i) canvass the returns; and
             170          (ii) publish and file the results of the canvass in the lieutenant governor's office.
             171          (b) The lieutenant governor shall certify the results of the Western States Presidential
             172      Primary canvass to each registered political party that participated in the primary not later than
             173      the April 15 after the primary election.
             174          Section 3. Section 20A-6-101 is amended to read:
             175           20A-6-101. General requirements for paper ballots.
             176          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that paper ballots:
             177          (a) are printed on only one side of the paper;
             178          (b) are printed using precisely the same quality and tint of plain white paper through
             179      which the printing or writing cannot be seen;
             180          (c) are printed using precisely the same quality and kind of type;


             181          (d) are printed using precisely the same quality and tint of plain black ink;
             182          (e) are uniform in size for all the voting precincts within the election officer's
             183      jurisdiction;
             184          (f) include, in elections where write-in voting is authorized, a write-in column
             185      immediately [to the right of] adjacent to the last column on the ballot that is long enough to
             186      contain as many written names of candidates as there are persons to be elected with:
             187          (i) the offices to be filled printed above the blank spaces on the ticket; and
             188          (ii) the words "Write-In Voting Column" printed at the head of the column without a
             189      1/2 inch circle.
             190          (2) Whenever the vote for candidates is to be limited to the voters of a particular
             191      political division, the election officer shall ensure that the names of those candidates are
             192      printed only upon those ballots provided to that political division.
             193          Section 4. Section 20A-6-301 is amended to read:
             194           20A-6-301. Paper ballots -- Regular general election.
             195          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             196          (a) all paper ballots furnished for use at the regular general election contain no captions
             197      or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
             198          (b) (i) the paper ballot contains a ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across the
             199      top of the ballot, and divided from the rest of ballot by a perforated line;
             200          (ii) the ballot number and the words " Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             201      stub; and
             202          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             203          (c) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             204      printed in 18-point bold type:
             205          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ County, Utah";
             206          (ii) the date of the election; and
             207          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the county clerk and the words "county clerk";
             208          (d) each ticket is placed in a separate column on the ballot in the order determined by
             209      the election officer with the party emblem, followed by the party name, at the head of the
             210      column;
             211          (e) the party name or title is printed in capital letters not less than 1/4 of an inch high;


             212          (f) a circle 1/2 inch in diameter is printed immediately below the party name or title,
             213      and the top of the circle is placed not less than two inches below the perforated line;
             214          (g) unaffiliated candidates and candidates not affiliated with a registered political party
             215      are listed in one column, without a party circle, with the following instructions printed at the
             216      head of the column: "All candidates not affiliated with a political party are listed below. They
             217      are to be considered with all offices and candidates listed to the left. Only one vote is allowed
             218      for each office.";
             219          (h) the columns containing the lists of candidates, including the party name and device,
             220      are separated by heavy parallel lines;
             221          (i) the offices to be filled are plainly printed immediately above the names of the
             222      candidates for those offices;
             223          (j) the names of candidates are printed in capital letters, not less than 1/8 nor more than
             224      1/4 of an inch high in heavy-faced type not smaller than ten-point, between lines or rules 3/8 of
             225      an inch apart;
             226          (k) a square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in length is printed [at the
             227      right of] immediately adjacent to the name of each candidate;
             228          (l) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant governor,
             229      one square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in length is printed on the same
             230      side as but opposite a double bracket enclosing [the right side of] the names of the two
             231      candidates;
             232          (m) immediately [to the right of] adjacent to the unaffiliated ticket on the ballot, the
             233      ballot contains a write-in column long enough to contain as many written names of candidates
             234      as there are persons to be elected with:
             235          (i) for each office on the ballot, the office to be filled plainly printed immediately
             236      above:
             237          (A) a blank, horizontal line to enable the entry of a valid write-in candidate and a
             238      square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in length printed [at the right of]
             239      immediately adjacent to the blank horizontal line; or
             240          (B) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant
             241      governor, two blank horizontal lines, one placed above the other, to enable the entry of two
             242      valid write-in candidates, and one square with sides measuring not less than 1/4 of an inch in


             243      length printed on the same side as but opposite a double bracket enclosing [the right side of]
             244      the two blank horizontal lines; and
             245          (ii) the words "Write-In Voting Column" printed at the head of the column without a
             246      1/2 inch circle;
             247          (n) when required, the ballot includes a nonpartisan ticket placed immediately [to the
             248      right of] adjacent to the write-in ticket with the word "NONPARTISAN" in reverse type in an
             249      18-point solid rule running vertically the full length of the nonpartisan ballot copy; and
             250          (o) constitutional amendments or other questions submitted to the vote of the people,
             251      are printed on the ballot after the list of candidates.
             252          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             253          (a) each person nominated by any political party or group of petitioners is placed on the
             254      ballot:
             255          (i) under the party name and emblem, if any; or
             256          (ii) under the title of the party or group as designated by them in their certificates of
             257      nomination or petition, or, if none is designated, then under some suitable title;
             258          (b) the names of all unaffiliated candidates that qualify as required in Title 20A,
             259      Chapter 9, Part 5, Candidates not Affiliated with a Party, are placed on the ballot;
             260          (c) the names of the candidates for president and vice president are used on the ballot
             261      instead of the names of the presidential electors; and
             262          (d) the ballots contain no other names.
             263          (3) When the ballot contains a nonpartisan section, the election officer shall ensure
             264      that:
             265          (a) the designation of the office to be filled in the election and the number of
             266      candidates to be elected are printed in type not smaller than eight-point;
             267          (b) the words designating the office are printed flush with the left-hand margin;
             268          (c) the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or more" extend to the extreme right of
             269      the column;
             270          (d) the nonpartisan candidates are grouped according to the office for which they are
             271      candidates;
             272          (e) the names in each group are placed in alphabetical order with the surnames last,
             273      except for candidates for the State Board of Education and local school boards;


