Representative Jordan D. Teuscher proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
ELECTION PROCESS AMENDMENTS

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Todd D. Weiler

5     
House Sponsor: Jordan D. Teuscher

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions related to petitions.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     repeals the in-state residency requirement for individuals who collect petition
13     signatures;
14          ▸     repeals provisions related to the in-state residency requirement described above;
15          ▸     establishes the deadline by which a candidate for public office who is not affiliated
16     with a political party must submit signatures to the county clerk for verification;
17          ▸     establishes a deadline for the county clerk to count and certify the number of
18     registered voters who signed a signature packet;
19          ▸     expands the time period within which a candidate described above may file the
20     certificate of nomination with a filing officer; and
21          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
22     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23          None
24     Other Special Clauses:
25          This bill provides a special effective date.

26     Utah Code Sections Affected:
27     AMENDS:
28          20A-7-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 116
29          20A-7-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
30          20A-7-213, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 107, 116
31          20A-7-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
32          20A-7-312, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
33          20A-7-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
34          20A-7-512, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
35          20A-7-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
36          20A-7-612, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 107
37          20A-9-502, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 116
38          20A-9-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 15
39          20A-9-504, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 255
40          20A-21-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 116
41     

42     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
43          Section 1. Section 20A-7-105 is amended to read:
44          20A-7-105. Manual petition processes -- Obtaining signatures -- Verification --
45     Submitting the petition -- Certification of signatures -- Transfer to lieutenant governor --
46     Removal of signature.
47          (1) This section applies only to the manual initiative process and the manual
48     referendum process.
49          (2) As used in this section:
50          (a) "Local petition" means:
51          (i) a manual local initiative petition described in Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
52     or
53          (ii) a manual local referendum petition described in Part 6, Local Referenda -
54     Procedures.
55          (b) "Packet" means an initiative packet or referendum packet.
56          (c) "Petition" means a local petition or statewide petition.

57          (d) "Statewide petition" means:
58          (i) a manual statewide initiative petition described in Part 2, Statewide Initiatives; or
59          (ii) a manual statewide referendum petition described in Part 3, Statewide Referenda.
60          (3) (a) A Utah voter may sign a statewide petition if the voter is a legal voter.
61          (b) A Utah voter may sign a local petition if the voter:
62          (i) is a legal voter; and
63          (ii) resides in the local jurisdiction.
64          (4) (a) The sponsors shall ensure that the individual in whose presence each signature
65     sheet was signed:
66          (i) is at least 18 years old [and meets the residency requirements of Section
67     20A-2-105];
68          (ii) verifies each signature sheet by completing the verification printed on the last page
69     of each packet; and
70          (iii) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand:
71          (A) for an initiative petition, the law proposed by the initiative; or
72          (B) for a referendum petition, the law that the referendum seeks to overturn.
73          (b) An individual may not sign the verification printed on the last page of a packet if
74     the individual signed a signature sheet in the packet.
75          (5) (a) The sponsors, or an agent of the sponsors, shall submit a signed and verified
76     packet to the county clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated before 5 p.m. no
77     later than the earlier of:
78          (i) for a statewide initiative:
79          (A) 30 days after the day on which the first individual signs the initiative packet;
80          (B) 316 days after the day on which the application for the initiative petition is filed; or
81          (C) the February 15 immediately before the next regular general election immediately
82     after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-202;
83          (ii) for a statewide referendum:
84          (A) 30 days after the day on which the first individual signs the referendum packet; or
85          (B) 40 days after the day on which the legislative session at which the law passed ends;
86          (iii) for a local initiative:
87          (A) 30 days after the day on which the first individual signs the initiative packet;

88          (B) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed;
89          (C) the April 15 immediately before the next regular general election immediately after
90     the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502, if the local initiative is a county initiative; or
91          (D) the April 15 immediately before the next municipal general election immediately
92     after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502, if the local initiative is a municipal
93     initiative; or
94          (iv) for a local referendum:
95          (A) 30 days after the day on which the first individual signs the referendum packet; or
96          (B) 45 days after the day on which the sponsors receive the items described in
97     Subsection 20A-7-604(3) from the local clerk.
98          (b) A person may not submit a packet after the applicable deadline described in
99     Subsection (5)(a).
100          (c) Before delivering an initiative packet to the county clerk under this Subsection (5),
101     the sponsors shall send an email to each individual who provides a legible, valid email address
102     on the signature sheet that includes the following:
103          (i) the subject of the email shall include the following statement, "Notice Regarding
104     Your Petition Signature"; and
105          (ii) the body of the email shall include the following statement in 12-point type:
106          "You signed a petition for the following initiative:
107          [insert title of initiative]
108          To access a copy of the initiative petition, the initiative, the fiscal impact statement, and
109     information on the deadline for removing your signature from the petition, please visit the
110     following link: [insert a uniform resource locator that takes the individual directly to the page
111     on the lieutenant governor's or county clerk's website that includes the information referred to
112     in the email]."
113          (d) When the sponsors submit the last initiative packet to the county clerk, the sponsors
114     shall submit to the county clerk:
115          (i) a list containing:
116          (A) the name and email address of each individual the sponsors sent, or caused to be
117     sent, the email described in Subsection (5)(c); and
118          (B) the date the email was sent;

119          (ii) a copy of the email described in Subsection (5)(c); and
120          (iii) the following written verification, completed and signed by each of the sponsors:
121          "Verification of initiative sponsor State of Utah, County of __________I, __________,
122     of __________, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
123          I am a sponsor of the initiative petition entitled ____________________; and
124          I sent, or caused to be sent, to each individual who provided a legible, valid email
125     address on a signature sheet submitted to the county clerk in relation to the initiative petition,
126     the email described in Utah Code Subsection 20A-7-105(5)(c).
127          ______________________________________________________________ __
     
128          (Name)      (Residence Address)                         (Date)".
129          (e) Signatures gathered for an initiative petition are not valid if the sponsors do not
130     comply with Subsection (5)(c) or (d).
131          (6) (a) Within 21 days after the day on which the county clerk receives the packet, the
132     county clerk shall:
133          (i) use the procedures described in Section 20A-1-1002 to determine whether each
134     signer is a legal voter and, as applicable, the jurisdiction where the signer is registered to vote;
135          (ii) for a statewide initiative or a statewide referendum:
136          (A) certify on the petition whether each name is that of a legal voter;
137          (B) post the name, voter identification number, and date of signature of each legal
138     voter certified under Subsection (6)(a)(ii)(A) on the lieutenant governor's website, in a
139     conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor; and
140          (C) deliver the verified packet to the lieutenant governor;
141          (iii) for a local initiative or a local referendum:
142          (A) certify on the petition whether each name is that of a legal voter who is registered
143     in the jurisdiction to which the initiative or referendum relates;
144          (B) post the name, voter identification number, and date of signature of each legal
145     voter certified under Subsection (6)(a)(iii)(A) on the lieutenant governor's website, in a
146     conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor; and
147          (C) deliver the verified packet to the local clerk.
148          (b) For a local initiative or local referendum, the local clerk shall post a link in a

