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SALT LAKE CITY — Don't be surprised if a petitioner knocks on your door in the coming weeks and months — almost 60 candidates have begun the new process to gather signatures to be on the 2016 primary election ballot. Here's what you need to know about the new election law.
SB54, passed in 2014, modified Utah's primary process and changed how candidates are nominated and political parties are classified. Political parties have to choose which primary election process to follow by either gathering signatures, participating in a party convention or both. Mark Thomas, director of elections with Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox's office, said this process is designed to get more Utahns involved in the voting process.
"Time will tell whether this will be something that will hopefully get voters to be more civic-minded, to participate more in elections," Thomas said.
The lieutenant governor's office wants Utahns to be prepared to see circulators out gathering signatures, either at their home or stores.
"I think it is going to be great to have voters part of that process, but I do think that they need to be kind of aware and look at what they're signing and think through that a little bit to ensure that, "Hey this is what I want to do, and I haven't signed for this office or candidate before," he said.
There are some restrictions when it comes to signing petitions that Utah voters should be aware of: residents can only sign one petition per candidate and can only sign one petition per office. Also, some petitions may be restricted to party members only. Thomas notes that some Utahns may be frustrated that they can only help one candidate per race get on the ballot but hopes that this first run of elections will help work out any kinks in the process.
- Be on the lookout for petitions being circulated in your neighborhood and at stores or other public places
- Residents can sign only one petition per candidate
- Residents can sign only one petition per office
- Some petitions may be restricted to party members only (Typically Republican primaries are closed and Democratic primaries are open to all, check in with your local party leaders)
For more information, visit elections.utah.gov
Thomas said their office is has been getting ready for over a year to help keep the new process running smoothly.
"We are prepared to handle potentially hundreds of thousands of signatures that will come in," Thomas said. "Between our office and the county clerk's, we will view every signature that comes in and determine whether they were qualified to sign that petition."
More than 30 candidates signed up to gather signatures on Monday, Thomas said, and at least 20 signed up Tuesday, putting the current total at 57. Utahns can view the complete list on the candidate signature page on Utah's election website.
Candidates have until March 11 to declare their intent to run and start the petition process, and the petitions must be completed by March 17. Political parties are expected to hold their conventions in late March or early April and Utah's primary will take place June 28.
The Utah GOP filed a suit against the state regarding SB54's rules about choosing candidates in December 2014. A federal judge ruled in November that Utah can't force political parties to hold open primaries but dismissed other claims the Utah GOP made in its suit.
For more information on Utah's 2016 primary election, visit elections.utah.gov. To see up to date information on who has declared intent to gather signatures, visit @ElectionsUtah on Twitter.
Contributing: Mary Richards