             274          (f) the names of candidates for the State Board of Education are placed on the ballot as
             275      certified by the lieutenant governor under Section 20A-14-105 ;
             276          (g) if candidates for membership on a local board of education were selected in a
             277      primary election, the name of the candidate who received the most votes in the primary election
             278      is listed first on the ballot;
             279          (h) if candidates for membership on a local board of education were not selected in the
             280      primary election, the names of the candidates are listed on the ballot in the order determined by
             281      a lottery conducted by the county clerk; and
             282          (i) each group is preceded by the designation of the office for which the candidates
             283      seek election, and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or more," according to the
             284      number to be elected.
             285          (4) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             286          (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed on the ballot in
             287      accordance with Section 20A-6-107 ;
             288          (b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are listed on the ballot in accordance
             289      with Section 20A-6-107 ; and
             290          (c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
             291      title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             292          Section 5. Section 20A-6-303 is amended to read:
             293           20A-6-303. Regular general election -- Ballot sheets.
             294          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             295          (a) copy on the ballot sheets or ballot labels, as applicable, are arranged in
             296      approximately the same order as paper ballots;
             297          (b) the titles of offices and the names of candidates are printed in vertical columns or in
             298      a series of separate pages;
             299          (c) the ballot sheet or any pages used for the ballot label are of sufficient number to
             300      include, after the list of candidates:
             301          (i) the names of candidates for judicial offices and any other nonpartisan offices; and
             302          (ii) any ballot propositions submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection;
             303          (d) (i) a voting square or position is included where the voter may record a straight
             304      party ticket vote for all the candidates of one party by one mark or punch; and


             305          (ii) the name of each political party listed in the straight party selection area includes
             306      the word "party" at the end of the party's name;
             307          (e) the tickets are printed in the order determined by the county clerk;
             308          (f) the office titles are printed [above or at the side of] immediately adjacent to the
             309      names of candidates so as to indicate clearly the candidates for each office and the number to
             310      be elected;
             311          (g) the party designation of each candidate is printed [to the right or below]
             312      immediately adjacent to the candidate's name; and
             313          (h) (i) if possible, all candidates for one office are grouped in one column or upon one
             314      page;
             315          (ii) if all candidates for one office cannot be listed in one column or grouped on one
             316      page:
             317          (A) the ballot sheet or ballot label shall be clearly marked to indicate that the list of
             318      candidates is continued on the following column or page; and
             319          (B) approximately the same number of names shall be printed in each column or on
             320      each page.
             321          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             322          (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed in accordance with
             323      Section 20A-6-107 ;
             324          (b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are listed in accordance with Section
             325      20A-6-107 ; and
             326          (c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the title
             327      assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             328          Section 6. Section 20A-6-401 is amended to read:
             329           20A-6-401. Ballots for municipal primary elections.
             330          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             331          (a) (i) the ballot contains a perforated ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across
             332      the top of the ballot;
             333          (ii) the ballot number and the words ["Judge's] "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed
             334      on the stub; and
             335          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;


             336          (b) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             337      printed in 18-point bold type:
             338          (i) "Official Primary Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             339          (ii) the date of the election; and
             340          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title in
             341      eight-point type; [and]
             342          (c) immediately below the election officer's title, two one-point parallel horizontal
             343      rules separate endorsements from the rest of the ballot;
             344          (d) immediately below the horizontal rules, an "Instructions to Voters" section is
             345      printed in ten-point bold type that states: "To vote for a candidate, place a cross (X) in the
             346      square following the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as the candidate(s) for each respective
             347      office." followed by two one-point parallel rules;
             348          (e) after the rules, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             349      nomination is printed flush with the left-hand margin and the words: "Vote for one" or "Vote
             350      for two or more" are printed to extend to the extreme right of the column in ten-point bold type,
             351      followed by a hair-line rule;
             352          (f) after the hair-line rule, the names of the candidates are printed in heavy face type
             353      between lines or rules 3/8 inch apart, alphabetically according to surnames with surnames last
             354      and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             355          (g) a square with sides not less than 1/4 inch long is printed [to the right of]
             356      immediately adjacent to the names of the candidates; and
             357          (h) the candidate groups are separated from each other by one light and one heavy line
             358      or rule.
             359          (2) A municipal primary ballot may not contain any space for write-in votes.
             360          Section 7. Section 20A-6-401.1 is amended to read:
             361           20A-6-401.1. Ballots for partisan municipal primary elections.
             362          (1) If a municipality is using paper ballots, each election officer shall ensure that:
             363          (a) all paper ballots furnished for use at the regular primary election:
             364          (i) are perforated to separate the candidates of one political party from those of the
             365      other political parties so that the voter may separate the part of the ballot containing the names
             366      of the political party of the voter's choice from the rest of the ballot;