149     conspicuous location on the local government's website to the posting described in Subsection
150     (6)(a)(iii)(B):
151          (i) for a local initiative, during the period of time described in Subsection
152     20A-7-507(3)(a); or
153          (ii) for a local referendum, during the period of time described in Subsection
154     20A-7-607(2)(a)(i).
155          (7) The county clerk may not certify a signature under Subsection (6):
156          (a) on a packet that is not verified in accordance with Subsection (4); or
157          (b) that does not have a date of signature next to the signature.
158          (8) (a) A voter who signs a statewide initiative petition may have the voter's signature
159     removed from the petition by submitting to the county clerk a statement requesting that the
160     voter's signature be removed no later than the earlier of:
161          (i) for an initiative packet received by the county clerk before December 1:
162          (A) 30 days after the day on which the voter signs the signature removal statement; or
163          (B) 90 days after the day on which the lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under
164     Subsection 20A-7-207(2); or
165          (ii) for an initiative packet received by the county clerk on or after December 1:
166          (A) 30 days after the day on which the voter signs the signature removal statement; or
167          (B) 45 days after the day on which the lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under
168     Subsection 20A-7-207(2).
169          (b) A voter who signs a statewide referendum petition may have the voter's signature
170     removed from the petition by submitting to the county clerk a statement requesting that the
171     voter's signature be removed no later than the earlier of:
172          (i) 30 days after the day on which the voter signs the statement requesting removal; or
173          (ii) 45 days after the day on which the lieutenant governor posts the voter's name under
174     Subsection 20A-7-307(2).
175          (c) A voter who signs a local initiative petition may have the voter's signature removed
176     from the petition by submitting to the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's
177     signature be removed no later than the earlier of:
178          (i) 30 days after the day on which the voter signs the signature removal statement;
179          (ii) 90 days after the day on which the local clerk posts the voter's name under

180     Subsection 20A-7-507(2);
181          (iii) 316 days after the day on which the application is filed; or
182          (iv) (A) for a county initiative, April 15 immediately before the next regular general
183     election immediately after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502; or
184          (B) for a municipal initiative, April 15 immediately before the next municipal general
185     election immediately after the application is filed under Section 20A-7-502.
186          (d) A voter who signs a local referendum petition may have the voter's signature
187     removed from the petition by submitting to the county clerk a statement requesting that the
188     voter's signature be removed no later than the earlier of:
189          (i) 30 days after the day on which the voter signs the statement requesting removal; or
190          (ii) 45 days after the day on which the local clerk posts the voter's name under
191     Subsection 20A-7-607(2)(a).
192          (e) A statement described in this Subsection (8) shall comply with the requirements
193     described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).
194          (f) In order for the signature to be removed, the county clerk must receive the statement
195     described in this Subsection (8) before 5 p.m. no later than the applicable deadline described in
196     this Subsection (8).
197          (g) A county clerk shall analyze a signature, for purposes of removing a signature from
198     a petition, in accordance with Subsection 20A-1-1003(3).
199          (9) (a) If the county clerk timely receives a statement requesting signature removal
200     under Subsection (8) and determines that the signature should be removed from the petition
201     under Subsection 20A-1-1003(3), the county clerk shall:
202          (i) ensure that the voter's name, voter identification number, and date of signature are
203     not included in the posting described in Subsection (6)(a)(ii)(B) or (iii)(B); and
204          (ii) remove the voter's signature from the signature packets and signature packet totals.
205          (b) The county clerk shall comply with Subsection (9)(a) before the later of:
206          (i) the deadline described in Subsection (6)(a); or
207          (ii) two business days after the day on which the county clerk receives a statement
208     requesting signature removal under Subsection (8).
209          (10) A person may not retrieve a packet from a county clerk, or make any alterations or
210     corrections to a packet, after the packet is submitted to the county clerk.

211          Section 2. Section 20A-7-203 is amended to read:
212          20A-7-203. Manual initiative process -- Form of initiative petition and signature
213     sheets.
214          (1) This section applies only to the manual initiative process.
215          (2) (a) Each proposed initiative petition shall be printed in substantially the following
216     form:
217          "INITIATIVE PETITION To the Honorable ____, Lieutenant Governor:
218          We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully demand that the following proposed
219     law be submitted to the legal voters/Legislature of Utah for their/its approval or rejection at the
220     regular general election/session to be held/ beginning on _________(month\day\year);
221          Each signer says:
222          I have personally signed this initiative petition;
223          The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the
224     initiative petition;
225          I have personally reviewed the entire statement included with this packet;
226          I am registered to vote in Utah; and
227          My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name.
228          NOTICE TO SIGNERS:
229          Public hearings to discuss this initiative were held at: (list dates and locations of public
230     hearings.)".
231          (b) If the initiative proposes a tax increase, the following statement shall appear, in at
232     least 14-point, bold type, immediately following the information described in Subsection
233     (2)(a):
234          "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
235     percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
236     increase in the current tax rate.".
237          (c) The sponsors of an initiative or an agent of the sponsors shall attach a copy of the
238     proposed law to each initiative petition.
239          (3) Each initiative signature sheet shall:
240          (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
241          (b) be ruled with a horizontal line three-fourths inch from the top, with the space above

242     that line blank for the purpose of binding;
243          (c) include the title of the initiative printed below the horizontal line, in at least
244     14-point, bold type;
245          (d) include a table immediately below the title of the initiative, and beginning .5 inch
246     from the left side of the paper, as follows:
247          (i) the first column shall be .5 inch wide and include three rows;
248          (ii) the first row of the first column shall be .85 inch tall and contain the words "For
249     Office Use Only" in 10-point type;
250          (iii) the second row of the first column shall be .35 inch tall;
251          (iv) the third row of the first column shall be .5 inch tall;
252          (v) the second column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
253          (vi) the first row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
254     "Registered Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)" in 10-point type;
255          (vii) the second row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
256          (viii) the third row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
257     "Street Address, City, Zip Code" in 10-point type;
258          (ix) the fourth row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
259          (x) the third column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
260          (xi) the first row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
261     "Signature of Registered Voter" in 10-point type;
262          (xii) the second row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
263          (xiii) the third row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
264     "Email Address (optional, to receive additional information)" in 10-point type;
265          (xiv) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
266          (xv) the fourth column shall be one inch wide;
267          (xvi) the first row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
268     "Date Signed" in 10-point type;
269          (xvii) the second row of the fourth column shall be .5 inch tall;
270          (xviii) the third row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
271     "Birth Date or Age (optional)" in 10-point type;
272          (xix) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall; and

273          (xx) the fifth row of the entire table shall be the width of the entire table, .4 inch tall,
274     and contain the following statement, "By signing this initiative petition, you are stating that you
275     have read and understand the law proposed by this initiative petition." in 12-point type;
276          (e) the table described in Subsection (3)(d) shall be repeated, leaving sufficient room at
277     the bottom of the sheet for the information described in Subsection (3)(f); and
278          (f) at the bottom of the sheet, include in the following order:
279          (i) the words "Fiscal Impact of" followed by the title of the initiative, in at least
280     12-point, bold type;
281          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (5), the initial fiscal impact statement issued by
282     the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-202.5(2)(a),
283     including any update in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-204.1(5), in not less than 12-point
284     type;
285          (iii) if the initiative proposes a tax increase, the following statement in 12-point, bold
286     type:
287          "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
288     percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
289     increase in the current tax rate."; and
290          (iv) the word "Warning," in 12-point, bold type, followed by the following statement in
291     not less than eight-point type:
292          "It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign an initiative petition with a name
293     other than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's name more than
294     once for the same initiative petition, or to sign an initiative petition when the individual knows
295     that the individual is not a registered voter.
296          Birth date or age information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity
297     with voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may not be
298     verified as a valid signature if you change your address before petition signatures are verified
299     or if the information you provide does not match your voter registration records."
300          (4) The final page of each initiative packet shall contain the following printed or typed
301     statement:
302          Verification of signature collector
303          State of Utah, County of ____

