HB 27

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  Lisa Shepherd proposes the following substitute bill:
1Signature Verification Revisions
  2026 GENERAL SESSION
  STATE OF UTAH
  Chief Sponsor: Lisa Shepherd
  Senate Sponsor: Heidi Balderree
2
3   LONG TITLE
4   Committee Note:
5The Government Operations Interim Committee recommended this bill.
6Legislative Vote:     6 voting for  5 voting against      6 absent
7   General Description:
8This bill amends provisions related to candidate nomination petitions.
9   Highlighted Provisions:
10This bill:
11▸ requires an election official to post the name, voter precinct number, and date of signature
12   of a registered voter who signs a candidate nomination petition on the lieutenant
13   governor's website for at least 90 days after the date of an election;
14▸ requires an election official to send an email notice to a registered voter described above
15   informing the voter that:
16●   the voter's name and voter-related information is posted on the lieutenant governor's
17   website; and
18●   the voter may request to have the voter's signature removed from the candidate
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19   nomination petition by submitting a written statement to the election official
20   requesting removal of the signature;
21▸ requires an election official to make the website posting described above regardless of
22   whether the voter's voter registration record is classified as a private record;
23▸ amends candidate nomination petition forms to include information notifying a voter of
24   the posting and signature removal processes described above;
25▸ for a candidate seeking the nomination of a qualified political party to an elective office
26   through signature gathering, shortens the deadline for the candidate to submit signatures
27   to an election official from 14 to 21 days before the day on which the qualified political
28   party holds a convention to nominate a candidate for the same elective office; and
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29▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
30   Money Appropriated in this Bill:
31None
32   Other Special Clauses:
33This bill provides a special effective date.
34   Utah Code Sections Affected:
35   AMENDS:
3620A-1-501, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 16
3720A-3a-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapters 381, 448
3820A-6-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 39
3920A-6-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapters 39, 448
4020A-6-304, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 136
4120A-9-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapters 39, 448
4220A-9-405, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 38
4320A-9-406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Second Special Session, Chapter 2
4420A-9-408, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Second Special Session, Chapter 2
4520A-9-502, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Second Special Session, Chapter 2
4620A-9-701, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 296
47
48   Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
49Section 1. Section 20A-1-501 is amended to read:
5020A-1-501 . Candidate vacancies -- Procedure for filling.
51   (1) As used in this section, "central committee" means:
52(a) the state central committee of a political party, for a candidate for:
53(i) United States senator, United States representative, governor, lieutenant governor,
54attorney general, state treasurer, or state auditor; or
55(ii) state legislator if the legislative district encompasses all or a portion of more than
56one county; or
57(b) the county central committee of a political party, for a party candidate seeking an
58office, other than an office described in Subsection (1)(a), elected at an election held
59in an even-numbered year.
60   (2) Except as provided in Subsection (6), the central committee may certify the name of
61another candidate to the appropriate election officer if:
62(a) for a registered political party that will have a candidate on a ballot in a primary
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63election:
64(i) after the close of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy and continuing
65through the day before the day on which the lieutenant governor provides the list
66described in Subsection [20A-9-403(4)(a)] 20A-9-403(8)(a), only one or two
67candidates from that party have filed a declaration of candidacy for that office and
68one or both dies, resigns as a candidate, or is disqualified as a candidate; and
69(ii) the central committee provides written certification of the replacement candidate
70to the appropriate election officer before the day on which the lieutenant governor
71provides the list described in Subsection [20A-9-403(4)(a)] 20A-9-403(8)(a);
72(b) for a registered political party that does not have a candidate on the ballot in a
73primary, but will have a candidate on the ballot for a regular general election:
74(i) after the close of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy and continuing
75through the day before the day on which the lieutenant governor makes the
76certification described in Section 20A-5-409, the party's candidate dies, resigns as
77a candidate, or is disqualified as a candidate; and
78(ii) the central committee provides written certification of the replacement candidate
79to the appropriate election officer before the day on which the lieutenant governor
80makes the certification described in Section 20A-5-409; or
81(c) for a registered political party with a candidate certified as winning a primary
82election:
83(i) after the close of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy and continuing
84through the day before the day on which the lieutenant governor makes the
85certification described in Section 20A-5-409, the party's candidate dies, resigns as
86a candidate, or is disqualified as a candidate; and
87(ii) the central committee provides written certification of the replacement candidate
88to the appropriate election officer before the day on which the lieutenant governor
89makes the certification described in Section 20A-5-409.
90   (3) If no more than two candidates from a political party have filed a declaration of
91candidacy for an office elected at a regular general election and one resigns to become
92the party candidate for another position, the central committee of that political party may
93certify the name of another candidate to the appropriate election officer.
94   (4) Each replacement candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy as required by Chapter
959, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy.
96   (5)(a) The name of a candidate who is certified under Subsection (2)(a) after the
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97deadline described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii) may not appear on the primary election
98ballot.
99(b) The name of a candidate who is certified under Subsection (2)(b) after the deadline
100described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii) may not appear on the general election ballot.
101(c) The name of a candidate who is certified under Subsection (2)(c) after the deadline
102described in Subsection (2)(c)(ii) may not appear on the general election ballot.
103   (6) A political party may not replace a candidate who is disqualified for failure to timely
104file a campaign disclosure financial report under Chapter 11, Campaign and Financial
105Reporting Requirements, or Section 17-70-403.
106   (7) This section does not apply to a candidate vacancy for a nonpartisan office.
107Section 2. Section 20A-3a-106 is amended to read:
10820A-3a-106 . Rulemaking authority relating to conducting an election.
109      The director of elections, within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, may make rules,
110   in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, establishing
111   requirements for:
112   (1) a return envelope, to ensure uniformity and security of the envelopes;
113   (2) complying with the signature comparison audit requirements described in Section
11420A-3a-402.5;
115   (3) conducting and documenting the identity verification process described in Subsection
11620A-3a-401(7)(b); or
117   (4) establishing specific requirements and procedures for an election officer to:
118(a) perform the signature comparison audits described in Subsection [20A-9-408(9)(e)]
11920A-9-408(9)(d); or
120(b) fulfill the chain of custody requirements described in Section 20A-9-408.3.
121Section 3. Section 20A-6-301 is amended to read:
12220A-6-301 . Manual ballots -- Regular general election.
123   (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
124(a) all manual ballots furnished for use at the regular general election contain:
125(i) no captions or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
126(ii) no symbols, markings, or other descriptions of a political party or group, except
127for a registered political party that has chosen to nominate its candidates in
128accordance with Section 20A-9-403; and
129(iii) no indication that a candidate for elective office has been nominated by, or has
130been endorsed by, or is in any way affiliated with a political party or group, unless
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131the candidate has been nominated by a registered political party in accordance
132with Subsection 20A-9-202(4) or Subsection [20A-9-403(5)] 20A-9-403(9);
133(b) at the top of the ballot, the following endorsements are printed in 18 point bold type:
134(i) "Official Ballot for ____ County, Utah";
135(ii) the date of the election; and
136(iii) the words "certified by the Clerk of __________ County" or, as applicable, the
137name of a combined office that includes the duties of a county clerk;
138(c) unaffiliated candidates, candidates not affiliated with a registered political party, and
139all other candidates for elective office who were not nominated by a registered
140political party in accordance with Subsection 20A-9-202(4) or Subsection [
14120A-9-403(5)] 20A-9-403(9), are listed with the other candidates for the same office
142in accordance with Sections 20A-6-109 and 20A-6-110, without a party name or title;
143(d) each ticket containing the lists of candidates, including the party name and device,
144are separated by heavy parallel lines;
145(e) the offices to be filled are plainly printed immediately above the names of the
146candidates for those offices;
147(f) the names of candidates are printed in capital letters, not less than one-eighth nor
148more than one-fourth of an inch high in heavy-faced type not smaller than 10 point,
149between lines or rules three-eighths of an inch apart; and
150(g) on a ticket for a race in which a voter is authorized to cast a write-in vote and in
151which a write-in candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601:
152(i) the ballot includes a space for a write-in candidate immediately following the last
153candidate listed on that ticket; or
154(ii) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant
155governor, the ballot includes two spaces for write-in candidates immediately
156following the last candidates on that ticket, one placed above the other, to enable
157the entry of two valid write-in candidates.