             367          (ii) have sides that are perforated so that the outside sections of the ballot, when
             368      detached, are similar in appearance to the inside sections of the ballot when detached; and
             369          (iii) contain no captions or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
             370          (b) the names of all candidates from each party are listed on the same ballot in one or
             371      more columns under their party name and emblem;
             372          (c) the political parties are printed on the ballot in the order determined by the county
             373      clerk;
             374          (d) (i) the ballot contains a ballot stub that is at least one inch wide, placed across the
             375      top of the ballot;
             376          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initials ____" are printed on the
             377      stub; and
             378          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             379          (e) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             380      printed in 18-point bold type:
             381          (i) "Official Primary Ballot for ____ County, Utah";
             382          (ii) the date of the election; and
             383          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the county clerk and the words "county clerk";
             384          (f) after the facsimile signature, the political party emblem and the name of the
             385      political party are printed;
             386          (g) after the party name and emblem, the ballot contains the following printed in not
             387      smaller than ten-point bold face, double leaded type: "Instructions to Voters: To vote for a
             388      candidate, place a cross (X) in the square [at the right of] immediately adjacent to the name of
             389      the person for whom you wish to vote and in no other place. Do not vote for any candidate
             390      listed under more than one party or group designation.", followed by two one-point parallel
             391      horizontal rules;
             392          (h) after the rules, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             393      nomination is printed flush with the left-hand margin and the words: "Vote for one" or "Vote
             394      for two or more" are printed to extend to the extreme right of the column in ten-point bold type,
             395      followed by a hair-line rule;
             396          (i) after the hair-line rule, the names of the candidates are printed in heavy face type
             397      between lines or rules 3/8 inch apart, alphabetically according to surnames with surnames last


             398      and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             399          (j) a square with sides not less than 1/4 inch long is printed [to the right of]
             400      immediately adjacent to the names of the candidates;
             401          (k) the candidate groups are separated from each other by one light and one heavy line
             402      or rule; and
             403          (l) the nonpartisan candidates are listed as follows:
             404          (i) immediately below the listing of the party candidates, the word "NONPARTISAN"
             405      is printed in reverse type in an 18-point solid rule that extends the full width of the type copy of
             406      the party listing above; and
             407          (ii) below "NONPARTISAN," the office, the number of candidates to vote for, the
             408      candidate's name, the voting square, and any other necessary information is printed in the same
             409      style and manner as for party candidates.
             410          (2) (a) If a municipality is using ballot sheets or electronic ballots, the election officer
             411      may require that:
             412          (i) the ballot, or ballot label in the case of a punch card ballot, for a regular primary
             413      election consist of several groups of pages or display screens, so that a separate group can be
             414      used to list the names of candidates seeking nomination of each qualified political party, with
             415      additional groups used to list candidates for other nonpartisan offices;
             416          (ii) the separate groups of pages or display screens are identified by color or other
             417      suitable means; and
             418          (iii) the ballot or ballot label contain instructions that direct the voter how to vote the
             419      ballot.
             420          (b) If a municipality is using ballot sheets or electronic ballots, each election officer
             421      shall:
             422          (i) for municipalities using punch card ballots, ensure that the ballot label provides a
             423      means for the voter to designate the political party in whose primary the voter is voting; and
             424          (ii) determine the order for printing the names of the political parties on the ballot
             425      label.
             426          Section 8. Section 20A-6-402 is amended to read:
             427           20A-6-402. Ballots for municipal general elections.
             428          (1) When using a paper ballot at municipal general elections, each election officer shall


             429      ensure that:
             430          (a) the names of the two candidates who received the highest number of votes for
             431      mayor in the municipal primary are placed upon the ballot;
             432          (b) if no municipal primary election was held, the names of the candidates who filed
             433      declarations of candidacy for municipal offices are placed upon the ballot;
             434          (c) for other offices:
             435          (i) twice the number of candidates as there are positions to be filled are certified as
             436      eligible for election in the municipal general election from those candidates who received the
             437      greater number of votes in the primary election; and
             438          (ii) the names of those candidates are placed upon the municipal general election
             439      ballot;
             440          (d) a write-in area is placed upon the ballot that contains, for each office:
             441          (i) a blank, horizontal line to enable the entry of a valid write-in candidate; and
             442          (ii) a square or other conforming area that is adjacent to or opposite the blank
             443      horizontal line to enable the voter to indicate the voter's vote;
             444          (e) ballot propositions that have qualified for the ballot, including propositions
             445      submitted to the voters by the municipality, municipal initiatives, and municipal referenda, are
             446      listed on the ballot in accordance with Section 20A-6-107 ; and
             447          (f) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
             448      title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             449          (2) When using a punch card ballot at municipal general elections, each election officer
             450      shall ensure that:
             451          (a) (i) the ballot contains a perforated ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across
             452      the top of the ballot;
             453          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             454      stub; and
             455          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             456          (b) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             457      printed in 18-point bold type:
             458          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             459          (ii) the date of the election; and


             460          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title in
             461      eight-point type;
             462          (c) immediately below the election officer's title, two one-point parallel horizontal
             463      rules separate endorsements from the rest of the ballot;
             464          (d) immediately below the horizontal rules, an "Instructions to Voters" section is
             465      printed in ten-point bold type that states: "To vote for a candidate, place a cross (X) in the
             466      square following the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as the candidate(s) for each respective
             467      office." followed by two one-point parallel rules;
             468          (e) after the rules, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek election is
             469      printed flush with the left-hand margin and the words: "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or
             470      more" are printed to extend to the extreme right of the column in ten-point bold type, followed
             471      by a hair-line rule;
             472          (f) after the hair-line rule, the names of the candidates are printed in heavy face type
             473      between lines or rules 3/8 inch apart, alphabetically according to surnames with surnames last
             474      and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             475          (g) a square with sides not less than 1/4 inch long is printed [to the right of]
             476      immediately adjacent to the names of the candidates;
             477          (h) following the name of the last candidate for each office, the ballot contains:
             478          (i) a write-in space for each elective office where the voter may enter the name of a
             479      valid write-in candidate; and
             480          (ii) a square printed [to the right of] immediately adjacent to the write-in space or line
             481      where the voter may vote for the valid write-in candidate; and
             482          (i) the candidate groups are separated from each other by one light and one heavy line
             483      or rule.
             484          (3) When using a ballot sheet other than a punch card ballot at municipal general
             485      elections, each election officer shall ensure that:
             486          (a) (i) the ballot contains a perforated ballot stub placed across the top of the ballot;
             487          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             488      stub; and
             489          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             490          (b) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are