304          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
305          I am [a resident of Utah and am] at least 18 years old;
306          All the names that appear in this initiative packet were signed by individuals who
307     professed to be the individuals whose names appear in it, and each of the individuals signed the
308     individual's name on it in my presence;
309          I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning the law proposed by
310     the initiative;
311          I believe that each individual has printed and signed the individual's name and written
312     the individual's post office address and residence correctly, that each signer has read and
313     understands the law proposed by the initiative, and that each signer is registered to vote in
314     Utah.
315          Each individual who signed the initiative packet wrote the correct date of signature next
316     to the individual's name.
317          I have not paid or given anything of value to any individual who signed this initiative
318     packet to encourage that individual to sign it.
319          ______________________________________________________________________
320          (Name)      (Residence Address) (Date)
321          (5) If the initial fiscal impact statement described in Subsection (3)(f)(ii), as updated in
322     accordance with Subsection 20A-7-204.1(5), exceeds 200 words, the Office of the Legislative
323     Fiscal Analyst shall prepare a shorter summary statement, for the purpose of inclusion on an
324     initiative signature sheet, that does not exceed 200 words.
325          (6) If the forms described in this section are substantially followed, the initiative
326     petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical errors.
327          [(7) An individual's status as a resident, under Subsection (4), is determined in
328     accordance with Section 20A-2-105.]
329          Section 3. Section 20A-7-213 is amended to read:
330          20A-7-213. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
331          (1) It is unlawful for an individual to:
332          (a) sign any name other than the individual's own to an initiative petition or a statement
333     described in Subsection 20A-7-105(8) or 20A-7-216(4);
334          (b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same initiative at one

335     election;
336          (c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed an initiative petition signed the
337     initiative petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the initiative petition;
338          (d) sign an initiative petition knowing the individual is not a legal voter; or
339          (e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
340          (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for an initiative packet, or to
341     electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection [20A-21-201(9)]
342     20A-21-201(10), knowing that:
343          [(a) the individual does not meet the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105;]
344          [(b)] (a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the initiative
345     petition is not the date that the individual signed the initiative petition;
346          [(c)] (b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures of those individuals whose
347     signatures the individual collects or submits; or
348          [(d)] (c) one or more individuals who signed the initiative petition are not registered to
349     vote in Utah.
350          (3) It is unlawful for an individual to:
351          (a) pay an individual to sign an initiative petition;
352          (b) pay an individual to remove the individual's signature from an initiative petition;
353          (c) accept payment to sign an initiative petition; or
354          (d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from an initiative petition.
355          (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
356          Section 4. Section 20A-7-303 is amended to read:
357          20A-7-303. Manual referendum process -- Form of referendum petition and
358     signature sheets.
359          (1) This section applies only to the manual referendum process.
360          (2) (a) Each proposed referendum petition shall be printed in substantially the
361     following form:
362          "REFERENDUM PETITION To the Honorable ____, Lieutenant Governor:
363          We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully order that Senate (or House) Bill No.
364     ____, entitled (title of act, and, if the petition is against less than the whole act, set forth here
365     the part or parts on which the referendum is sought), passed by the Legislature of the state of

366     Utah during the ____ Session, be referred to the people of Utah for their approval or rejection
367     at a regular general election or a statewide special election;
368          Each signer says:
369          I have personally signed this referendum petition;
370          The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the
371     referendum petition;
372          I have personally reviewed the entire statement included with this referendum packet;
373          I am registered to vote in Utah; and
374          My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name.".
375          (b) The sponsors of a referendum or an agent of the sponsors shall attach a copy of the
376     law that is the subject of the referendum to each referendum petition.
377          (3) Each referendum signature sheet shall:
378          (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
379          (b) be ruled with a horizontal line three-fourths inch from the top, with the space above
380     that line blank for the purpose of binding;
381          (c) include the title of the referendum printed below the horizontal line, in at least
382     14-point, bold type;
383          (d) include a table immediately below the title of the referendum, and beginning .5 inch
384     from the left side of the paper, as follows:
385          (i) the first column shall be .5 inch wide and include three rows;
386          (ii) the first row of the first column shall be .85 inch tall and contain the words "For
387     Office Use Only" in 10-point type;
388          (iii) the second row of the first column shall be .35 inch tall;
389          (iv) the third row of the first column shall be .5 inch tall;
390          (v) the second column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
391          (vi) the first row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
392     "Registered Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)" in 10-point type;
393          (vii) the second row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
394          (viii) the third row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
395     "Street Address, City, Zip Code" in 10-point type;
396          (ix) the fourth row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;

397          (x) the third column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
398          (xi) the first row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
399     "Signature of Registered Voter" in 10-point type;
400          (xii) the second row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
401          (xiii) the third row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
402     "Email Address (optional, to receive additional information)" in 10-point type;
403          (xiv) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
404          (xv) the fourth column shall be one inch wide;
405          (xvi) the first row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
406     "Date Signed" in 10-point type;
407          (xvii) the second row of the fourth column shall be .5 inch tall;
408          (xviii) the third row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
409     "Birth Date or Age (optional)" in 10-point type;
410          (xix) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall; and
411          (xx) the fifth row of the entire table shall be the width of the entire table, .4 inch tall,
412     and contain the following words "By signing this referendum petition, you are stating that you
413     have read and understand the law that this referendum petition seeks to overturn." in 12-point
414     type;
415          (e) the table described in Subsection (3)(d) shall be repeated, leaving sufficient room at
416     the bottom of the sheet for the information described in Subsection (3)(f); and
417          (f) at the bottom of the sheet, include the word "Warning," in 12-point, bold type,
418     followed by the following statement in not less than eight-point type:
419          "It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign a referendum petition with a name
420     other than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's name more than
421     once for the same referendum petition, or to sign a referendum petition when the individual
422     knows that the individual is not a registered voter.
423          Birth date or age information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity
424     with voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may not be
425     verified as a valid signature if you change your address before petition signatures are verified
426     or if the information you provide does not match your voter registration records."
427          (4) The final page of each referendum packet shall contain the following printed or

428     typed statement:
429          Verification of signature collector
430          State of Utah, County of ____
431          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
432          I [am a Utah resident and] am at least 18 years old;
433          All the names that appear in this referendum packet were signed by individuals who
434     professed to be the individuals whose names appear in it, and each of the individuals signed the
435     individual's name on it in my presence;
436          I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning the law this petition
437     seeks to overturn;
438          I believe that each individual has printed and signed the individual's name and written
439     the individual's post office address and residence correctly, that each signer has read and
440     understands the law that the referendum seeks to overturn, and that each signer is registered to
441     vote in Utah.
442          Each individual who signed the referendum packet wrote the correct date of signature
443     next to the individual's name.
444          I have not paid or given anything of value to any individual who signed this referendum
445     packet to encourage that individual to sign it.
     