158   (2) An election officer shall ensure that:
159(a) each individual nominated by any registered political party under Subsection
16020A-9-202(4) or Subsection [20A-9-403(5)] 20A-9-403(9), and no other individual, is
161placed on the ballot:
162(i) under the registered political party's name, if any; or
163(ii) under the title of the registered political party as designated by them in their
164certificates of nomination or petition, or, if none is designated, then under some
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165suitable title;
166(b) the names of all unaffiliated candidates that qualify as required in Chapter 9, Part 5,
167Candidates not Affiliated with a Party, are placed on the ballot;
168(c) the names of the candidates for president and vice president are used on the ballot
169instead of the names of the presidential electors; and
170(d) the ballots contain no other names.
171   (3) When the ballot contains a nonpartisan section, the election officer shall ensure that:
172(a) the designation of the office to be filled in the election and the number of candidates
173to be elected are printed in type not smaller than eight point;
174(b) the words designating the office are printed flush with the left-hand margin;
175(c) the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of candidates for
176which the voter may vote)" extend to the extreme right of the column;
177(d) the nonpartisan candidates are grouped according to the office for which they are
178candidates;
179(e) the names in each group are placed in accordance with Sections 20A-6-109 and
18020A-6-110, with the surnames last; and
181(f) each group is preceded by the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
182election, and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of
183candidates for which the voter may vote)," according to the number to be elected.
184   (4) Each election officer shall ensure that:
185(a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed on the ballot in accordance
186with Section 20A-6-107;
187(b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are listed on the ballot in accordance with
188Section 20A-6-107;
189(c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
190title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206; and
191(d) the judicial retention section of the ballot includes a statement at the beginning
192directing voters to the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission's website in
193accordance with Subsection 20A-12-201(4).
194Section 4. Section 20A-6-302 is amended to read:
19520A-6-302 . Manual ballots -- Placement of candidates' names.
196   (1) An election officer shall ensure, for manual ballots in regular general elections, that:
197(a) each candidate is listed by party, if nominated by a registered political party under
198Subsection 20A-9-202(4) or Subsection [20A-9-403(5)] 20A-9-403(9);
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199(b) candidates' surnames are listed in alphabetical order on the ballots when two or more
200candidates' names are required to be listed on a ticket under the title of an office; and
201(c) the names of candidates are placed on the ballot in:
202(i) the manner described in Section 20A-6-109; and
203(ii) the order described in Section 20A-6-110.
204   (2)(a) When there is only one candidate for county attorney at the regular general
205election in counties that have three or fewer registered voters of the county who are
206licensed active members in good standing of the Utah State Bar, the county clerk
207shall cause that candidate's name and party affiliation, if any, to be placed on a
208separate section of the ballot with the following question: "Shall (name of candidate)
209be elected to the office of county attorney? Yes ____ No ____.".
210(b) If the number of "Yes" votes exceeds the number of "No" votes, the candidate is
211elected to the office of county attorney.
212(c) If the number of "No" votes exceeds the number of "Yes" votes, the candidate is not
213elected and may not take office, nor may the candidate continue in the office past the
214end of the term resulting from any prior election or appointment.
215(d) When the name of only one candidate for county attorney is printed on the ballot
216under authority of this Subsection (2), the county clerk may not count any write-in
217votes received for the office of county attorney.
218(e) If no qualified individual files for the office of county attorney or if the candidate is
219not elected by the voters, the county legislative body shall appoint the county
220attorney as provided in Section 20A-1-509.2.
221(f) If the candidate whose name would, except for this Subsection (2)(f), be placed on
222the ballot under Subsection (2)(a) has been elected on a ballot under Subsection (2)(a)
223to the two consecutive terms immediately preceding the term for which the candidate
224is seeking election, Subsection (2)(a) does not apply and that candidate shall be
225considered to be an unopposed candidate the same as any other unopposed candidate
226for another office, unless a petition is filed with the county clerk before 5 p.m. no
227later than the day before that year's primary election that:
228(i) requests the procedure set forth in Subsection (2)(a) to be followed; and
229(ii) contains the signatures of registered voters in the county representing in number
230at least 25% of all votes cast in the county for all candidates for governor at the
231last election at which a governor was elected.
232   (3)(a) When there is only one candidate for district attorney at the regular general
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233election in a prosecution district that has three or fewer registered voters of the
234district who are licensed active members in good standing of the Utah State Bar, the
235county clerk shall cause that candidate's name and party affiliation, if any, to be
236placed on a separate section of the ballot with the following question: "Shall (name of
237candidate) be elected to the office of district attorney? Yes ____ No ____.".
238(b) If the number of "Yes" votes exceeds the number of "No" votes, the candidate is
239elected to the office of district attorney.
240(c) If the number of "No" votes exceeds the number of "Yes" votes, the candidate is not
241elected and may not take office, nor may the candidate continue in the office past the
242end of the term resulting from any prior election or appointment.
243(d) When the name of only one candidate for district attorney is printed on the ballot
244under authority of this Subsection (3), the county clerk may not count any write-in
245votes received for the office of district attorney.
246(e) If no qualified individual files for the office of district attorney, or if the only
247candidate is not elected by the voters under this subsection, the county legislative
248body shall appoint a new district attorney for a four-year term as provided in Section
24920A-1-509.2.
250(f) If the candidate whose name would, except for this Subsection (3)(f), be placed on
251the ballot under Subsection (3)(a) has been elected on a ballot under Subsection (3)(a)
252to the two consecutive terms immediately preceding the term for which the candidate
253is seeking election, Subsection (3)(a) does not apply and that candidate shall be
254considered to be an unopposed candidate the same as any other unopposed candidate
255for another office, unless a petition is filed with the county clerk before 5 p.m. no
256later than the day before that year's primary election that:
257(i) requests the procedure set forth in Subsection (3)(a) to be followed; and
258(ii) contains the signatures of registered voters in the county representing in number
259at least 25% of all votes cast in the county for all candidates for governor at the
260last election at which a governor was elected.
261Section 5. Section 20A-6-304 is amended to read:
26220A-6-304 . Regular general election -- Mechanical ballots.
263   (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
264(a) the format and content of a mechanical ballot is arranged in approximately the same
265order as manual ballots;
266(b) the titles of offices and the names of candidates are displayed in vertical columns or
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267in a series of separate displays;
268(c) the mechanical ballot is of sufficient length to include, after the list of candidates:
269(i) the names of candidates for judicial offices and any other nonpartisan offices; and
270(ii) any ballot propositions submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection;
271(d) the office titles are displayed above or at the side of the names of candidates so as to
272indicate clearly the candidates for each office and the number to be elected;
273(e) the party designation of each candidate who has been nominated by a registered
274political party under Subsection 20A-9-202(4) or Subsection [20A-9-403(5)]
27520A-9-403(9) is displayed adjacent to the candidate's name; and
276(f) if possible, all candidates for one office are grouped in one column or upon one
277display screen.
