Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Since Utah gained statehood in 1896, there has never been an impeachment proceeding against a state or judicial officer. So why are voters this year being asked to approve an amendment to the Utah Constitution to allow the House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings?
Consider a potential scenario!
We hope it never happens, but suppose at some point in the future a governor commits an impeachable act and the legislature is not in its regular annual 45-day session. As it now stands only the governor can convene a special session of the legislature. It’s unlikely a threatened governor would call the legislature into special session to proceed with the impeachment process.
Amendment 1 will clear up that oversight!
As supporters of the amendment point out, “it is important to correct this oversight now when no impeachment proceeding is pending or anticipated’ rather than waiting for a potential political crisis to develop in the future.
KSL agrees!
Constitutional Amendment Number 1 has the unanimous endorsement of the state’s Constitutional Revision Commission and received no opposing votes from lawmakers when they voted earlier this year to place it on the November 2 ballot.
KSL joins in their endorsement. We urge you to vote yes on Constitutional Amendment Number 1.