446     ________________________________________________________________________
447          (Name)      (Residence Address) (Date).
448          (5) If the forms described in this section are substantially followed, the referendum
449     petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical errors.
450          [(6) An individual's status as a resident, under Subsection (4), is determined in
451     accordance with Section 20A-2-105.]
452          Section 5. Section 20A-7-312 is amended to read:
453          20A-7-312. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
454          (1) It is unlawful for any person to:
455          (a) sign any name other than the person's own to a referendum petition;
456          (b) knowingly sign the person's name more than once for the same referendum petition
457     at one election;

458          (c) knowingly indicate that a person who signed a referendum petition signed the
459     referendum petition on a date other than the date that the person signed the petition;
460          (d) sign a referendum petition knowing the person is not a legal voter; or
461          (e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
462          (2) It is unlawful for any person to sign the verification for a referendum packet, or to
463     electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection [20A-21-201(9)]
464     20A-21-201(10) knowing that:
465          [(a) the person does not meet the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105;]
466          [(b)] (a) the signature date associated with the person's signature for the referendum
467     petition is not the date that the person signed the referendum petition;
468          [(c)] (b) the person has not witnessed the signatures of those persons whose signatures
469     the person collects or submits; or
470          [(d)] (c) one or more individuals who sign the referendum petition are not registered to
471     vote in Utah.
472          (3) It is unlawful for any person to:
473          (a) pay a person to sign a referendum petition;
474          (b) pay a person to remove the person's signature from a referendum petition;
475          (c) accept payment to sign a referendum petition; or
476          (d) accept payment to have the person's name removed from a referendum petition.
477          (4) Any person violating this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
478          Section 6. Section 20A-7-503 is amended to read:
479          20A-7-503. Manual initiative process -- Form of initiative petition and signature
480     sheet.
481          (1) This section applies only to the manual initiative process.
482          (2) (a) Each proposed initiative petition shall be printed in substantially the following
483     form:
484          "INITIATIVE PETITION To the Honorable ____, County Clerk/City Recorder/Town
485     Clerk:
486          We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully demand that the following proposed
487     law be submitted to: the legislative body for its approval or rejection at its next meeting; and
488     the legal voters of the county/city/town, if the legislative body rejects the proposed law or takes

489     no action on it.
490          Each signer says:
491          I have personally signed this initiative petition;
492          The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the
493     petition;
494          I have personally reviewed the entire statement included with this packet;
495          I am registered to vote in Utah; and
496          My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name."
497          (b) If the initiative proposes a tax increase, the following statement shall appear, in at
498     least 14-point, bold type, immediately following the information described in Subsection
499     (2)(a):
500          "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
501     percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
502     increase in the current tax rate."
503          (c) The sponsors of an initiative or an agent of the sponsors shall attach a copy of the
504     proposed law to each initiative petition.
505          (3) Each initiative signature sheet shall:
506          (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
507          (b) be ruled with a horizontal line three-fourths inch from the top, with the space above
508     that line blank for the purpose of binding;
509          (c) include the title of the initiative printed below the horizontal line, in at least
510     14-point, bold type;
511          (d) include a table immediately below the title of the initiative, and beginning .5 inch
512     from the left side of the paper, as follows:
513          (i) the first column shall be .5 inch wide and include three rows;
514          (ii) the first row of the first column shall be .85 inch tall and contain the words "For
515     Office Use Only" in 10-point type;
516          (iii) the second row of the first column shall be .35 inch tall;
517          (iv) the third row of the first column shall be .5 inch tall;
518          (v) the second column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
519          (vi) the first row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words

520     "Registered Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)" in 10-point type;
521          (vii) the second row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
522          (viii) the third row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
523     "Street Address, City, Zip Code" in 10-point type;
524          (ix) the fourth row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
525          (x) the third column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
526          (xi) the first row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
527     "Signature of Registered Voter" in 10-point type;
528          (xii) the second row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
529          (xiii) the third row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
530     "Email Address (optional, to receive additional information)" in 10-point type;
531          (xiv) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
532          (xv) the fourth column shall be one inch wide;
533          (xvi) the first row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
534     "Date Signed" in 10-point type;
535          (xvii) the second row of the fourth column shall be .5 inch tall;
536          (xviii) the third row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
537     "Birth Date or Age (optional)" in 10-point type;
538          (xix) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall; and
539          (xx) the fifth row of the entire table shall be the width of the entire table, .4 inch tall,
540     and contain the following words "By signing this initiative petition, you are stating that you
541     have read and understand the law proposed by this initiative petition." in 12-point type;
542          (e) the table described in Subsection (3)(d) shall be repeated, leaving sufficient room at
543     the bottom of the sheet for the information described in Subsection (3)(f); and
544          (f) at the bottom of the sheet, include in the following order:
545          (i) the words "Fiscal and legal impact of" followed by the title of the initiative, in at
546     least 12-point, bold type;
547          (ii) the summary statement in the initial fiscal impact and legal statement issued by the
548     budget officer in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-502.5(2)(b) and the cost estimate for
549     printing and distributing information related to the initiative petition in accordance with
550     Subsection 20A-7-502.5(3), in not less than 12-point, bold type;

551          (iii) if the initiative proposes a tax increase, the following statement in 12-point, bold
552     type:
553          "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax
554     percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent
555     increase in the current tax rate."; and
556          (iv) the word "Warning," in 12-point, bold type, followed by the following statement in
557     not less than eight-point type:
558          "It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign an initiative petition with a name
559     other than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's name more than
560     once for the same initiative petition, or to sign an initiative petition when the individual knows
561     that the individual is not a registered voter.
562          Birth date or age information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity
563     with voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may not be
564     verified as a valid signature if you change your address before petition signatures are verified
565     or if the information you provide does not match your voter registration records."
566          (4) The final page of each initiative packet shall contain the following printed or typed
567     statement:
568          "Verification of signature collector
569          State of Utah, County of ____
570          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
571          I [am a resident of Utah and] am at least 18 years old;
572          All the names that appear in this packet were signed by individuals who professed to be
573     the individuals whose names appear in it, and each of the individuals signed the individual's
574     name on it in my presence;
575          I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning the law proposed by
576     the initiative;
577          I believe that each individual has printed and signed the individual's name and written
578     the individual's post office address and residence correctly, that each signer has read and
579     understands the law proposed by the initiative, and that each signer is registered to vote in
580     Utah.
581          ______________________________________________________________________

582          (Name)
(Residence Address)           (Date)

583          Each individual who signed the packet wrote the correct date of signature next to the
584     individual's name.
585          I have not paid or given anything of value to any individual who signed this petition to
586     encourage that individual to sign it.
587          _____________________________________________________________________
588          (Name)
(Residence Address)           (Date)".

589          (5) If the forms described in this section are substantially followed, the initiative
590     petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical errors.
591          [(6) An individual's status as a resident, under Subsection (4), is determined in
592     accordance with Section 20A-2-105.]
593          Section 7. Section 20A-7-512 is amended to read:
594          20A-7-512. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
595          (1) It is unlawful for any individual to:
596          (a) sign any name other than the individual's own name to an initiative petition or a
597     statement described in Subsection 20A-7-505(4) or 20A-7-515(4);
598          (b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same initiative at one
599     election;
600          (c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed an initiative petition signed the
601     initiative petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the initiative petition;
602          (d) sign an initiative petition knowing the individual is not a legal voter; or
603          (e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
604          (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for an initiative packet, or to
605     electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection [20A-21-201(9)]
606     20A-21-201(10), knowing that:
607          [(a) the individual does not meet the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105;]
608          [(b)] (a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the initiative
609     petition is not the date that the individual signed the initiative petition;
610          [(c)] (b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures of the individuals whose
611     signatures the individual collects or submits; or
612          [(d)] (c) one or more individuals who signed the initiative petition are not registered to