             491      printed:
             492          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             493          (ii) the date of the election; and
             494          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title;
             495          (c) immediately below the election officer's title, a distinct border or line separates
             496      endorsements from the rest of the ballot;
             497          (d) immediately below the border or line, an "Instructions to Voters" section is printed
             498      that states: "To vote for a candidate, select the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as the
             499      candidate(s) for each respective office." followed by another border or line;
             500          (e) after the border or line, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             501      election is printed and the words: "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or more" are printed,
             502      followed by a line or border;
             503          (f) after the line or border, the names of the candidates are printed alphabetically
             504      according to surnames with surnames last and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             505          (g) an oval is printed adjacent to the names of the candidates;
             506          (h) following the name of the last candidate for each office, the ballot contains:
             507          (i) a write-in space or blank line for each elective office where the voter may enter the
             508      name of a valid write-in candidate; and
             509          (ii) an oval is printed adjacent to the write-in space or line where the voter may vote for
             510      the valid write-in candidate; and
             511          (i) the candidate groups are separated from each other by a line or border.
             512          (4) When using an electronic ballot at municipal general elections, each election officer
             513      shall ensure that:
             514          (a) the following endorsements are displayed on the first screen of the ballot:
             515          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             516          (ii) the date of the election; and
             517          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title;
             518          (b) immediately below the election officer's title, a distinct border or line separates the
             519      endorsements from the rest of the ballot;
             520          (c) immediately below the border or line, an "Instructions to Voters" section is
             521      displayed that states: "To vote for a candidate, select the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as


             522      the candidate(s) for each respective office." followed by another border or line;
             523          (d) after the border or line, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             524      election is displayed, and the words: "Vote for one" or "Vote for two or more" are displayed,
             525      followed by a line or border;
             526          (e) after the line or border, the names of the candidates are displayed alphabetically
             527      according to surnames with surnames last and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             528          (f) a voting square or position is located adjacent to the name of each candidate;
             529          (g) following the name of the last candidate for each office, the ballot contains a
             530      write-in space where the voter may enter the name of and vote for a valid write-in candidate for
             531      the office; and
             532          (h) the candidate groups are separated from each other by a line or border.
             533          (5) When a municipality has chosen to nominate candidates by convention or
             534      committee, the election officer shall ensure that the party name is included with the candidate's
             535      name on the ballot.
             536          Section 9. Section 20A-7-101 is amended to read:
             537           20A-7-101. Definitions.
             538          As used in this chapter:
             539          (1) "Budget officer" means:
             540          (a) for counties, the person designated as budget officer in Section 17-19-19 ;
             541          (b) for cities, the person designated as budget officer in Subsection 10-6-106 (5); or
             542          (c) for towns, the town council.
             543          (2) "Certified" means that the county clerk has acknowledged a signature as being the
             544      signature of a registered voter.
             545          (3) "Circulation" means the process of submitting an initiative or referendum petition
             546      to legal voters for their signature.
             547          (4) "Final fiscal impact statement" means a financial statement prepared after voters
             548      approve an initiative that contains the information required by Subsection 20A-7-202.5 (2) or
             549      20A-7-502.5 (2).
             550          (5) "Initial fiscal impact estimate" means a financial statement prepared according to
             551      the terms of Section 20A-7-202.5 or 20A-7-502.5 after the filing of an application for an
             552      initiative petition.


             553          (6) "Initiative" means a new law proposed for adoption by the public as provided in
             554      this chapter.
             555          (7) "Initiative packet" means a copy of the initiative petition, a copy of the proposed
             556      law, and the signature sheets, all of which have been bound together as a unit.
             557          (8) "Legal signatures" means the number of signatures of legal voters that:
             558          (a) meet the numerical requirements of this chapter; and
             559          (b) have been certified and verified as provided in this chapter.
             560          (9) "Legal voter" means a person who:
             561          (a) is registered to vote; or
             562          (b) becomes registered to vote before the county clerk certifies the signatures on an
             563      initiative or referendum petition.
             564          (10) (a) "Local law" includes an ordinance, resolution, master plan, and any
             565      comprehensive zoning regulations adopted by ordinance or resolution.
             566          (b) "Local law" does not include individual property zoning decisions.
             567          (11) "Local attorney" means the county attorney, city attorney, or town attorney in
             568      whose jurisdiction a local initiative or referendum petition is circulated.
             569          (12) "Local clerk" means the county clerk, city recorder, or town clerk in whose
             570      jurisdiction a local initiative or referendum petition is circulated.
             571          (13) "Local legislative body" means the legislative body of a county, city, or town.
             572          (14) "Measure" means [an] a proposed constitutional amendment, an initiative, or
             573      referendum.
             574          (15) "Referendum" means a law passed by the Legislature or by a local legislative body
             575      that is being submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection.
             576          (16) "Referendum packet" means a copy of the referendum petition, a copy of the law
             577      being submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, and the signature sheets, all of
             578      which have been bound together as a unit.
             579          (17) "Signature sheets" means sheets in the form required by this chapter that are used
             580      to collect signatures in support of an initiative or referendum.
             581          (18) "Sponsors" means the legal voters who support the initiative or referendum and
             582      who sign the application for petition copies.
             583          (19) "Sufficient" means that the signatures submitted in support of an initiative or