278   (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
279(a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are displayed in accordance with
280Section 20A-6-107;
281(b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are displayed in accordance with Section
28220A-6-107;
283(c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the title
284assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206; and
285(d) the judicial retention section of the ballot includes a statement at the beginning
286directing voters to the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission's website in
287accordance with Subsection 20A-12-201(4).
288Section 6. Section 20A-9-403 is amended to read:
28920A-9-403 . Regular primary elections.
290   (1)(a) Candidates for elective office that are to be filled at the next regular general
291election shall be nominated in a regular primary election by direct vote of the people
292in the manner prescribed in this section. The regular primary election is held on the
293date specified in Section 20A-1-201.5. Nothing in this section shall affect a
294candidate's ability to qualify for a regular general election's ballot as an unaffiliated
295candidate under Section 20A-9-501 or to participate in a regular general election as a
296write-in candidate under Section 20A-9-601.
297(b) Each registered political party that chooses to have the names of the registered
298political party's candidates for elective office featured with party affiliation on the
299ballot at a regular general election shall comply with the requirements of this section
300and shall nominate the registered political party's candidates for elective office in the
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301manner described in this section.
302(c) A filing officer may not permit an official ballot at a regular general election to be
303produced or used if the ballot denotes affiliation between a registered political party
304or any other political group and a candidate for elective office who is not nominated
305in the manner prescribed in this section or in Subsection 20A-9-202(4).
306(d) Unless noted otherwise, the dates in this section refer to those that occur in each
307even-numbered year in which a regular general election will be held.
308   (2)(a) Each registered political party, in a statement filed with the lieutenant governor,
309shall:
310(i) either declare the registered political party's intent to participate in the next regular
311primary election or declare that the registered political party chooses not to have
312the names of the registered political party's candidates for elective office featured
313on the ballot at the next regular general election; and
314(ii) if the registered political party participates in the upcoming regular primary
315election, identify one or more registered political parties whose members may
316vote for the registered political party's candidates and whether individuals
317identified as unaffiliated with a political party may vote for the registered political
318party's candidates.
319(b)(i) A registered political party that is a continuing political party shall file the
320statement described in Subsection (2)(a) with the lieutenant governor no later than
3215 p.m. on November 30 of each odd-numbered year.
322(ii) An organization that is seeking to become a registered political party under
323Section 20A-8-103 shall file the statement described in Subsection (2)(a) at the
324time that the registered political party files the petition described in Section
32520A-8-103.
326   (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection [(3)(e)] (5), an individual who submits a
327declaration of candidacy under Section 20A-9-202 shall appear as a candidate for
328elective office on the regular primary ballot of the registered political party listed on
329the declaration of candidacy only if the individual is certified by the appropriate
330filing officer as having submitted a nomination petition that was:
331(i) circulated and completed in accordance with Section 20A-9-405; and
332(ii) signed by at least 2% of the registered political party's members who reside in the
333political division of the office that the individual seeks.
334(b)(i) A candidate for elective office shall, in accordance with Section 20A-9-408.3,
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335submit signatures for a nomination petition to the appropriate filing officer for
336verification and certification no later than 5 p.m. on March 31.
337(ii) A candidate may supplement the candidate's submissions at any time on or before
338the filing deadline.
339(c)(i) The lieutenant governor shall determine for each elective office the total
340number of signatures that must be submitted under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) or
34120A-9-408(8) by counting the aggregate number of individuals residing in each
342elective office's political division who have designated a particular registered
343political party on the individuals' voter registration forms on or before November
34415 of each odd-numbered year.
345(ii) The lieutenant governor shall publish the determination for each elective office
346no later than November 30 of each odd-numbered year.
347(d) The filing officer shall:
348(i) except as otherwise provided in Section 20A-21-201, and in accordance with
349Section 20A-9-408.3, verify signatures on nomination petitions in a transparent
350and orderly manner, no later than 14 calendar days after the day on which a
351candidate submits the signatures to the filing officer;
352(ii) for [all qualifying candidates for elective office who submit nomination petitions
353to the filing officer, issue certifications referenced] each qualifying candidate for
354elective office who submits a nomination petition to the filing officer, issue the
355certification described in Subsection (3)(a) no later than the deadline described in
356Subsection 20A-9-202(1)(b);
357(iii) consider [active and inactive voters eligible to sign nomination petitions] an
358active and inactive voter eligible to sign a nomination petition;
359(iv) consider an individual who signs a nomination petition a member of a registered
360political party for purposes of Subsection (3)(a)(ii) if the individual has designated [
361that] the registered political party as the individual's party membership on the
362individual's voter registration form; and
363(v) except as otherwise provided in Section 20A-21-201 and with the assistance of
364the county clerk as applicable, use the procedures described in Section 20A-1-1002
365to verify submitted nomination petition signatures, or use statistical sampling
366procedures to verify submitted nomination petition signatures in accordance with
367rules made under Subsection [(3)(f)] (6).
368   (4) Subject to Subsection 20A-9-405(11)(a)(i), and notwithstanding Section 20A-2-104, the
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369filing officer shall, no later than one business day after the day on which the signature of
370an individual who signs a nomination petition is verified under Subsection (3)(d) or
371Section 20A-1-201:
372(a) post the individual's name, voter precinct number, and date of signature on the
373lieutenant governor's website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant
374governor, for at least 90 calendar days after the date of the primary election; and
375(b) if the individual's voter information in the voter registration database includes a valid
376email address, use an electronic notification system to send an email notice to the
377individual, informing the individual that:
378(i) the individual's nomination petition signature is verified;
379(ii) the individual's name and voter information described in Subsection (4)(a) is
380posted on the lieutenant governor's website; and
381(iii) the individual has until the deadline described in Subsection 20A-9-405(10)(a) to
382submit a statement to the filing officer, in accordance with Subsection
38320A-1-1003(2), requesting that the individual's signature be removed from the
384nomination petition.
385   [(e)] (5) Notwithstanding any other provision in [this Subsection (3)] Subsection (3), (4), (6),
386or (7), a candidate for lieutenant governor may appear on the regular primary ballot of a
387registered political party without submitting nomination petitions if the candidate files a
388declaration of candidacy and complies with Subsection 20A-9-202(3).
389   [(f)] (6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
390director of elections, within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, may make rules that:
391[(i)] (a) provide for the use of statistical sampling procedures that:
392[(A)] (i) filing officers are required to use to verify signatures under Subsection (3)(d);
393and
394[(B)] (ii) reflect a bona fide effort to determine the validity of a candidate's entire
395submission, using widely recognized statistical sampling techniques; and
396[(ii)] (b) provide for the transparent, orderly, and timely submission, verification, and
397certification of nomination petition signatures.
398   [(g)] (7) The county clerk shall:
399[(i)] (a) review the declarations of candidacy filed by candidates for local boards of
400education to determine if more than two candidates have filed for the same seat;
401[(ii)] (b) place the names of all candidates who have filed a declaration of candidacy for a
402local board of education seat on the nonpartisan section of the ballot if more than two
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403candidates have filed for the same seat; and
404[(iii)] (c) place the local board of education candidates' names on the ballot in accordance
405with Sections 20A-6-109 and 20A-6-110.