613     vote in Utah.
614          (3) It is unlawful for an individual to:
615          (a) pay an individual to sign an initiative petition;
616          (b) pay an individual to remove the individual's signature from an initiative petition;
617          (c) accept payment to sign an initiative petition; or
618          (d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from an initiative petition.
619          (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
620          Section 8. Section 20A-7-603 is amended to read:
621          20A-7-603. Manual referendum process -- Form of referendum petition and
622     signature sheet.
623          (1) This section applies only to the manual referendum process.
624          (2) (a) Each proposed referendum petition shall be printed in substantially the
625     following form:
626          "REFERENDUM PETITION To the Honorable ____, County Clerk/City
627     Recorder/Town Clerk:
628          We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully order that (description of local law or
629     portion of local law being challenged), passed by the ____ be referred to the voters for their
630     approval or rejection at the regular/municipal general election to be held on
631     __________(month\day\year);
632          Each signer says:
633          I have personally signed this referendum petition;
634          The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the
635     petition;
636          I have personally reviewed the entire statement included with this packet;
637          I am registered to vote in Utah; and
638          My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name."
639          (b) The sponsors of a referendum or an agent of the sponsors shall attach a copy of the
640     law that is the subject of the referendum to each referendum petition.
641          (3) Each referendum signature sheet shall:
642          (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
643          (b) be ruled with a horizontal line three-fourths inch from the top, with the space above

644     that line blank for the purpose of binding;
645          (c) include the title of the referendum printed below the horizontal line, in at least
646     14-point type;
647          (d) include a table immediately below the title of the referendum, and beginning .5 inch
648     from the left side of the paper, as follows:
649          (i) the first column shall be .5 inch wide and include three rows;
650          (ii) the first row of the first column shall be .85 inch tall and contain the words "For
651     Office Use Only" in 10-point type;
652          (iii) the second row of the first column shall be .35 inch tall;
653          (iv) the third row of the first column shall be .5 inch tall;
654          (v) the second column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
655          (vi) the first row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
656     "Registered Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)" in 10-point type;
657          (vii) the second row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
658          (viii) the third row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
659     "Street Address, City, Zip Code" in 10-point type;
660          (ix) the fourth row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
661          (x) the third column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
662          (xi) the first row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
663     "Signature of Registered Voter" in 10-point type;
664          (xii) the second row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
665          (xiii) the third row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
666     "Email Address (optional, to receive additional information)" in 10-point type;
667          (xiv) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
668          (xv) the fourth column shall be one inch wide;
669          (xvi) the first row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
670     "Date Signed" in 10-point type;
671          (xvii) the second row of the fourth column shall be .5 inch tall;
672          (xviii) the third row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
673     "Birth Date or Age (optional)" in 10-point type;
674          (xix) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall; and

675          (xx) the fifth row of the entire table shall be the width of the entire table, .4 inch tall,
676     and contain the following words, "By signing this referendum petition, you are stating that you
677     have read and understand the law that this referendum petition seeks to overturn." in 12-point
678     type;
679          (e) the table described in Subsection (3)(d) shall be repeated, leaving sufficient room at
680     the bottom of the sheet or the information described in Subsection (3)(f); and
681          (f) at the bottom of the sheet, include the word "Warning," in 12-point, bold type,
682     followed by the following statement in not less than eight-point type:
683          "It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign a referendum petition with a name
684     other than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's name more than
685     once for the same referendum petition, or to sign a referendum petition when the individual
686     knows that the individual is not a registered voter.
687          Birth date or age information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity
688     with voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may not be
689     verified as a valid signature if you change your address before petition signatures are verified
690     or if the information you provide does not match your voter registration records."
691          (4) The final page of each referendum packet shall contain the following printed or
692     typed statement:
693          "Verification of signature collector
694          State of Utah, County of ____
695          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
696          I [am a resident of Utah and] am at least 18 years old;
697          All the names that appear in this packet were signed by individuals who professed to be
698     the individuals whose names appear in it, and each of the individuals signed the individual's
699     name on it in my presence;
700          I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning the law this petition
701     seeks to overturn;
702          I believe that each individual has printed and signed the individual's name and written
703     the individual's post office address and residence correctly, that each signer has read and
704     understands the law that the referendum seeks to overturn, and that each signer is registered to
705     vote in Utah.

     
706     ________________________________________________________________________
707          (Name)
(Residence Address)           (Date)

708          Each individual who signed the packet wrote the correct date of signature next to the
709     individual's name.
710          I have not paid or given anything of value to any individual who signed this referendum
711     packet to encourage that individual to sign it.
712          _____________________________________________________________________
713          (Name)
(Residence Address)           (Date)".

714          (5) If the forms described in this section are substantially followed, the referendum
715     petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical errors.
716          [(6) An individual's status as a resident, under Subsection (4), is determined in
717     accordance with Section 20A-2-105.]
718          Section 9. Section 20A-7-612 is amended to read:
719          20A-7-612. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.
720          (1) It is unlawful for an individual to:
721          (a) sign a name other than the individual's own name to any referendum petition;
722          (b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same referendum at
723     one election;
724          (c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed a referendum petition signed the
725     referendum petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the referendum
726     petition;
727          (d) sign a referendum petition knowing that the individual is not a legal voter;
728          (e) in connection with circulating a referendum petition, represent that a document is
729     an official government document if the individual knows or has reason to know that the
730     document is not an official government document; or
731          (f) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part.
732          (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for a referendum packet, or
733     to electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection [20A-21-201(9)]
734     20A-21-201(10), knowing that:
735          [(a) the individual does not meet the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105;]

736          [(b)] (a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the referendum
737     petition is not the date that the individual signed the referendum petition;
738          [(c)] (b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures the individual collects or
739     submits; or
740          [(d)] (c) one or more individuals whose signatures appear in the referendum packet is
741     not registered to vote in Utah.
742          (3) It is unlawful for an individual to:
743          (a) pay an individual to sign a referendum petition;
744          (b) pay an individual to remove the individual's signature from a referendum petition;
745          (c) accept payment to sign a referendum petition; or
746          (d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from a referendum petition.
747          (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
748          (5) The county attorney or municipal attorney shall prosecute any violation of this
749     section.
750          Section 10. Section 20A-9-502 is amended to read:
751          20A-9-502. Certificate of nomination -- Contents -- Circulation -- Verification --
752     Criminal penalty -- Removal of petition signature.
753          (1) The candidate shall:
754          (a) prepare a certificate of nomination in substantially the following form:
755          "State of Utah, County of ______________________________________________
756          I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming an unaffiliated candidate for the
757     political group designated as ____ for the office of ____. I do solemnly swear that I can
758     qualify to hold that office both legally and constitutionally if selected, and that I reside at ____
759     Street, in the city of ____, county of ____, state of ______, zip code ____, phone ____, and
760     that I am providing, or have provided, the required number of holographic signatures of
761     registered voters required by law; that as a candidate at the next election I will not knowingly
762     violate any election or campaign law; that, if filing via a designated agent for an office other
763     than president of the United States, I will be out of the state of Utah during the entire candidate
764     filing period; I will file all campaign financial disclosure reports as required by law; and I
765     understand that failure to do so will result in my disqualification as a candidate for this office
766     and removal of my name from the ballot.

767          
__________________________________________

768          
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ______(month\day\year).