             584      referendum petition have been certified and verified as required by this chapter.
             585          (20) "Verified" means acknowledged by the person circulating the petition as required
             586      in Sections 20A-7-205 and 20A-7-305 .
             587          Section 10. Section 20A-7-210 is amended to read:
             588           20A-7-210. Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.
             589          (1) The county clerks shall ensure that the number and ballot title verified to them by
             590      the lieutenant governor are [printed] presented upon the official ballot with, immediately [to
             591      the right of] adjacent to them, the words "For" and "Against," each word [followed by a]
             592      presented with an adjacent square in which the elector may indicate his vote.
             593          (2) Electors desiring to vote in favor of enacting the law proposed by the initiative
             594      petition shall mark the square [following] adjacent to the word "For," and those desiring to vote
             595      against enacting the law proposed by the initiative petition shall mark the square [following]
             596      adjacent to the word "Against."
             597          Section 11. Section 20A-7-309 is amended to read:
             598           20A-7-309. Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.
             599          (1) The county clerks shall ensure that the number and ballot title verified to them by
             600      the lieutenant governor are [printed] presented upon the official ballot with, immediately [to
             601      the right of] adjacent to them, the words "For" and "Against," each word [followed by a]
             602      presented with an adjacent square in which the elector may indicate his vote.
             603          (2) Voters desiring to vote in favor of [enacting] halting the law proposed by the
             604      referendum petition shall mark the square [following] adjacent to the word "For," and those
             605      desiring to vote against enacting the law proposed by the referendum petition shall mark the
             606      square [following] adjacent to the word "Against."
             607          Section 12. Section 20A-7-312 is amended to read:
             608           20A-7-312. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
             609          (1) It is unlawful for any person to:
             610          (a) sign any name other than his own to any referendum petition;
             611          (b) knowingly sign his name more than once for the same measure at one election;
             612          (c) sign a referendum knowing he is not a legal voter; or
             613          (d) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
             614          (2) It is unlawful for any person to sign the verification for a referendum packet


             615      knowing that:
             616          (a) he does not meet the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105 ;
             617          (b) he has not witnessed the signatures of those persons whose names appear in the
             618      referendum packet; or
             619          (c) one or more persons whose signatures appear in the referendum packet is either:
             620          (i) not registered to vote in Utah; or
             621          (ii) does not intend to become registered to vote in Utah.
             622          (3) Any person violating this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
             623          (4) The attorney general or the county [clerk] or district attorney shall prosecute any
             624      violation of this section.
             625          Section 13. Section 20A-7-509 is amended to read:
             626           20A-7-509. Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.
             627          (1) The local clerk shall ensure that the number and ballot title are [printed] presented
             628      upon the official ballot with, immediately [to the right of] adjacent to them, the words "For"
             629      and "Against," each word [followed by a] presented with an adjacent square in which the
             630      elector may indicate his vote.
             631          (2) Electors desiring to vote in favor of enacting the law proposed by the initiative
             632      petition shall mark the square [following] adjacent to the word "For," and those desiring to vote
             633      against enacting the law proposed by the initiative petition shall mark the square [following]
             634      adjacent to the word "Against."
             635          Section 14. Section 20A-7-609 is amended to read:
             636           20A-7-609. Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.
             637          (1) The local clerk shall ensure that the number and ballot title are [printed] presented
             638      upon the official ballot with, immediately [to the right of] adjacent to them, the words "For"
             639      and "Against," each word [followed by a] presented with an adjacent square in which the
             640      elector may indicate his vote.
             641          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), and unless the county legislative body
             642      calls a special election, the county clerk shall ensure that county referenda that have qualified
             643      for the ballot appear on the next regular general election ballot.
             644          (b) Unless the municipal legislative body calls a special election, the municipal
             645      recorder or clerk shall ensure that municipal referenda that have qualified for the ballot appear


             646      on the next regular municipal election ballot.
             647          (c) For referenda held in relation to the adoption of an ordinance imposing a county
             648      option sales and use tax under Section 59-12-1102 , the county clerk shall ensure that referenda
             649      that have qualified for the ballot appear on the ballot at the earlier of:
             650          (i) the next regular general election that is more than 155 days after the date of the
             651      adoption of the ordinance; or
             652          (ii) the next municipal general election that is more than 155 days after the date of the
             653      adoption of the ordinance.
             654          (3) Voters desiring to vote in favor of enacting the law proposed by the referendum
             655      petition shall mark the square [following] adjacent to the word "For," and those desiring to vote
             656      against enacting the law proposed by the referendum petition shall mark the square following
             657      the word "Against."
             658          Section 15. Section 20A-9-206 is amended to read:
             659           20A-9-206. Fair campaign practices -- Voluntary pledge -- Pledge is a public
             660      record -- Retention requirements.
             661          (1) Each person seeking to become a candidate for any elective office that is to be
             662      filled at the next election shall be provided with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign
             663      practices.
             664          (2) The pledge shall be in the following form:
             665          "PLEDGE OF FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES
             666          There are basic principles of decency, honesty, and fair play which every candidate for
             667      public office in the State of Utah has a moral obligation to observe and uphold, in order that,
             668      after vigorously contested but fairly conducted campaigns, our citizens may exercise their right
             669      to a free election, and that the will of the people may be fully and clearly expressed on the
             670      issues.
             671          THEREFORE:
             672          I SHALL conduct my campaign openly and publicly, discussing the issues as I see
             673      them, presenting my record and policies with sincerity and frankness, and criticizing, without
             674      fear or favor, the record and policies of my opponents that I believe merit criticism.
             675          I SHALL NOT use, nor shall I permit the use of, scurrilous attacks on any candidate or
             676      the candidate's immediate family. I shall not participate in [or], nor shall I permit the use of,