406   [(4)] (8)(a) Before the deadline described in Subsection 20A-9-409(4)(c), the lieutenant
407governor shall provide to the county clerks:
408(i) a list of the names of all candidates for federal, constitutional, multi-county, single
409county, and county offices who have received certifications under Subsection [(3)]
410(3)(a), along with instructions on how those names shall appear on the primary
411election ballot in accordance with Sections 20A-6-109 and 20A-6-110; and
412(ii) a list of unopposed candidates for elective office who have been nominated by a
413registered political party under Subsection (5)(c) and instruct the county clerks to
414exclude the unopposed candidates from the primary election ballot.
415(b) A candidate for lieutenant governor and a candidate for governor campaigning as
416joint-ticket running mates shall appear jointly on the primary election ballot.
417   (c) After the county clerk receives the certified list from the lieutenant governor under
418Subsection [(4)(a)] (8)(a), the county clerk shall post or publish a primary election notice in
419substantially the following form:
420"Notice is given that a primary election will be held Tuesday, June ____,
421________(year), to nominate party candidates for the parties and candidates for nonpartisan
422local school board positions listed on the primary ballot. The polling place for voting precinct
423____ is ____. The polls will open at 7 a.m. and continue open until 8 p.m. of the same day.
424Attest: county clerk."
425   [(5)] (9)(a) A candidate who, at the regular primary election, receives the highest number
426of votes cast for the office sought by the candidate is:
427(i) nominated for that office by the candidate's registered political party; or
428(ii) for a nonpartisan local school board position, nominated for that office.
429(b) If two or more candidates are to be elected to the office at the regular general
430election, those party candidates equal in number to positions to be filled who receive
431the highest number of votes at the regular primary election are the nominees of the
432candidates' party for those positions.
433(c)(i) As used in this Subsection [(5)(c)] (9)(c), a candidate is "unopposed" if:
434(A) no individual other than the candidate receives a certification under
435Subsection [(3)] (3)(a) for the regular primary election ballot of the candidate's
436registered political party for a particular elective office; or
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437(B) for an office where more than one individual is to be elected or nominated, the
438number of candidates who receive certification under Subsection [(3)] (3)(a) for
439the regular primary election of the candidate's registered political party does
440not exceed the total number of candidates to be elected or nominated for that
441office.
442(ii) A candidate who is unopposed for an elective office in the regular primary
443election of a registered political party is nominated by the party for that office
444without appearing on the primary election ballot.
445   [(6)] (10) The expense of providing all ballots, blanks, or other supplies to be used at any
446primary election provided for by this section, and all expenses necessarily incurred in
447the preparation for or the conduct of that primary election shall be paid out of the
448treasury of the county or state, in the same manner as for the regular general elections.
449   [(7)] (11) An individual may not file a declaration of candidacy for a registered political
450party of which the individual is not a member, except to the extent that the registered
451political party permits otherwise under the registered political party's bylaws.
452Section 7. Section 20A-9-405 is amended to read:
45320A-9-405 . Nomination petitions for regular primary elections.
454   (1) This section applies to the form and circulation of nomination petitions for regular
455primary elections described in Subsection 20A-9-403(3)(a).
456   (2) A candidate for elective office, and the agents of the candidate, may not circulate
457nomination petitions until the candidate has submitted a declaration of candidacy in
458accordance with Subsection 20A-9-202(1).
459   (3) For the manual candidate qualification process, the nomination petitions shall be in
460substantially the following form:
461(a) the petition shall be printed on paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
462(b) the petition shall be ruled with a horizontal line 3/4 inch from the top, with the space
463above that line blank for purposes of binding;
464(c) the petition shall be headed by a caption stating the purpose of the petition and the
465name of the proposed candidate;
466(d) the petition shall feature the [word "Warning" followed by the ]following [statement]
467statements in no less than eight-point, single leaded type:
468(i) "WARNING: It is a class A misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly sign a
469nomination petition with any name other than the person's own name, or more
470than once for the same candidate, or if the person is not registered to vote in this
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471state."; and
472(ii) "NOTICE: Your name, voter precinct number, and date of signature may be
473publicly disclosed on the lieutenant governor's website if you sign this petition.
474This disclosure may occur even if your voter registration record has been
475classified as a private record at your request. If your voter registration information
476includes a valid email address, you will receive an email notifying you of the
477disclosure as well as information on how to remove your name from this petition.
478To ensure your voter registration information includes a valid email address,
479please visit vote.utah.gov or the office of your county clerk.";
480(e) the petition shall feature 10 lines spaced one-half inch apart and consecutively
481numbered one through 10;
482(f) the signature portion of the petition shall be divided into columns headed by the
483following titles:
484(i) Registered Voter's Printed Name;
485(ii) Signature of Registered Voter;
486(iii) Party Affiliation of Registered Voter;
487(iv) Birth Date or Age (Optional);
488(v) Street Address, City, Zip Code; and
489(vi) Date of Signature; and
490(g) a photograph of the candidate may appear on the nomination petition.
491   (4) For the electronic candidate qualification process, the lieutenant governor shall design
492an electronic form, using progressive screens, that includes:
493   (a) the following warning:
494["Warning] WARNING: It is a class A misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly sign a
495nomination petition with any name other than the person's own name, or more than once for
496the same candidate, or if the person is not registered to vote in this state."; [and]
497(b) the following notice:
498"NOTICE: Your name, voter precinct number, and date of signature may be
499publicly disclosed on the lieutenant governor's website if you sign this petition. This
500disclosure may occur even if your voter registration record has been classified as a
501private record at your request. If your voter registration information includes a valid
502email address, you will receive an email notifying you of the disclosure as well as
503information on how to remove your name from this petition. To ensure your voter
504registration information includes a valid email address, please visit vote.utah.gov or
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505the office of your county clerk."; and
506[(b)] (c) the following information for each individual who signs the petition:
507(i) name;
508(ii) party affiliation;
509(iii) date of birth or age, (optional);
510(iv) street address, city, zip code;
511(v) date of signature;
512(vi) other information required under Section 20A-21-201; and
513(vii) other information required by the lieutenant governor.
514   (5) For the manual candidate qualification process, if one or more nomination petitions are
515bound together, a page shall be bound to the nomination petition(s) that features the following
516printed verification statement to be signed and dated by the petition circulator:
517"Verification
518State of Utah, County of ____
519I, ____, of ____, hereby state that:
520I am at least 18 years old;
521All the names that appear on the signature sheets bound to this page were, to the best of
522my knowledge, signed by the persons who professed to be the persons whose names appear on
523the signature sheets, and each of them signed the person's name on the signature sheets in my
524presence;
525I believe that each has printed and signed the person's name and written the person's
526street address correctly, and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah."
527   (6) The lieutenant governor shall prepare and make public model nomination petition forms
528and associated instructions.
529   (7) A nomination petition circulator:
530(a) must be at least 18 years old; and
531(b) may affiliate with any political party.
532   (8) It is unlawful for any person to:
533(a) knowingly sign the nomination petition described in this section or Section
53420A-9-408:
535(i) with any name other than the person's own name;
536(ii) more than once for the same candidate; or
537(iii) if the person is not registered to vote in this state;
538(b) sign the verification of a signature for a nomination petition if the person:
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01-24 20:06  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27
539(i) has not witnessed the signing by those persons whose names appear on the
540nomination petition; or
541(ii) knows that a person whose signature appears on the nomination petition is not
542registered to vote in this state;
543(c) pay compensation to any person to sign a nomination petition; or
544(d) pay compensation to any person to circulate a nomination petition, if the
545compensation is based directly on the number of signatures submitted to a filing
546officer rather than on the number of signatures verified or on some other basis.