769          
__________________________________________

770          
Notary Public (or other officer

771          
qualified to administer oaths)";

772          (b) [bind signature sheets to the certificate that:] for each signature packet, bind
773     signature sheets to a copy of the certificate of nomination and the circulator verification, that:
774          (i) are printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
775          (ii) are ruled with a horizontal line 3/4 inch from the top, with the space above that line
776     blank for the purpose of binding;
777          (iii) contain the name of the proposed candidate and the words "Unaffiliated Candidate
778     Certificate of Nomination Petition" printed directly below the horizontal line;
779          (iv) contain the word "Warning" printed directly under the words described in
780     Subsection (1)(b)(iii);
781          (v) contain, to the right of the word "Warning," the following statement printed in not
782     less than eight-point, single leaded type:
783          "It is a class A misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly sign a certificate of nomination
784     signature sheet with any name other than the person's own name or more than once for the
785     same candidate or if the person is not registered to vote in this state and does not intend to
786     become registered to vote in this state before the county clerk certifies the signatures.";
787          (vi) contain the following statement directly under the statement described in
788     Subsection (1)(b)(v):
789          "Each signer says:
790          I have personally signed this petition with a holographic signature;
791          I am registered to vote in Utah or intend to become registered to vote in Utah before the
792     county clerk certifies my signature; and
793          My street address is written correctly after my name.";
794          (vii) contain horizontally ruled lines, 3/8 inch apart under the statement described in
795     Subsection (1)(b)(vi); and
796          (viii) be vertically divided into columns as follows:
797          (A) the first column shall appear at the extreme left of the sheet, be 5/8 inch wide, be

798     headed with "For Office Use Only," and be subdivided with a light vertical line down the
799     middle;
800          (B) the next column shall be 2-1/2 inches wide, headed "Registered Voter's Printed
801     Name (must be legible to be counted)";
802          (C) the next column shall be 2-1/2 inches wide, headed "Holographic Signature of
803     Registered Voter";
804          (D) the next column shall be one inch wide, headed "Birth Date or Age (Optional)";
805          (E) the final column shall be 4-3/8 inches wide, headed "Street Address, City, Zip
806     Code"; and
807          (F) at the bottom of the sheet, contain the following statement: "Birth date or age
808     information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity with voter registration
809     records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may not be certified as a valid signature
810     if you change your address before petition signatures are certified or if the information you
811     provide does not match your voter registration records."; and
812          (c) bind a final page to one or more signature sheets that are bound together that
813     contains, except as provided by Subsection (3), the following printed statement:
814          "Verification
815          State of Utah, County of ____
816          I, _______________, of ____, hereby state that:
817          I [am a Utah resident and] am at least 18 years old;
818          All the names that appear on the signature sheets bound to this page were signed by
819     persons who professed to be the persons whose names appear on the signature sheets, and each
820     of them signed the person's name on the signature sheets in my presence;
821          I believe that each has printed and signed the person's name and written the person's
822     street address correctly, and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah or will register to vote
823     in Utah before the county clerk certifies the signatures on the signature sheet.
824          ______________________________________________________________________
825          (Signature)      (Residence Address)                    (Date)".
826          (2) An agent designated to file a certificate of nomination under Subsection
827     20A-9-503(2)(b) or (4)(b) may not sign the form described in Subsection (1)(a).
828          (3) (a) The candidate shall circulate the nomination petition and ensure that the person

829     in whose presence each signature sheet is signed:
830          (i) is at least 18 years old; and
831          [(ii) except as provided by Subsection (3)(b), meets the residency requirements of
832     Section 20A-2-105; and]
833          [(iii)] (ii) verifies each signature sheet by completing the verification bound to one or
834     more signature sheets that are bound together.
835          [(b) A person who is not a resident may sign the verification on a petition for an
836     unaffiliated candidate for the office of president of the United States.]
837          [(c)] (b) A person may not sign the circulator verification if the person signed a
838     signature sheet bound to the verification.
839          (4) (a) It is unlawful for any person to:
840          (i) knowingly sign a certificate of nomination signature sheet:
841          (A) with any name other than the person's own name;
842          (B) more than once for the same candidate; or
843          (C) if the person is not registered to vote in this state and does not intend to become
844     registered to vote in this state before the county clerk certifies the signatures; or
845          (ii) sign the verification of a certificate of nomination signature sheet if the person:
846          [(A) except as provided by Subsection (3)(b), does not meet the residency requirements
847     of Section 20A-2-105;]
848          [(B)] (A) has not witnessed the signing by those persons whose names appear on the
849     certificate of nomination signature sheet; or
850          [(C)] (B) knows that a person whose signature appears on the certificate of nomination
851     signature sheet is not registered to vote in this state and does not intend to become registered to
852     vote in this state.
853          (b) Any person violating this Subsection (4) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
854          (5) (a) [The candidate shall submit the petition and signature sheets to the county clerk
855     for certification when the petition has been completed by:] To qualify for placement on the
856     general election ballot, the candidate shall, no earlier than the start of the declaration of
857     candidacy period described in Section 20A-9-201.5 and no later than 5 p.m. on June 15 of the
858     year in which the election will be held:
859          (i) comply with Subsection 20A-9-503(1); and

860          (ii) submit each signature packet to the county clerk where the majority of the
861     signatures in the packet were collected, with signatures totaling:
862          [(i)] (A) at least 1,000 registered voters residing within the state when the nomination
863     is for an office to be filled by the voters of the entire state; or
864          [(ii)] (B) at least 300 registered voters residing within a political division or at least 5%
865     of the registered voters residing within a political division, whichever is less, when the
866     nomination is for an office to be filled by the voters of any political division smaller than the
867     state.
868          (b) A candidate has not complied with Subsection (5)(a)(ii), unless the county clerks
869     verify that each required signature is a valid signature of a registered voter who is eligible to
870     sign the signature packet and has not signed a signature packet to nominate another candidate
871     for the same office.
872          [(b)] (c) In reviewing the [petition] signature packets, the county clerk shall count and
873     certify only those persons who signed [the petition] with a holographic signature, who:
874          (i) are registered voters within the political division that the candidate seeks to
875     represent; and
876          (ii) did not sign any other certificate of nomination for that office.
877          (d) The county clerk shall count and certify the number of registered voters who validly
878     signed a signature packet, no later than 30 days after the day on which the candidate submits
879     the signature packet.
880          [(c)] (e) The candidate may supplement the signatures or amend the certificate of
881     nomination or declaration of candidacy at any time on or before [the filing deadline] 5 p.m. on
882     June 15 of the year in which the election will be held.
883          [(d)] (f) The county clerk shall use the procedures described in Section 20A-1-1002 to
884     determine whether a signer is a registered voter who is qualified to sign the [petition] signature
885     packet.
886          (6) (a) A voter who signs a [nomination petition] signature packet under this section
887     may have the voter's signature removed from the [petition] signature packet by, no later than
888     three business days after the day on which the candidate submits the [petition] signature packet
889     to the county clerk, submitting to the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's
890     signature be removed.

891          (b) A statement described in Subsection (6)(a) shall comply with the requirements
892     described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).
893          (c) The county clerk shall use the procedures described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(3) to
894     determine whether to remove an individual's signature from a [petition] signature packet after
895     receiving a timely, valid statement requesting removal of the signature.
896          Section 11. Section 20A-9-503 is amended to read:
897          20A-9-503. Certificate of nomination -- Filing -- Fees.
898          (1) [Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), after the certificate of nomination has
899     been certified, executed, and acknowledged by the county clerk, the candidate shall:] A
900     candidate shall, in accordance with the deadline described in Subsection 20A-9-502(5)(a):
901          (a) file the certificate of nomination and the applicable declaration of candidacy, in
902     person unless otherwise provided in statute, with the filing officer; and
903          (b) pay the filing fee.
904          [(a) (i) file the petition in person with the lieutenant governor, if the office the
905     candidate seeks is a constitutional office or a federal office, or the county clerk, if the office the
906     candidate seeks is a county office, during the declaration of candidacy filing period described
907     in Section 20A-9-201.5; and]
908          [(ii) pay the filing fee; or]
909          [(b) not later than the close of normal office hours on June 15 of any odd-numbered
910     year:]
911          [(i) file the petition in person with the municipal clerk, if the candidate seeks an office
912     in a city or town, or the special district clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a special
913     district; and]
914          [(ii) pay the filing fee.]
915          (2) (a) The provisions of this Subsection (2) do not apply to an individual who files a
916     [declaration of candidacy] certificate of nomination and declaration of candidacy for president
917     of the United States.
918          (b) Subject to Subsections [(4)(c)] (5) and 20A-9-502(2), an individual may designate
919     an agent to file a [declaration of candidacy] certificate of nomination or declaration of
920     candidacy with the appropriate filing officer if:
921          (i) the individual is located outside of the state during the entire filing period;

