Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0291 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
2	2	1
3	3	Mayoral Recall Election Amendments
4	4	2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	5	STATE OF UTAH
6	6	Chief Sponsor: Nelson T. Abbott
7	7	2
8	8
9	9	3
10	10	LONG TITLE
11	11	4
12	12	General Description:
13	13	5
14	14	This bill establishes a procedure to conduct a recall election for the office of mayor.
15	15	6
16	16	Highlighted Provisions:
17	17	7
18	18	This bill:
19	19	8
20	20	▸ defines terms;
21	21	9
22	22	▸ establishes a procedure to require a recall election for a mayor;
23	23	10
24	24	▸ establishes requirements to file a recall application and petition;
25	25	11
26	26	▸ describes requirements for a petition for a recall election, gathering and submitting
27	27	12
28	28	signatures, removing signatures, and evaluating signatures;
29	29	13
30	30	▸ establishes requirements for holding a recall election and determining the results of a
31	31	14
32	32	recall election;
33	33	15
34	34	▸ establishes ballot requirements for a recall election;
35	35	16
36	36	▸ establishes criminal penalties for misconduct relating to a petition for a recall election; and
37	37	17
38	38	▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
39	39	18
40	40	Money Appropriated in this Bill:
41	41	19
42	42	None
43	43	20
44	44	Other Special Clauses:
45	45	21
46	46	None
47	47	22
48	48	Utah Code Sections Affected:
49	49	23
50	50	AMENDS:
51	51	24
52	52	20A-1-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 438
53	53	25
54	54	20A-1-206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 15, 435
55	55	26
56	56	20A-1-1001, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 116
57	57	27
58	58	20A-6-305, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 49
59	59	28
60	60	ENACTS:
61	61	29
62	62	20A-1-1101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
63	63	30
64	64	20A-1-1102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
65	65	31
66	66	20A-1-1103, Utah Code Annotated 1953 H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
67	67	32
68	68	20A-1-1104, Utah Code Annotated 1953
69	69	33
70	70	20A-1-1105, Utah Code Annotated 1953
71	71	34
72	72	20A-1-1106, Utah Code Annotated 1953
73	73	35
74	74	20A-1-1107, Utah Code Annotated 1953
75	75	36
76	76	20A-1-1108, Utah Code Annotated 1953
77	77	37
78	78	20A-1-1109, Utah Code Annotated 1953
79	79	38
80	80	20A-1-1110, Utah Code Annotated 1953
81	81	39
82	82
83	83	40
84	84	Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
85	85	41
86	86	Section 1. Section 20A-1-102 is amended to read:
87	87	42
88	88	20A-1-102 . Definitions.
89	89	43
90	90	As used in this title:
91	91	44
92	92	(1) "Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive voter
93	93	45
94	94	by the county clerk.
95	95	46
96	96	(2) "Automatic tabulating equipment" means apparatus that automatically examines and
97	97	47
98	98	counts votes recorded on ballots and tabulates the results.
99	99	48
100	100	(3)(a) "Ballot" means the storage medium, including a paper, mechanical, or electronic
101	101	49
102	102	storage medium, that records an individual voter's vote.
103	103	50
104	104	(b) "Ballot" does not include a record to tally multiple votes.
105	105	51
106	106	(4) "Ballot proposition" means a question, issue, or proposal that is submitted to voters on
107	107	52
108	108	the ballot for their approval or rejection including:
109	109	53
110	110	(a) an opinion question specifically authorized by the Legislature;
111	111	54
112	112	(b) a constitutional amendment;
113	113	55
114	114	(c) an initiative;
115	115	56
116	116	(d) a referendum;
117	117	57
118	118	(e) a bond proposition;
119	119	58
120	120	(f) a judicial retention question;
121	121	59
122	122	(g) an incorporation of a city or town; or
123	123	60
124	124	(h) any other ballot question specifically authorized by the Legislature.
125	125	61
126	126	(5) "Bind," "binding," or "bound" means securing more than one piece of paper together
127	127	62
128	128	using staples or another means in at least three places across the top of the paper in the
129	129	63
130	130	blank space reserved for securing the paper.
131	131	64
132	132	(6) "Board of canvassers" means the entities established by Sections 20A-4-301 and
133	133	65
134	134	20A-4-306 to canvass election returns.
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136	136	66
137	137	(7) "Bond election" means an election held for the purpose of approving or rejecting the
138	138	67
139	139	proposed issuance of bonds by a government entity.
140	140	68
141	141	(8) "Business reply mail envelope" means an envelope that may be mailed free of charge by
142	142	69
143	143	the sender.