             677      defamation, libel, or slander against any candidate or the candidate's immediate family. I shall
             678      not participate in, nor shall I permit the use of, any other criticism of any candidate or the
             679      candidate's immediate family that I do not believe to be truthful, provable, and relevant to my
             680      campaign.
             681          I SHALL NOT use, nor shall I permit the use of, any practice that tends to corrupt or
             682      undermine our American system of free elections, or that hinders or prevents the free
             683      expression of the will of the voters, including practices intended to hinder or prevent any
             684      eligible person from registering to vote or voting.
             685          I SHALL NOT coerce election help or campaign contributions for myself or for any
             686      other candidate from my employees or volunteers.
             687          I SHALL immediately and publicly repudiate support deriving from any individual or
             688      group which resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of an opponent, to
             689      methods in violation of the letter or spirit of this pledge. I shall accept responsibility to take
             690      firm action against any subordinate who violates any provision of this pledge or the laws
             691      governing elections.
             692          I SHALL defend and uphold the right of every qualified American voter to full and
             693      equal participation in the electoral process.
             694          I, the undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of Utah, hereby
             695      voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in
             696      accordance with the above principles and practices."
             697          Name: ________________________________
             698          Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________
             699          (3) The filing officer shall print, or cause to be printed, blank forms of the pledge to be
             700      distributed to persons filing a declaration of candidacy.
             701          (4) A pledge that is submitted for filing by a candidate is a public record under Title
             702      63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             703          (5) The filing officer shall:
             704          (a) accept all signed pledges that are submitted for filing; and
             705          (b) retain each filed pledge for public inspection for 30 calendar days after the election.
             706          (6) A candidate may not be required to subscribe to, endorse, or sign the pledge of fair
             707      campaign practices.


             708          Section 16. Section 20A-9-502 is amended to read:
             709           20A-9-502. Certificate of nomination -- Contents -- Circulation -- Verification.
             710          (1) The candidate shall:
             711          (a) prepare a certificate of nomination in substantially the following form:
             712          "State of Utah, County of ______________________________________________
             713          I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming an unaffiliated candidate for the
             714      political group designated as ____ for the office of ____. I do solemnly swear that I can
             715      qualify to hold that office both legally and constitutionally if selected, and that I reside at ____
             716      Street, in the city of ____, county of ____, state of Utah, zip code ____, phone ____, and that I
             717      am providing, or have provided, the required number of signatures of registered voters required
             718      by law; that as a candidate at the next election I will not knowingly violate any election or
             719      campaign law[, and that I will qualify for the office if I am elected to it.]; I will file all
             720      campaign financial disclosure reports as required by law; and I understand that failure to do so
             721      will result in my disqualification as a candidate for this office and removal of my name from
             722      the ballot.
             723     
__________________________________________

             724     
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ______(month\day\year).

             725     
__________________________________________

             726     
Notary Public (or other officer

             727     
qualified to administer oaths)"; and

             728          (b) attach signature sheets to the certificate that contain a place for the registered
             729      voter's signature, a place for the registered voter to print his name, and a place for the registered
             730      voter's address.
             731          (2) (a) The candidate shall circulate the nomination petition and submit it to the county
             732      clerk for certification when the petition has been completed by:
             733          (i) at least 1,000 registered voters residing within the state when the nomination is for
             734      an office to be filled by the voters of the entire state; or
             735          (ii) at least 300 registered voters residing within a political division or at least 5% of
             736      the registered voters residing within a political division, whichever is less, when the
             737      nomination is for an office to be filled by the voters of any political division smaller than the
             738      state.


             739          (b) In reviewing the petition, the county clerk shall count and certify only those persons
             740      who signed the petition who:
             741          (i) are registered voters within the political division that the candidate seeks to
             742      represent; and
             743          (ii) did not sign any other certificate of nomination for that office.
             744          (c) The candidate may supplement or amend the certificate of nomination at any time
             745      on or before the filing deadline.
             746          Section 17. Section 20A-9-503 is amended to read:
             747           20A-9-503. Certificate of nomination -- Filing -- Fees.
             748          (1) After the certificate of nomination has been certified, executed, and acknowledged
             749      by the county clerk, the candidate shall:
             750          (a) between March 7 and 5 p.m. on March 17 of the year in which the regular general
             751      election will be held, file the petition in person with:
             752          (i) the lieutenant governor, if the office the candidate seeks is a constitutional office or
             753      a federal office; or
             754          (ii) the county clerk, if the office the candidate seeks is a county office; and
             755          (iii) pay the filing fee; or
             756          (b) not later than [the sixth Tuesday before the primary election date] 5 p.m. on July 15
             757      of any odd-numbered year, file the petition in person with:
             758          (i) the municipal clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a city or town;
             759          (ii) the local district clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a local district; and
             760          (iii) pay the filing fee.
             761          (2) (a) At the time of filing, and before accepting the petition, the filing officer shall
             762      read the constitutional and statutory requirements for candidacy to the candidate.
             763          (b) If the candidate states that he does not meet the requirements, the filing officer may
             764      not accept the petition.
             765          (3) (a) Persons filing a certificate of nomination for President of the United States
             766      under this section shall pay a filing fee of $500.
             767          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a person filing a certificate of nomination for
             768      President or Vice President of the United States:
             769          (i) may file the certificate of nomination between March 7 and 5 p.m. on August 15 of