922          (ii) the designated agent appears in person before the filing officer; and
923          (iii) the individual communicates with the filing officer using an electronic device that
924     allows the individual and filing officer to see and hear each other.
925          (3) (a) At the time of filing, and before accepting the [petition] certificate of
926     nomination and declaration of candidacy, the filing officer shall read the constitutional and
927     statutory requirements for candidacy to the candidate.
928          (b) If the candidate states that the candidate does not meet the requirements, the filing
929     officer may not accept the [petition] certificate of nomination and declaration of candidacy.
930          (4) An individual filing a certificate of nomination for president of the United States
931     under this section:
932          (a) shall pay a filing fee of $500; and
933          (b) may use a designated agent to file the nomination petition.
934          (5) An agent designated to file a certificate of nomination under Subsection (2)(b) or
935     (4)(b) may not sign the certificate of nomination form.
936          [(4) (a) An individual filing a certificate of nomination for president or vice president
937     of the United States under this section shall pay a filing fee of $500.]
938          [(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), an individual filing a certificate of nomination for
939     president or vice president of the United States:]
940          [(i) may file the certificate of nomination during the declaration of candidacy filing
941     period described in Section 20A-9-201.5; and]
942          [(ii) may use a designated agent to file the certificate of nomination.]
943          [(c) An agent designated under Subsection (2) or described in Subsection (4)(b)(ii) may
944     not sign the certificate of nomination form.]
945          Section 12. Section 20A-9-504 is amended to read:
946          20A-9-504. Unaffiliated candidates -- Governor and president of the United
947     States.
948          (1) (a) Each unaffiliated candidate for governor shall, before 5 p.m. no later than [July
949     1] June 15 of the regular general election year, select a running mate to file as an unaffiliated
950     candidate for the office of lieutenant governor.
951          (b) The unaffiliated lieutenant governor candidate shall, before 5 p.m. no later than
952     [July 1] June 15 of the regular general election year, file as an unaffiliated candidate by

953     following the procedures and requirements of this part.
954          (2) (a) Each unaffiliated candidate for president of the United States shall, before 5
955     p.m. no later than August 15 of a regular general election year, select a running mate to file as
956     an unaffiliated candidate for the office of vice president of the United States.
957          (b) Before 5 p.m. no later than August 15 of a regular general election year, the
958     unaffiliated candidate for vice president of the United States described in Subsection (2)(a)
959     shall comply with the requirements of Subsection 20A-9-202(7).
960          Section 13. Section 20A-21-201 is amended to read:
961          20A-21-201. Electronic signature gathering for an initiative, a referendum, or
962     candidate qualification.
963          (1) (a) After filing a petition for a statewide initiative or a statewide referendum, and
964     before gathering signatures, the sponsors shall, after consulting with the Office of the
965     Lieutenant Governor, sign a form provided by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor indicating
966     whether the sponsors will gather signatures manually or electronically.
967          (b) If the sponsors indicate, under Subsection (1)(a), that the sponsors will gather
968     signatures electronically:
969          (i) in relation to a statewide initiative, signatures for that initiative:
970          (A) may only be gathered and submitted electronically, in accordance with this section
971     and Sections 20A-7-215, 20A-7-216, and 20A-7-217; and
972          (B) may not be gathered or submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
973     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-204; and
974          (ii) in relation to a statewide referendum, signatures for that referendum:
975          (A) may only be gathered and submitted electronically, in accordance with this section
976     and Sections 20A-7-313, 20A-7-314, and 20A-7-315; and
977          (B) may not be gathered or submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
978     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-304.
979          (c) If the sponsors indicate, under Subsection (1)(a), that the sponsors will gather
980     signatures manually:
981          (i) in relation to a statewide initiative, signatures for that initiative:
982          (A) may only be gathered and submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
983     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-204; and

984          (B) may not be gathered or submitted electronically, as described in this section and
985     Sections 20A-7-215, 20A-7-216, and 20A-7-217; and
986          (ii) in relation to a statewide referendum, signatures for that referendum:
987          (A) may only be gathered and submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
988     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-304; and
989          (B) may not be gathered or submitted electronically, as described in this section and
990     Sections 20A-7-313, 20A-7-314, and 20A-7-315.
991          (2) (a) After filing a petition for a local initiative or a local referendum, and before
992     gathering signatures, the sponsors shall, after consulting with the local clerk's office, sign a
993     form provided by the local clerk's office indicating whether the sponsors will gather signatures
994     manually or electronically.
995          (b) If the sponsors indicate, under Subsection (2)(a), that the sponsors will gather
996     signatures electronically:
997          (i) in relation to a local initiative, signatures for that initiative:
998          (A) may only be gathered and submitted electronically, in accordance with this section
999     and Sections 20A-7-514, 20A-7-515, and 20A-7-516; and
1000          (B) may not be gathered or submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
1001     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-504; and
1002          (ii) in relation to a local referendum, signatures for that referendum:
1003          (A) may only be gathered and submitted electronically, in accordance with this section
1004     and Sections 20A-7-614, 20A-7-615, and 20A-7-616; and
1005          (B) may not be gathered or submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
1006     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-604.
1007          (c) If the sponsors indicate, under Subsection (2)(a), that the sponsors will gather
1008     signatures manually:
1009          (i) in relation to a local initiative, signatures for that initiative:
1010          (A) may only be gathered and submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
1011     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-504; and
1012          (B) may not be gathered or submitted electronically, as described in this section and
1013     Sections 20A-7-514, 20A-7-515, and 20A-7-516; and
1014          (ii) in relation to a local referendum, signatures for that referendum:

1015          (A) may only be gathered and submitted using the manual signature-gathering process
1016     described in Sections 20A-7-105 and 20A-7-604; and
1017          (B) may not be gathered or submitted electronically, as described in this section and
1018     Sections 20A-7-614, 20A-7-615, and 20A-7-616.
1019          (3) (a) After a candidate files a notice of intent to gather signatures to qualify for a
1020     ballot, and before gathering signatures, the candidate shall, after consulting with the election
1021     officer, sign a form provided by the election officer indicating whether the candidate will
1022     gather signatures manually or electronically.
1023          (b) If a candidate indicates, under Subsection (3)(a), that the candidate will gather
1024     signatures electronically, signatures for the candidate:
1025          (i) may only be gathered and submitted using the electronic candidate qualification
1026     process; and
1027          (ii) may not be gathered or submitted using the manual candidate qualification process.
1028          (c) If a candidate indicates, under Subsection (3)(a), that the candidate will gather
1029     signatures manually, signatures for the candidate:
1030          (i) may only be gathered and submitted using the manual candidate qualification
1031     process; and
1032          (ii) may not be gathered or submitted using the electronic candidate qualification
1033     process.
1034          (4) To gather a signature electronically, a signature-gatherer shall:
1035          (a) use a device provided by the signature-gatherer or a sponsor of the petition that:
1036          (i) is approved by the lieutenant governor;
1037          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (4)(a)(iii), does not store a signature or any other
1038     information relating to an individual signing the petition in any location other than the location
1039     used by the website to store the information;
1040          (iii) does not, on the device, store a signature or any other information relating to an
1041     individual signing the petition except for the minimum time necessary to upload information to
1042     the website;
1043          (iv) does not contain any applications, software, or data other than those approved by
1044     the lieutenant governor; and
1045          (v) complies with cyber-security and other security protocols required by the lieutenant