547   (9) Any person violating Subsection (8) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
548   (10)(a) A voter who signs a nomination petition may have the voter's signature removed
549from the petition by, no later than 5 p.m. three business days after the day on which [
550the candidate files the petition with the appropriate filing officer] the filing officer
551makes the posting described in Subsection 20A-9-403(4)(a), submitting to the filing
552officer a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed.
553(b) A statement described in Subsection (10)(a) shall comply with the requirements
554described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).
555(c) The filing officer shall use the procedures described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(3) to
556determine whether to remove an individual's signature from a nomination petition
557after receiving a timely, valid statement requesting removal of the signature.
558   (11)(a) If a filing officer timely receives a statement requesting signature removal under
559Subsection (10)(a) and determines that the signature should be removed from the
560nomination petition under Subsection 20A-1-1003(3), the filing officer shall:
561(i) remove the voter's name from the nomination petition;
562(ii) remove the voter's name, voter precinct number, and date of signature from the
563posting described in Subsection 20A-9-403(4)(a); and
564(iii) update the nomination petition signature totals.
565(b) The filing officer shall comply with Subsection (11)(a) no later than 5 p.m. the day
566before the day of the deadline described in Subsection 20A-9-202(1)(b).
567Section 8. Section 20A-9-406 is amended to read:
56820A-9-406 . Qualified political party -- Requirements and exemptions.
569      The following provisions apply to a qualified political party:
570   (1) the qualified political party shall, no later than 5 p.m. on the first Monday of October of
571each odd-numbered year, certify to the lieutenant governor the identity of one or more
572registered political parties whose members may vote for the qualified political party's
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573candidates and whether unaffiliated voters may vote for the qualified political party's
574candidates;
575   (2) the following provisions do not apply to a nomination for the qualified political party:
576(a) Subsections 20A-9-403(1) through (3)(b) and Subsections (3)(d)(ii) through [(4)(a)]
577(8)(a);
578(b) Subsection [20A-9-403(5)(c)] 20A-9-403(9)(c); and
579(c) Section 20A-9-405;
580   (3) an individual may only seek the nomination of the qualified political party by using a
581method described in Section 20A-9-407, Section 20A-9-408, or both;
582   (4) the qualified political party shall comply with the provisions of Sections 20A-9-407,
58320A-9-408, and 20A-9-409;
584   (5) notwithstanding Subsection 20A-6-301(1)(a), (1)(e), or (2)(a), each election officer shall
585ensure that a ballot described in Section 20A-6-301 includes each individual nominated
586by a qualified political party:
587(a) under the qualified political party's name, if any; or
588(b) under the title of the qualified registered political party as designated by the qualified
589political party in the certification described in Subsection (1), or, if none is
590designated, then under some suitable title;
591   (6) notwithstanding Subsection 20A-6-302(1)(a), each election officer shall ensure, for
592ballots in regular general elections, that each candidate who is nominated by the
593qualified political party is listed by party;
594   (7) notwithstanding Subsection 20A-6-304(1)(e), each election officer shall ensure that the
595party designation of each candidate who is nominated by the qualified political party is
596displayed adjacent to the candidate's name on a mechanical ballot;
597   (8) "candidates for elective office," defined in Subsection 20A-9-101(1)(a), also includes an
598individual who files a declaration of candidacy under Section 20A-9-407 or 20A-9-408
599to run in a regular general election for a federal office, constitutional office, multicounty
600office, or county office;
601   (9) an individual who is nominated by, or seeking the nomination of, the qualified political
602party is not required to comply with Subsection 20A-9-201(1)(c);
603   (10) notwithstanding [Subsection 20A-9-403(3)] Subsections 20A-9-403(3) through (7), the
604qualified political party is entitled to have each of the qualified political party's
605candidates for elective office appear on the primary ballot of the qualified political party
606with an indication that each candidate is a candidate for the qualified political party;
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607   (11) notwithstanding Subsection [20A-9-403(4)(a)] 20A-9-403(8)(a), the lieutenant
608governor shall include on the list provided by the lieutenant governor to the county
609clerks:
610(a) the names of all candidates of the qualified political party for federal, constitutional,
611multicounty, and county offices; and
612(b) the names of unopposed candidates for elective office who have been nominated by
613the qualified political party and instruct the county clerks to exclude such candidates
614from the primary-election ballot;
615   (12) notwithstanding Subsection [20A-9-403(5)(c)] 20A-9-403(9)(c), a candidate who is
616unopposed for an elective office in the regular primary election of the qualified political
617party is nominated by the party for that office without appearing on the primary ballot;
618and
619   (13) notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 20A-9-403(1) and (2) and Section
62020A-9-405, the qualified political party is entitled to have the names of [its] the qualified
621political party's candidates for elective office featured with party affiliation on the ballot
622at a regular general election.
623Section 9. Section 20A-9-408 is amended to read:
62420A-9-408 . Signature-gathering process to seek the nomination of a qualified
625   political party -- Removal of signature.
626   (1) This section describes the requirements for a member of a qualified political party who
627is seeking the nomination of the qualified political party for an elective office through
628the signature-gathering process described in this section.
629   (2) Notwithstanding Subsection 20A-9-201(7)(a), the form of the declaration of candidacy
630for a member of a qualified political party who is nominated by, or who is seeking the
631nomination of, the qualified political party under this section shall be substantially as
632described in Section 20A-9-408.5.
633   (3) Notwithstanding Subsection 20A-9-202(1)(a), and except as provided in Subsection
63420A-9-202(4), a member of a qualified political party who, under this section, is seeking
635the nomination of the qualified political party for an elective office that is to be filled at
636the next general election shall:
637(a) except to the extent otherwise provided in Subsection [(13)(a)] (16)(a), during the
638applicable declaration of candidacy filing period described in Section 20A-9-201.5,
639and before gathering signatures under this section, file with the filing officer on a
640form approved by the lieutenant governor a notice of intent to gather signatures for
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1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27  01-24 20:06
641candidacy that includes:
642(i) the name of the member who will attempt to become a candidate for a registered
643political party under this section;
644(ii) the name of the registered political party for which the member is seeking
645nomination;
646(iii) the office for which the member is seeking to become a candidate;
647(iv) the address and telephone number of the member; and
648(v) other information required by the lieutenant governor;
649(b) except as provided in Subsection 20A-9-202(1)(c), file a declaration of candidacy, in
650person, with the filing officer during the applicable declaration of candidacy filing
651period described in Section 20A-9-201.5; and
652(c) pay the filing fee.
653   (4) Notwithstanding Subsection 20A-9-202(2)(a), a member of a qualified political party
654who, under this section, is seeking the nomination of the qualified political party for the
655office of district attorney within a multicounty prosecution district that is to be filled at
656the next general election shall:
657(a) during the applicable declaration of candidacy filing period described in Section
65820A-9-201.5, and before gathering signatures under this section, file with the filing
659officer on a form approved by the lieutenant governor a notice of intent to gather
660signatures for candidacy that includes:
661(i) the name of the member who will attempt to become a candidate for a registered
662political party under this section;
663(ii) the name of the registered political party for which the member is seeking
664nomination;
665(iii) the office for which the member is seeking to become a candidate;
666(iv) the address and telephone number of the member; and
667(v) other information required by the lieutenant governor;
668(b) except as provided in Subsection 20A-9-202(1)(c), file a declaration of candidacy, in
669person, with the filing officer during the applicable declaration of candidacy filing
670period described in Section 20A-9-201.5; and
671(c) pay the filing fee.