             770      the year in which the regular general election will be held; and
             771          (ii) may use a designated agent to file the certificate of nomination.
             772          Section 18. Section 20A-9-601 is amended to read:
             773           20A-9-601. Qualifying as a write-in candidate.
             774          (1) (a) Each person wishing to become a valid write-in candidate shall file a declaration
             775      of candidacy in person or through a designated agent for a candidate for President or Vice
             776      President of the United States with the appropriate filing officer not later than 30 days before
             777      the regular general election or municipal general election in which the person intends to be a
             778      write-in candidate.
             779          (b) (i) The filing officer shall:
             780          (A) read to the candidate the constitutional and statutory requirements for the office;
             781      and
             782          (B) ask the candidate whether or not the candidate meets the requirements.
             783          (ii) If the candidate cannot meet the requirements of office, the filing officer may not
             784      accept the write-in candidate's declaration of candidacy.
             785          (2) A write-in candidate in towns need not prequalify with the filing officer.
             786          (3) By November 1 of each regular general election year, the lieutenant governor shall
             787      certify to each county clerk the names of all write-in candidates who filed their declaration of
             788      candidacy with the lieutenant governor.
             789          Section 19. Section 20A-11-206 is amended to read:
             790           20A-11-206. State office candidate -- Failure to file reports -- Penalties.
             791          (1) (a) If a state office candidate fails to file an interim report due before the regular
             792      primary election, on August 31, or before the regular general election, the lieutenant governor
             793      shall, after making a reasonable attempt to discover if the report was timely mailed, inform the
             794      county clerk and other appropriate election officials who:
             795          (i) shall, if practicable, remove the name of the candidate by blacking out the
             796      candidate's name before the ballots are delivered to voters; or
             797          (ii) shall, if removing the candidate's name from the ballot is not practicable, inform
             798      the voters by any practicable method that the candidate has been disqualified and that votes
             799      cast for the candidate will not be counted; and
             800          (iii) may not count any votes for that candidate.


             801          (b) Any state office candidate who fails to file timely a financial statement required by
             802      [this part] Section 20A-11-204 is disqualified and the vacancy on the ballot may be filled as
             803      provided in Section 20A-1-501 .
             804          (c) Notwithstanding Subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b), a state office candidate is not
             805      disqualified if:
             806          (i) the candidate files the reports required by this section no later than the due date;
             807          (ii) those reports are completed, detailing accurately and completely the information
             808      required by this part except for inadvertent omissions or insignificant errors or inaccuracies;
             809      and
             810          (iii) those omissions, errors, or inaccuracies are corrected in an amended report or in
             811      the next scheduled report.
             812          (2) (a) Within 30 days after a deadline for the filing of a summary report, the lieutenant
             813      governor shall review each filed summary report to ensure that:
             814          (i) each state office candidate that is required to file a summary report has filed one;
             815      and
             816          (ii) each summary report contains the information required by this part.
             817          (b) If it appears that any state office candidate has failed to file the summary report
             818      required by law, if it appears that a filed summary report does not conform to the law, or if the
             819      lieutenant governor has received a written complaint alleging a violation of the law or the
             820      falsity of any summary report, the lieutenant governor shall, within five days of discovery of a
             821      violation or receipt of a written complaint, notify the state office candidate of the violation or
             822      written complaint and direct the state office candidate to file a summary report correcting the
             823      problem.
             824          (c) (i) It is unlawful for any state office candidate to fail to file or amend a summary
             825      report within 14 days after receiving notice from the lieutenant governor under this section.
             826          (ii) Each state office candidate who violates Subsection (2)(c)(i) is guilty of a class B
             827      misdemeanor.
             828          (iii) The lieutenant governor shall report all violations of Subsection (2)(c)(i) to the
             829      attorney general.
             830          Section 20. Section 20A-11-305 is amended to read:
             831           20A-11-305. Legislative office candidate -- Failure to file report -- Name not


             832      printed on ballot -- Filling vacancy.
             833          (1) (a) If a legislative office candidate fails to file an interim report due before the
             834      regular primary election, on August 31, or before the regular general election, the lieutenant
             835      governor shall, after making a reasonable attempt to discover if the report was timely mailed,
             836      inform the county clerk and other appropriate election officials who:
             837          (i) shall, if practicable, remove the name of the candidate by blacking out the
             838      candidate's name before the ballots are delivered to voters; or
             839          (ii) shall, if removing the candidate's name from the ballot is not practicable, inform
             840      the voters by any practicable method that the candidate has been disqualified and that votes
             841      cast for the candidate will not be counted; and
             842          (iii) may not count any votes for that candidate.
             843          (b) Any legislative office candidate who fails to file timely a financial statement
             844      required by [this part] Section 20A-11-303 is disqualified and the vacancy on the ballot may be
             845      filled as provided in Section 20A-1-501 .
             846          (c) Notwithstanding Subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b), a legislative office candidate is not
             847      disqualified if:
             848          (i) the candidate files the reports required by this section no later than the due date;
             849          (ii) those reports are completed, detailing accurately and completely the information
             850      required by this part except for inadvertent omissions or insignificant errors or inaccuracies;
             851      and
             852          (iii) those omissions, errors, or inaccuracies are corrected in an amended report or in
             853      the next scheduled report.
             854          (2) (a) Within 30 days after a deadline for the filing of a summary report, the lieutenant
             855      governor shall review each filed summary report to ensure that:
             856          (i) each legislative office candidate that is required to file a summary report has filed
             857      one; and
             858          (ii) each summary report contains the information required by this part.
             859          (b) If it appears that any legislative office candidate has failed to file the summary
             860      report required by law, if it appears that a filed summary report does not conform to the law, or
             861      if the lieutenant governor has received a written complaint alleging a violation of the law or the
             862      falsity of any summary report, the lieutenant governor shall, within five days of discovery of a