1046     governor;
1047          (b) use the approved device to securely access a website designated by the lieutenant
1048     governor, directly, or via an application designated by the lieutenant governor; and
1049          (c) while connected to the website, present the approved device to an individual
1050     considering signing the petition and, while the signature-gatherer is in the physical presence of
1051     the individual:
1052          (i) wait for the individual to reach each screen presented to the individual on the
1053     approved device; and
1054          (ii) wait for the individual to advance to each subsequent screen by clicking on the
1055     acknowledgement at the bottom of the screen.
1056          (5) Each screen shown on an approved device as part of the signature-gathering process
1057     shall appear as a continuous electronic document that, if the entire document does not appear
1058     on the screen at once, requires the individual viewing the screen to, before advancing to the
1059     next screen, scroll through the document until the individual reaches the end of the document.
1060          (6) After advancing through each screen required for the petition, the signature process
1061     shall proceed as follows:
1062          (a) except as provided in Subsection (6)(b):
1063          (i) the individual desiring to sign the petition shall present the individual's driver
1064     license or state identification card to the signature-gatherer;
1065          (ii) the signature-gatherer shall verify that the individual pictured on the driver license
1066     or state identification card is the individual signing the petition;
1067          (iii) the signature-gatherer shall scan or enter the driver license number or state
1068     identification card number through the approved device; and
1069          (iv) immediately after the signature-gatherer complies with Subsection (6)(a)(iii), the
1070     website shall determine whether the individual desiring to sign the petition is eligible to sign
1071     the petition;
1072          (b) if the individual desiring to sign the petition is unable to provide a driver license or
1073     state identification card to the signature gatherer:
1074          (i) the individual may present other valid voter identification;
1075          (ii) if the valid voter identification contains a picture of the individual, the
1076     signature-gatherer shall verify that the individual pictured is the individual signing the petition;

1077          (iii) if the valid voter identification does not contain a picture of the individual, the
1078     signature-gatherer shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, use the individual's address or
1079     other available means to determine whether the identification relates to the individual
1080     presenting the identification;
1081          (iv) the signature-gatherer shall scan an image of the valid voter identification and
1082     immediately upload the image to the website; and
1083          (v) the individual:
1084          (A) shall enter the individual's address; and
1085          (B) may, at the discretion of the individual, enter the individual's date of birth or age
1086     after the individual clicks on the screen acknowledging that they have read and understand the
1087     following statement, "Birth date or age information is not required, but may be used to verify
1088     your identity with voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may
1089     not be verified as a valid signature if you change your address before your signature is verified
1090     or if the information you provide does not match your voter registration records."; and
1091          (c) after completing the process described in Subsection (6)(a) or (b), the screen shall:
1092          (i) except for a petition to qualify a candidate for the ballot, give the individual signing
1093     the petition the opportunity to enter the individual's email address after the individual reads the
1094     following statement, "If you provide your email address, you may receive an email with
1095     additional information relating to the petition you are signing."; and
1096          (ii) (A) if the website determines, under Subsection (6)(a)(iv), that the individual is
1097     eligible to sign the petition, permit the individual to enter the individual's name as the
1098     individual's electronic signature and, immediately after the signature-gather timely complies
1099     with Subsection (10), certify the signature; or
1100          (B) if the individual provides valid voter identification under Subsection (6)(b), permit
1101     the individual to enter the individual's name as the individual's electronic signature.
1102          (7) If an individual provides valid voter identification under Subsection (6)(b), the
1103     county clerk shall, within seven days after the day on which the individual submits the valid
1104     voter identification, certify the signature if:
1105          (a) the individual is eligible to sign the petition;
1106          (b) the identification provided matches the information on file; and
1107          (c) the signature-gatherer timely complies with Subsection (10).

1108          (8) For each signature submitted under this section, the website shall record:
1109          (a) the information identifying the individual who signs;
1110          (b) the date the signature was collected; and
1111          (c) the name of the signature-gatherer.
1112          (9) An individual who is a signature-gatherer may not sign a petition unless another
1113     individual acts as the signature-gatherer when the individual signs the petition.
1114          (10) Except for a petition for a candidate to seek the nomination of a registered
1115     political party, each individual who gathers a signature under this section shall, within one
1116     business day after the day on which the individual gathers a signature, electronically sign and
1117     submit the following statement to the website:
1118          "VERIFICATION OF SIGNATURE-GATHERER
1119          State of Utah, County of ____
1120          I, _____________________, of ______, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
1121          I [am a resident of Utah and] am at least 18 years old;
1122          All the signatures that I collected on [Date signatures were gathered] were signed by
1123     individuals who professed to be the individuals whose signatures I gathered, and each of the
1124     individuals signed the petition in my presence;
1125          I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning the law or proposed
1126     law to which the petition relates;
1127          I believe that each individual has signed the individual's name and written the
1128     individual's residence correctly, that each signer has read and understands the law to which the
1129     petition relates, and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah;
1130          Each signature correctly reflects the date on which the individual signed the petition;
1131     and
1132          I have not paid or given anything of value to any individual who signed this petition to
1133     encourage that individual to sign it."
1134          (11) Except for a petition for a candidate to seek the nomination of a registered
1135     political party:
1136          (a) the county clerk may not certify a signature that is not timely verified in accordance
1137     with Subsection (10); and
1138          (b) if a signature certified by a county clerk under Subsection (6)(c)(ii)(A) is not timely

1139     verified in accordance with Subsection (10), the county clerk shall:
1140          (i) revoke the certification;
1141          (ii) remove the signature from the posting described in Subsection 20A-7-217(4),
1142     20A-7-315(3), 20A-7-516(4), or 20A-7-616(3); and
1143          (iii) update the totals described in Subsections 20A-7-217(5)(a)(ii),
1144     20A-7-315(5)(a)(ii), 20A-7-516(5)(a)(ii), and 20A-7-616(5)(a)(ii).
1145          (12) For a petition for a candidate to seek the nomination of a registered political party,
1146     each individual who gathers a signature under this section shall, within one business day after
1147     the day on which the individual gathers a signature, electronically sign and submit the
1148     following statement to the lieutenant governor in the manner specified by the lieutenant
1149     governor:
1150          "VERIFICATION OF SIGNATURE-GATHERER
1151          State of Utah, County of ____
1152          I, _____________________, of ______, hereby state that:
1153          I [am a resident of Utah and] am at least 18 years old;
1154          All the signatures that I collected on [Date signatures were gathered] were signed by
1155     individuals who professed to be the individuals whose signatures I gathered, and each of the
1156     individuals signed the petition in my presence;
1157          I believe that each individual has signed the individual's name and written the
1158     individual's residence correctly and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah; and
1159          Each signature correctly reflects the date on which the individual signed the petition."
1160          (13) For a petition for a candidate to seek the nomination of a registered political party,
1161     the election officer may not certify a signature that is not timely verified in accordance with
1162     Subsection (12).
1163          Section 14. Effective date.
1164          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), if approved by two-thirds of all the members
1165     elected to each house, this bill takes effect upon approval by the governor, or the day following
1166     the constitutional time limit of Utah Constitution, Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's
1167     signature, or in the case of a veto, the date of the veto override.
1168          (2) If this bill is not approved by two-thirds of all members elected to each house, this
1169     bill takes effect May 1, 2024.