672   (5) Notwithstanding Subsection 20A-9-202(3)(a)(iii), a lieutenant governor candidate who
673files as the joint-ticket running mate of an individual who is nominated by a qualified
674political party, under this section, for the office of governor shall, during the applicable
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01-24 20:06  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27
675declaration of candidacy filing period described in Section 20A-9-201.5, file a
676declaration of candidacy and submit a letter from the candidate for governor that names
677the lieutenant governor candidate as a joint-ticket running mate.
678   (6) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that the certification described in Subsection
67920A-9-701(1) also includes the name of each candidate nominated by a qualified
680political party under this section.
681   (7) Notwithstanding Subsection 20A-9-701(2), the ballot shall, for each candidate who is
682nominated by a qualified political party under this section, designate the qualified
683political party that nominated the candidate.
684   (8) A member of a qualified political party may seek the nomination of the qualified
685political party for an elective office by:
686(a) complying with the requirements described in this section; and
687(b) collecting signatures, on a form approved by the lieutenant governor that complies
688with Subsection 20A-9-405(3), during the period beginning on the day on which the
689member files a notice of intent to gather signatures and ending at the applicable
690deadline described in Subsection [(12)] (15), in the following amounts:
691(i) for a statewide race, 28,000 signatures of registered voters in the state who are
692permitted by the qualified political party to vote for the qualified political party's
693candidates in a primary election;
694(ii) except as provided in Subsection [(13)(b)] (16)(b), for a congressional district
695race, 7,000 signatures of registered voters who are residents of the congressional
696district and are permitted by the qualified political party to vote for the qualified
697political party's candidates in a primary election;
698(iii) for a state Senate district race, 2,000 signatures of registered voters who are
699residents of the state Senate district and are permitted by the qualified political
700party to vote for the qualified political party's candidates in a primary election;
701(iv) for a state House district race, 1,000 signatures of registered voters who are
702residents of the state House district and are permitted by the qualified political
703party to vote for the qualified political party's candidates in a primary election;
704(v) for a State Board of Education race, the lesser of:
705(A) 2,000 signatures of registered voters who are residents of the State Board of
706Education district and are permitted by the qualified political party to vote for
707the qualified political party's candidates in a primary election; or
708(B) 3% of the registered voters of the qualified political party who are residents of
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709the applicable State Board of Education district; and
710(vi) for a county office race, signatures of 3% of the registered voters who are
711residents of the area permitted to vote for the county office and are permitted by
712the qualified political party to vote for the qualified political party's candidates in
713a primary election.
714   (9)(a) This Subsection (9) applies only to the manual candidate qualification process.
715(b) In order for a member of the qualified political party to qualify as a candidate for the
716qualified political party's nomination for an elective office under this section, using
717the manual candidate qualification process, the member shall:
718(i) collect the signatures on a form approved by the lieutenant governor, using the
719same circulation and verification requirements described in Sections 20A-7-105
720and 20A-7-204; and
721(ii) in accordance with Section 20A-9-408.3, submit the signatures to the election
722officer before the applicable deadline described in Subsection [(12)] (15).
723(c) Upon timely receipt of the signatures described in Subsections (8) and (9)(b), and in
724accordance with Section 20A-9-408.3, the election officer shall, no later than the
725earlier of 14 calendar days after the day on which the election officer receives the
726signatures, or [one day] seven calendar days before the day on which the qualified
727political party holds the convention to select a nominee for the elective office to
728which the signature packets relate:
729(i) check the name of each individual who completes the verification for a signature
730packet to determine whether each individual is at least 18 years old;
731(ii) submit the name of each individual described in Subsection (9)(c)(i) who is not at
732least 18 years old to the attorney general and the county attorney;
733(iii) with the assistance of the county clerk as applicable, determine whether each
734signer is a registered voter who is qualified to sign the petition, using the same
735method, described in Section 20A-1-1002, used to verify a signature on a petition;
736and
737(iv) certify whether each name is that of a registered voter who is qualified to sign the
738signature packet.
739[(d)(i) A registered voter who physically signs a form under Subsections (8) and
740(9)(b) may have the voter's signature removed from the form by, no later than 5
741p.m. three business days after the day on which the member submits the signature
742form to the election officer, submitting to the election officer a statement
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01-24 20:06  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27
743requesting that the voter's signature be removed.]
744[(ii) A statement described in Subsection (9)(d)(i) shall comply with the requirements
745described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).]
746[(iii) With the assistance of the county clerk as applicable, the election officer shall
747use the procedures described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(3) to determine whether
748to remove an individual's signature after receiving a timely, valid statement
749requesting removal of the signature.]
750[(e)] (d)(i) An election officer shall, in accordance with this Subsection [(9)(e)] (9)(d)
751and rules made under Section 20A-3a-106, conduct regular audits of signature
752comparisons made between signatures gathered under this section and voter
753signatures maintained by the election officer.
754(ii) An individual who conducts an audit of signature comparisons under this section
755may not audit the individual's own work.
756(iii) The election officer shall:
757(A) audit 1% of all signature comparisons described in Subsection [(9)(e)(i)]
758(9)(d)(i) to determine the accuracy of the comparisons made;
759(B) record the individuals who conducted the audit;
760(C) record the audit results;
761(D) provide additional training or staff reassignments, as needed, based on the
762results of an audit described in Subsection [(9)(e)(i)] (9)(d)(i); and
763(E) record any remedial action taken.
764(iv) The audit results described in Subsection [(9)(e)(iii)(C)] (9)(d)(iii)(C) are a public
765record.
766[(f)] (e) An election officer who certifies signatures under Subsection (9)(c) or
76720A-9-403(3)(d) shall, after certifying enough signatures to establish that a candidate
768has reached the applicable signature threshold described in Subsection (8) or
76920A-9-403(3)(a), as applicable, continue to certify signatures submitted for the
770candidate in excess of the number of signatures required, until the election officer
771either:
772(i) certifies signatures equal to 110% of the applicable signature threshold; or
773(ii) has reviewed all signatures submitted for the candidate before reaching an
774amount equal to 110% of the applicable signature threshold.
775   (10)(a) This Subsection (10) applies only to the electronic candidate qualification
776process.
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1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27  01-24 20:06
777(b) In order for a member of the qualified political party to qualify as a candidate for the
778qualified political party's nomination for an elective office under this section, the
779member shall, before the deadline described in Subsection [(12)] (15), collect
780signatures electronically:
781(i) in accordance with Section 20A-21-201; and
782(ii) using progressive screens, in a format approved by the lieutenant governor, that
783complies with Subsection 20A-9-405(4).
784(c) Upon timely receipt of the signatures described in Subsections (8) and [(9)(b)] (10)(b),
785the election officer shall, no later than the earlier of 14 calendar days after the day on
786which the election officer receives the signatures, or [one day] seven calendar days
787before the day on which the qualified political party holds the convention to select a
788nominee for the elective office to which the signature packets relate:
789(i) check the name of each individual who completes the verification for a signature
790to determine whether each individual is at least 18 years old; and
791(ii) submit the name of each individual described in Subsection (10)(c)(i) who is not
792at least 18 years old to the attorney general and the county attorney.
