Utah signature requirements
 (By state) |
| |
Contents |
The most recent gubernatorial election in Utah took place in 2008 and the next takes place in 2012. However, Utah's signature requirements will change for 2012 due a special election held in November 2010 for the Office of Governor.
Federal offices
U.S. Senate
Candidates must submit a $1,305 filing fee. Minor party candidates must submit a petition with the signatures of at least 1,000 registered Utah voters.[1]
To become a valid write-in candidate for a federal office, an individual must file a Declaration of Write-In Candidacy no later than 30 days before the regular general election.[1]
U.S. House
Candidates must submit a $1,305 filing fee. Minor party candidates must submit a petition with the signatures of at least 300 registered voters residing within the political division or at least 5% of the registered voters residing within a political division, whichever is less, when the nomination is for an office to be filled by the voters of any political division smaller than the state.[1]
To become a valid write-in candidate for a federal office, an individual must file a Declaration of Write-In Candidacy no later than 30 days before the regular general election.[1]
Filing deadlines
2012
In 2012, the last day to circulate and file nomination petitions for candidates was 5:00 p.m. on March 15.[1]
State offices
State senate
Candidates are required to submit a $29.20 filing fee. Minor party candidates must submit a petition with the signatures of at least 300 registered voters residing within the political division or at least 5% of the registered voters residing within a political division, whichever is less.[2]
To become a valid write-in candidate for a state office, an individual must file a Declaration of Write-In Candidacy no later than 30 days before the regular general election.[2]
State house
Candidates are required to submit a $14.60 filing fee. Minor party candidates must submit a petition with the signatures of at least 300 registered voters residing within the political division or at least 5% of the registered voters residing within a political division, whichever is less.[2]
To become a valid write-in candidate for a state office, an individual must file a Declaration of Write-In Candidacy no later than 30 days before the regular general election.[2]
State executive
Candidates are required to submit a $536 filing fee. Minor party candidates must submit a petition with the signatures of at least 1,000 registered Utah voters.[2]
To become a valid write-in candidate for a state office, an individual must file a Declaration of Write-In Candidacy no later than 30 days before the regular general election.[2]
Filing deadlines
2012
In 2012, the last day to circulate and file nomination petitions for candidates was 5:00 p.m. on March 15.[2]
Ballot measures
Utah ballot measures come in several different varieties:
- legislatively-referred state statute - Appears on a state's ballot as a ballot measure because the state legislature in that state voted to put it before the voters.
- initiated state statute - Earns a spot on the ballot when sponsors collect signatures according to the laws governing the initiative process in Utah.
- legislatively-referred constitutional amendment - A constitutional amendment that appears on a state's ballot as a ballot measure because the state legislature in that state voted to put it before the voters.
- Veto referenda - When citizens of Utah disagree with a statute or legislative bill enacted by the state legislature, they can collect signatures to force the issue to a vote. If enough signatures are collected, the bill is placed on the statewide ballot.
Signature requirements
Current requirements
The number of required signatures is tied to the number of votes cast in Utah for the office of President in the most recent Presidential election. Before 2011, the basis for signature requirements was the gubernatorial election. For directly initiated statutes and veto referendums, proponents must gather signatures equal to 10% of the total votes cast for President. For indirectly initiated statutes, proponents must get 5% of this vote. If the legislature chooses not to adopt the measure, proponents must collect another 5% to place the measure on the ballot.
| Year | Direct statute | Indirect statute Round 1 | Indirect statute Round 2 | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 102,879 | 51,440 | 51,440 | 102,879 |
| 2012 | 97,119 | 48,559 | 48,559 | 97,119 |
See law: Utah Code, Title 20A, Chapter 7, Section 201, Section 208 & Section 301
Basis of calculation
- In the last presidential election (2008), a total of 971,185 votes were cast.[3]
Geographic distribution
- See also: Distribution requirement
- For an indirect initiative, signatures must be collected from each of at least 26 of the 29 Utah State Senate districts equal to 5% of votes cast for governor in that district. This applies to each round of signature gathering.
- For a direct initiated state statute, signatures must be collected from each of at least 26 of the 29 Utah State Senate districts equal to 10% of votes cast for governor in that district.[4]
Signature deadlines
2012
The deadline for submitting signatures for a direct initiative to qualify for the 2012 ballot in Utah was April 15, 2012[5].
2010
The deadline for submitting signatures for a direct initiative to qualify it for the November 2, 2010 ballot in Utah was April 15, 2010[5].
See also
- Laws governing the initiative process in Utah
- List of Utah ballot measures
- States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor
External links
- Utah Initiatives Currently in Circulation from the Lieutenant Governor of Utah
- Utah signature requirements
- Circulating an Initiative Petition from the Lieutenant Governor of Utah
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- The Initiatives and Referendums Process in Utah
- Utah signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Utah Secretary of State "Becoming a Federal Candidate," Accessed April 30, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Utah Secretary of State "Becoming a State Candidate," Accessed April 30, 2012
- ↑ 2010 Utah Election Results
- ↑ Utah signature requirements
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Utah Legislature "Utah Code"(Referenced Statute 20A-7-206 (1))
