Utah supreme court voids ballot measure aimed at altering voter power

Sponsored Ad

The Utah Supreme Court has ruled against a ballot measure that would have granted state legislators the authority to amend or veto voter-approved initiatives. This decision is a significant victory for advocates of voter rights. The measure, known as Amendment D, was supported by Republican lawmakers, who hold a supermajority in both chambers of the Utah legislature.

The court upheld a previous ruling by 3rd District Court Judge Dianna Gibson, which found that Amendment D did not meet constitutional requirements. The Supreme Court's per curiam decision stated that the necessary two-month publication period in state newspapers was not followed, and the ballot description lacked the clarity needed for voters to make an informed decision.

Following the ruling, the Utah Democratic Party expressed support for the decision, asserting that it safeguards voters' rights against attempts by Republican legislators to diminish their power.

State lawmakers introduced Amendment D during an emergency special session in August 2024, claiming it would clarify the citizen initiative process and protect against external influence on state laws.
While the measure will still appear on the ballot, the Supreme Court indicated that its approval would not lead to any legal changes. A detailed opinion on the court's decision is expected to be released in the future.