793   (11) Subject to Subsection (13)(a)(i), and notwithstanding Section 20A-2-104, an election
794officer shall, no later than one business day after the day on which the signature of an
795individual who signs a petition is verified under Subsection (9)(c) or Section 20A-21-201:
796(a) post the individual's name, voter precinct number, and date of signature on the
797lieutenant governor's website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant
798governor, for at least 90 calendar days after the date of the primary election; and
799(b) if the individual's voter information in the voter registration database includes a valid
800email address, use an electronic notification system to send an email notice to the
801individual, informing the individual that:
802(i) the individual's petition signature is verified;
803(ii) the individual's name and voter information described in Subsection (11)(a) is
804posted on the lieutenant governor's website; and
805(iii) the individual has until the deadline described in Subsection (12)(a) to submit a
806statement to the election officer, in accordance with Subsection 20A-1-1003(2),
807requesting that the individual's signature be removed from the petition.
808   (12)(a) A registered voter who physically signs a petition under Subsections (8) and
809(9)(b), or who electronically signs a petition under Subsections (8) and (10)(b), may
810have the voter's signature removed from the petition by, no later than 5 p.m. three
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01-24 20:06  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27
811business days after the day on which the election officer makes the posting described
812in Subsection (11)(a), submitting to the election officer a statement requesting that
813the voter's signature be removed.
814(b) A statement described in Subsection (12)(a) shall comply with the requirements
815described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).
816(c) With the assistance of the county clerk as applicable, the election officer shall use the
817procedures described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(3) to determine whether to remove
818an individual's signature from a petition after receiving a timely, valid statement
819requesting removal of the signature.
820   (13)(a) If an election officer timely receives a statement requesting signature removal
821under Subsection (12)(a) and determines that the signature should be removed from
822the petition under Subsection 20A-1-1003(3), the election officer shall:
823(i) remove the voter's name from the petition;
824(ii) remove the voter's name, voter precinct number, and date of signature from the
825posting described in Subsection (11)(a); and
826(iii) update the petition signature totals.
827(b) The election officer shall comply with Subsection (13)(a) no later than 5 p.m. the day
828before the day of the convention described in Subsection (14)(c).
829   [(11)] (14)(a) An individual may not gather signatures under this section until after the
830individual files a notice of intent to gather signatures for candidacy described in this
831section.
832(b) An individual who files a notice of intent to gather signatures for candidacy,
833described in Subsection (3)(a) or (4)(a), is, beginning on the day on which the
834individual files the notice of intent to gather signatures for candidacy:
835(i) required to comply with the reporting requirements that a candidate for office is
836required to comply with; and
837(ii) subject to the same enforcement provisions, and civil and criminal penalties, that
838apply to a candidate for office in relation to the reporting requirements described
839in Subsection [(11)(b)(i)] (14)(b)(i).
840(c) Upon timely receipt of the signatures described in Subsections (8) and (9)(b), or
841Subsections (8) and (10)(b), the election officer shall, no later than the day before the
842day on which the qualified political party holds the convention to select a nominee
843for the elective office to which the signature packets relate, notify the qualified
844political party and the lieutenant governor of the name of each member of the
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845qualified political party who qualifies as a nominee of the qualified political party,
846under this section, for the elective office to which the convention relates.
847(d) Upon receipt of a notice of intent to gather signatures for candidacy described in this
848section, the lieutenant governor shall post the notice of intent to gather signatures for
849candidacy on the lieutenant governor's website in the same location that the
850lieutenant governor posts a declaration of candidacy.
851   [(12)] (15) The deadline before which a member of a qualified political party must collect
852and submit signatures to the election officer under this section is 5 p.m. on the last
853business day that is at least [14] 21 calendar days before the day on which the qualified
854political party's convention for the office begins.
855   [(13)] (16) For the 2026 election year only, an individual who desires to gather signatures to
856seek the nomination of a qualified political party for the office of United States
857representative shall:
858(a) in accordance with Subsection (3)(a), file a notice of intent to gather signatures
859during the period beginning at 8 a.m. on the first business day of January and ending
860at 5 p.m. on March 13, 2026; and
861(b) during the period beginning on the day on which the individual files the notice of
862intent to gather signatures and ending at 5 p.m. on March 13, 2026, on a form
863approved by the lieutenant governor that complies with Subsection 20A-9-405(3),
864collect 7,000 signatures of registered voters who are residents of the state and are
865permitted by the qualified political party to vote for the qualified political party's
866candidates in a primary election.
867Section 10. Section 20A-9-502 is amended to read:
86820A-9-502 . Certificate of nomination -- Contents -- Circulation -- Verification --
869   Criminal penalty -- Removal of petition signature.
870   (1) The candidate shall:
871   (a) prepare a certificate of nomination in substantially the following form:
872"State of Utah, County of ______________________________________________
873I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming an unaffiliated candidate for the
874political group designated as ____ for the office of ____. I do solemnly swear that I can
875qualify to hold that office both legally and constitutionally if selected, and that I reside at ____
876Street, in the city of ____, county of ____, state of ______, zip code ____, phone ____, and
877that I am providing, or have provided, the required number of holographic signatures of
878registered voters required by law; that as a candidate at the next election I will not knowingly
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879violate any election or campaign law; that, if filing via a designated agent for an office other
880than president of the United States, I will be out of the state of Utah during the entire candidate
881filing period; I will file all campaign financial disclosure reports as required by law; and I
882understand that failure to do so will result in my disqualification as a candidate for this office
883and removal of my name from the ballot.
884
  __________________________________________
885
  Subscribed and sworn to before me this ______(month\day\year).
886
  __________________________________________
887
  Notary Public (or other officer
888
  qualified to administer oaths)";
889(b) for each signature packet, bind signature sheets to a copy of the certificate of
890nomination and the circulator verification, that:
891(i) are printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
892(ii) are ruled with a horizontal line 3/4 inch from the top, with the space above that
893line blank for the purpose of binding;
894(iii) contain the name of the proposed candidate and the words "Unaffiliated
895Candidate Certificate of Nomination Petition" printed directly below the
896horizontal line;
897(iv) contain the word "Warning" printed directly under the words described in
898Subsection (1)(b)(iii);
899   (v) contain, to the right of the word "Warning," the following statement printed in not less than
900eight-point, single leaded type:
901"It is a class A misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly sign a certificate of nomination
902signature sheet with any name other than the person's own name or more than once for the
903same candidate or if the person is not registered to vote in this state and does not intend to
904become registered to vote in this state before the county clerk certifies the signatures.";
905(vi) contain the word "Notice" printed directly beneath the words described in
906Subsection (1)(b)(v);
907(vii) contain, to the right of the word "Notice," the following statement printed in not
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908less than eight-point, single leaded type:
909"Your name, voter precinct number, and date of signature may be publicly
910disclosed on the lieutenant governor's website if you sign this petition. This
911disclosure may occur even if your voter registration record has been classified as a
912private record at your request. If your voter registration information includes a
913valid email address, you will receive an email notifying you of the disclosure as
914well as information on how to remove your name from this petition. To ensure
915your voter registration information contains a valid email address, please visit
916vote.utah.gov or the office of your county clerk.";
917   [(vi)] (viii) contain the following statement directly under the statement described in
918Subsection [(1)(b)(v)] (1)(b)(vii):
919"Each signer says:
920I have personally signed this petition with a holographic signature;
921I am registered to vote in Utah or intend to become registered to vote in Utah before the
922county clerk certifies my signature; and
923My street address is written correctly after my name.";
924[(vii)] (ix) contain horizontally ruled lines, 3/8 inch apart under the statement
925described in Subsection [(1)(b)(vi)] (1)(b)(viii); and
926[(viii)] (x) be vertically divided into columns as follows:
927(A) the first column shall appear at the extreme left of the sheet, be 5/8 inch wide,
928be headed with "For Office Use Only," and be subdivided with a light vertical
929line down the middle;
930(B) the next column shall be 2-1/2 inches wide, headed "Registered Voter's
931Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)";
932(C) the next column shall be 2-1/2 inches wide, headed "Holographic Signature of
933Registered Voter";
934(D) the next column shall be one inch wide, headed "Birth Date or Age
935(Optional)";
936(E) the final column shall be 4-3/8 inches wide, headed "Street Address, City, Zip
937Code"; and
938(F) at the bottom of the sheet, contain the following statement: "Birth date or age
939information is not required, but it may be used to verify your identity with
940voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature may
941not be certified as a valid signature if you change your address before petition
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01-24 20:06  1st Sub. (Buff) H.B. 27
942signatures are certified or if the information you provide does not match your
943voter registration records."; and
944   (c) bind a final page to one or more signature sheets that are bound together that contains,
945except as provided by Subsection (3), the following printed statement:
946"Verification
947State of Utah, County of ____
948I, _______________, of ____, hereby state that:
949I am at least 18 years old;
950All the names that appear on the signature sheets bound to this page were signed by
951persons who professed to be the persons whose names appear on the signature sheets, and each
952of them signed the person's name on the signature sheets in my presence;
953I believe that each has printed and signed the person's name and written the person's
954street address correctly, and that each signer is registered to vote in Utah or will register to
955vote in Utah before the county clerk certifies the signatures on the signature sheet.