             863      violation or receipt of a written complaint, notify the legislative office candidate of the
             864      violation or written complaint and direct the legislative office candidate to file a summary
             865      report correcting the problem.
             866          (c) (i) It is unlawful for any legislative office candidate to fail to file or amend a
             867      summary report within 14 days after receiving notice from the lieutenant governor under this
             868      section.
             869          (ii) Each legislative office candidate who violates Subsection (2)(c)(i) is guilty of a
             870      class B misdemeanor.
             871          (iii) The lieutenant governor shall report all violations of Subsection (2)(c)(i) to the
             872      attorney general.
             873          Section 21. Section 20A-15-104 is amended to read:
             874           20A-15-104. Ballot -- Form -- Manner of marking and voting.
             875          (1) The requirements of this section govern the form of the ballot and the specific
             876      procedures for electing delegates to the ratification convention.
             877          (2) Each county clerk shall ensure that the ballot to select delegates to the ratification
             878      convention:
             879          (a) is separate from and printed on different color stock than any other ballot to be used
             880      at the same election;
             881          (b) contains the following information in this order:
             882          (i) the text of the proposed amendment;
             883          (ii) instructions to the voter;
             884          (iii) three perpendicular columns of equal width;
             885          (iv) at the head of the first perpendicular column, in plain type, the words "For
             886      Ratification of Proposed Change in Constitution of the United States;"
             887          (v) at the head of the second perpendicular column, in plain type, the words "Against
             888      Ratification of Proposed Change in Constitution of the United States;"
             889          (vi) no heading or names at the head of the third perpendicular column;
             890          (vii) in the column headed "For Ratification of Proposed Change in Constitution of the
             891      United States," the names of the nominees nominated as in favor of ratification;
             892          (viii) in the column headed "Against Ratification of Proposed Change in Constitution
             893      of the United States," the names of the nominees nominated as against ratification; and


             894          (ix) in the column without heading, spaces permitting the voter to write in other names;
             895      and
             896          (c) is arranged so that the voter may, by making a single mark, vote for the entire group
             897      of nominees whose names are contained in any column.
             898          (3) Each county clerk shall ensure that the ballot to select delegates to the ratification
             899      convention is in substantially the following form:
             900          "OFFICIAL BALLOT for delegates to convention to ratify or reject proposed
             901      amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The Congress has proposed an amendment
             902      to the Constitution of the United States that provides: (insert here the text of the proposed
             903      amendment).
             904      The Congress has also directed that the proposed amendment be ratified by conventions in the
             905      states.
             906          INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS
             907          Do not vote for more than 21.
             908          To vote for all candidates in favor of ratification, or for all candidates against
             909      ratification, make a cross-mark in the CIRCLE at the head of the list of candidates for whom
             910      you wish to vote. If you do this, make no other mark.
             911          To vote for an individual candidate, make a cross-mark in the SQUARE [at the right of]
             912      immediately adjacent to the name.
             913          To vote for a person other than candidates listed on the ballot, write in the person's
             914      name in blank column.
             915          For ratification of proposed change in Constitution of the United States.
             916      (Name of Candidate) ____________________________________________
             917      Against ratification of proposed change in Constitution of the United States.
             918      (Name of Candidate) ____________________________________________"
             919          (4) If the election of delegates to the ratification convention is held at the same time as
             920      the regular general election, the county clerk shall:
             921          (a) give the same ballot number to a regular general election ballot and a ballot to elect
             922      delegates to a ratification convention;
             923          (b) direct the election judges to:
             924          (i) hand to each voter the general election ballot and the ratification convention ballot


             925      with identical ballot numbers;
             926          (ii) instruct the voter to mark each ballot and deposit each ballot in the ballot box; and
             927          (iii) mark any ballot "void" that the voter declines to use and return it to the county
             928      clerk.
             929          (5) Each voter shall indicate his choice by making one or more cross-marks in the
             930      appropriate spaces provided on the ballot.
             931          Section 22. Coordinating S.B. 27 with H.B. 56 -- Merging substantive
             932      amendments.
             933          If this S.B. 27 and H.B. 56, Declaration of Candidacy Amendments, both pass it is the
             934      intent of the Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel in
             935      preparing the Utah Code database for publication do the following:
             936          (1) modify Section 20A-9-503 to read:
             937          " 20A-9-503. Certificate of nomination -- Filing -- Fees.
             938          (1) After the certificate of nomination has been certified, executed, and acknowledged
             939      by the county clerk, the candidate shall:
             940          (a) between [March 7 and March 17] the second Friday in March and 5 p.m. on the
             941      third Friday in March of the year in which the regular general election will be held, file the
             942      petition in person with:
             943          (i) the lieutenant governor, if the office the candidate seeks is a constitutional office or
             944      a federal office; or
             945          (ii) the county clerk, if the office the candidate seeks is a county office; and
             946          (iii) pay the filing fee; or
             947          (b) not later than [the sixth Tuesday before the primary election date] 5 p.m. on July 15
             948      of any odd-numbered year, file the petition in person with:
             949          (i) the municipal clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a city or town;
             950          (ii) the local district clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a local district; and
             951          (iii) pay the filing fee.
             952          (2) (a) At the time of filing, and before accepting the petition, the filing officer shall
             953      read the constitutional and statutory requirements for candidacy to the candidate.
             954          (b) If the candidate states that he does not meet the requirements, the filing officer may
             955      not accept the petition.


             956          (3) (a) Persons filing a certificate of nomination for President of the United States
             957      under this section shall pay a filing fee of $500.
             958          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a person filing a certificate of nomination for
             959      President or Vice President of the United States:
             960          (i) may file the certificate of nomination between the second Friday in March and 5
             961      p.m. on August 15 of the year in which the regular general election will be held; and
             962          (ii) may use a designated agent to file the certificate of nomination."


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