Ballot Qualifications & Schedule
Date initiative language can be submitted: Anytime
Signatures are tied to vote of which office: Governor
Next Gubernatorial election: 2012
Votes Cast for Governor in last election: 946,525
Net number of signatures required: For direct initiatives statutes,
proponents must gather signatures equal to 10% of the total votes cast in
the last gubernatorial election (94,652 signatures), plus they must get 10%
of the vote cast in at least 20 of the 29 counties. For indirect initiatives
statutes, proponents must get 5% of the total votes cast in last
gubernatorial election (47,326) and 5% in at least 20 of 29 counties for the initiative
to be submitted to the legislature. If the legislature votes it down,
proponents can then go out and get the remaining 5% to qualify it for the
ballot. Utah has no provision for constitutional amendment initiatives.
Distribution requirement: For direct initiatives, proponents must gather 10%
of the vote cast in at least 20 of the 29 counties. For indirect initiatives,
proponents must gather 5% in at least 20 of 29 counties.
Circulation period: Unlimited
Do circulators have to be residents: Yes
Date when signatures are filed for certification: Anytime
Signature verification process: Petitions are verified by the county clerks,
who will verify every signature.
Single-subject restriction: Utah has no single subject restrictions.
Legislative tampering: Initiatives that are approved by the voters treated
as regular statutes and may be amended or repealed by the Legislature
at any legislative session after the act or law has taken effect.
Excerpted from the Initiative & Referendum Almanac by M. Dane Waters.