956______________________________________________________________________
957(Signature)     (Residence Address)  (Date)["]."
958   (2) An agent designated to file a certificate of nomination under Subsection
95920A-9-503(2)(b) or (4)(b) may not sign the form described in Subsection (1)(a).
960   (3)(a) The candidate shall circulate the nomination petition and ensure that the person in
961whose presence each signature sheet is signed:
962(i) is at least 18 years old; and
963(ii) verifies each signature sheet by completing the verification bound to one or more
964signature sheets that are bound together.
965(b) A person may not sign the circulator verification if the person signed a signature
966sheet bound to the verification.
967   (4)(a) It is unlawful for any person to:
968(i) knowingly sign a certificate of nomination signature sheet:
969(A) with any name other than the person's own name;
970(B) more than once for the same candidate; or
971(C) if the person is not registered to vote in this state and does not intend to
972become registered to vote in this state before the county clerk certifies the
973signatures; or
974(ii) sign the verification of a certificate of nomination signature sheet if the person:
975(A) has not witnessed the signing by those persons whose names appear on the
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976certificate of nomination signature sheet; or
977(B) knows that a person whose signature appears on the certificate of nomination
978signature sheet is not registered to vote in this state and does not intend to
979become registered to vote in this state.
980(b) Any person violating this Subsection (4) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
981   (5)(a) To qualify for placement on the general election ballot, the candidate shall, no
982earlier than the start of the applicable declaration of candidacy period described in
983Section 20A-9-201.5 and no later than 5 p.m. on June 15 of the year in which the
984election will be held:
985(i) comply with Subsection 20A-9-503(1); and
986(ii) submit each signature packet to the county clerk where the majority of the
987signatures in the packet were collected, with signatures totaling:
988(A) at least 1,000 registered voters residing within the state when the nomination
989is for an office to be filled by the voters of the entire state; or
990(B) at least 300 registered voters residing within a political division or at least 5%
991of the registered voters residing within a political division, whichever is less,
992when the nomination is for an office to be filled by the voters of any political
993division smaller than the state.
994(b) A candidate has not complied with Subsection (5)(a)(ii), unless the county clerks
995verify that each required signature is a valid signature of a registered voter who is
996eligible to sign the signature packet and has not signed a signature packet to nominate
997another candidate for the same office.
998(c) In reviewing the signature packets, the county clerk shall count and certify only those
999persons who signed with a holographic signature, who:
1000  (i) are registered voters within the political division that the candidate seeks to
1001  represent; and
1002  (ii) did not sign any other certificate of nomination for that office.
1003  (d) The county clerk shall count and certify the number of registered voters who validly
1004  signed a signature packet, no later than 30 calendar days after the day on which the
1005  candidate submits the signature packet.
1006  (e) The candidate may supplement the signatures or amend the certificate of nomination
1007  or declaration of candidacy at any time on or before 5 p.m. on June 15 of the year in
1008  which the election will be held.
1009  (f) The county clerk shall use the procedures described in Section 20A-1-1002 to
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1010  determine whether a signer is a registered voter who is qualified to sign the signature
1011  packet.
1012     (6) Subject to Subsection (8)(a)(i), and notwithstanding Section 20A-2-104, the county
1013  clerk shall, no later than one business day after the day on which the signature of a voter
1014  who signs a signature packet is verified under Subsection (5)(b):
1015  (a) post the voter's name, voter precinct number, and date of signature on the lieutenant
1016  governor's website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor,
1017  for at least 90 calendar days after the date of the general election; and
1018  (b) if the voter's voter information in the voter registration database includes a valid
1019  email address, use an electronic notification system to send an email notice to the
1020  voter, informing the voter that:
1021  (i) the voter's nomination petition signature is verified;
1022  (ii) the voter's name and voter information described in Subsection (6)(a) is posted on
1023  the lieutenant governor's website; and
1024  (iii) the voter has until the deadline described in Subsection (7)(a) to submit a
1025  statement to the county clerk, in accordance with Subsection 20A-1-1003(2),
1026  requesting that the voter's signature be removed from the petition.
1027     [(6)] (7)(a) A voter who signs a signature packet under this section may have the voter's
1028  signature removed from the signature packet by, no later than 5 p.m. three business
1029  days after the day on which [the candidate submits the signature packet to the county
1030  clerk] the county clerk makes the posting described in Subsection (6)(a), submitting to
1031  the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed.
1032  (b) A statement described in Subsection [(6)(a)] (7)(a) shall comply with the
1033  requirements described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).
1034  (c) The county clerk shall use the procedures described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(3) to
1035  determine whether to remove an individual's signature from a signature packet after
1036  receiving a timely, valid statement requesting removal of the signature.
1037     (8)(a) If a county clerk timely receives a statement requesting signature removal under
1038  Subsection (7)(a) and determines that the signature should be removed from the
1039  nomination petition under Subsection 20A-1-1003(3), the county clerk shall:
1040  (i) remove the voter's name from the nomination petition;
1041  (ii) remove the voter's name, voter precinct number, and date of signature from the
1042  posting described in Subsection (6)(a); and
1043  (iii) update the nomination petition signature totals.
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1044  (b) The county clerk shall comply with Subsection (8)(a) no later than five business days
1045  after the day on which the county clerk receives a statement requesting signature
1046  removal under Subsection (7)(a).
1047  Section 11. Section 20A-9-701 is amended to read:
1048  20A-9-701 . Certification of party candidates to county clerks -- Display on ballot.
1049     (1) No later than August 31 of each regular general election year, the lieutenant governor
1050  shall certify to each county clerk, for offices to be voted upon at the regular general
1051  election in that county clerk's county:
1052  (a) the names of each candidate nominated under Subsection 20A-9-202(4) or
1053  Subsection [20A-9-403(5)] 20A-9-403(9); and
1054  (b) the names of the candidates for president and vice president that are certified by the
1055  registered political party as the party's nominees.
1056     (2) The names shall be certified by the lieutenant governor and shall be displayed on the
1057  ballot as they are provided on the candidate's declaration of candidacy. No other names
1058  may appear on the ballot as affiliated with, endorsed by, or nominated by any other
1059  registered political party, political party, or other political group.
1060  Section 12. Effective Date.
1061     This bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.
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