144	144	70
145	145	(9) "Canvass" means the review of election returns and the official declaration of election
146	146	71
147	147	results by the board of canvassers.
148	148	72
149	149	(10) "Canvassing judge" means a poll worker designated to assist in counting ballots at the
150	150	73
151	151	canvass.
152	152	74
153	153	(11) "Contracting election officer" means an election officer who enters into a contract or
154	154	75
155	155	interlocal agreement with a provider election officer.
156	156	76
157	157	(12) "Convention" means the political party convention at which party officers and
158	158	77
159	159	delegates are selected.
160	160	78
161	161	(13) "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by the election officer in
162	162	79
163	163	charge of the election for the automatic counting of ballots.
164	164	80
165	165	(14) "Counting judge" means a poll worker designated to count the ballots during election
166	166	81
167	167	day.
168	168	82
169	169	(15) "Counting room" means a suitable and convenient private place or room for use by the
170	170	83
171	171	poll workers and counting judges to count ballots.
172	172	84
173	173	(16) "County officers" means those county officers that are required by law to be elected.
174	174	85
175	175	(17) "Date of the election" or "election day" or "day of the election":
176	176	86
177	177	(a) means the day that is specified in the calendar year as the day that the election
178	178	87
179	179	occurs; and
180	180	88
181	181	(b) does not include:
182	182	89
183	183	(i) deadlines established for voting by mail, military-overseas voting, or emergency
184	184	90
185	185	voting; or
186	186	91
187	187	(ii) any early voting or early voting period as provided under Chapter 3a, Part 6,
188	188	92
189	189	Early Voting.
190	190	93
191	191	(18) "Elected official" means:
192	192	94
193	193	(a) a person elected to an office under Section 20A-1-303 or Chapter 4, Part 6,
194	194	95
195	195	Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project;
196	196	96
197	197	(b) a person who is considered to be elected to a municipal office in accordance with [
198	198	97
199	199	Subsection 20A-1-206(1)(c)(ii)] Section 20A-1-206; or
200	200	98
201	201	(c) a person who is considered to be elected to a special district office in accordance
202	202	99
203	203	with [Subsection 20A-1-206(3)(b)(ii)] Section 20A-1-206.
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205	205	100
206	206	(19) "Election" means a regular general election, a municipal general election, a statewide
207	207	101
208	208	special election, a local special election, a regular primary election, a municipal primary
209	209	102
210	210	election, and a special district election.
211	211	103
212	212	(20) "Election Assistance Commission" means the commission established by the Help
213	213	104
214	214	America Vote Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-252.
215	215	105
216	216	(21) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day persons are eligible to file
217	217	106
218	218	declarations of candidacy and ending when the canvass is completed.
219	219	107
220	220	(22) "Election judge" means a poll worker that is assigned to:
221	221	108
222	222	(a) preside over other poll workers at a polling place;
223	223	109
224	224	(b) act as the presiding election judge; or
225	225	110
226	226	(c) serve as a canvassing judge, counting judge, or receiving judge.
227	227	111
228	228	(23) "Election officer" means:
229	229	112
230	230	(a) the lieutenant governor, for all statewide ballots and elections;
231	231	113
232	232	(b) the county clerk for:
233	233	114
234	234	(i) a county ballot and election; and
235	235	115
236	236	(ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
237	237	116
238	238	20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5;
239	239	117
240	240	(c) the municipal clerk for:
241	241	118
242	242	(i) a municipal ballot and election; and
243	243	119
244	244	(ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
245	245	120
246	246	20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5;
247	247	121
248	248	(d) the special district clerk or chief executive officer for:
249	249	122
250	250	(i) a special district ballot and election; and
251	251	123
252	252	(ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
253	253	124
254	254	20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5; or
255	255	125
256	256	(e) the business administrator or superintendent of a school district for:
257	257	126
258	258	(i) a school district ballot and election; and
259	259	127
260	260	(ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
261	261	128
262	262	20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5.
263	263	129
264	264	(24) "Election official" means any election officer, election judge, or poll worker.
265	265	130
266	266	(25) "Election results" means:
267	267	131
268	268	(a) for an election other than a bond election, the count of votes cast in the election and
269	269	132
270	270	the election returns requested by the board of canvassers; or
271	271	133
272	272	(b) for bond elections, the count of those votes cast for and against the bond proposition
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274	274	134
275	275	plus any or all of the election returns that the board of canvassers may request.
276	276	135
277	277	(26) "Election returns" includes:
278	278	136
279	279	(a) the pollbook, the military and overseas absentee voter registration and voting
280	280	137
281	281	certificates, one of the tally sheets, any unprocessed ballots, all counted ballots, all
282	282	138
283	283	excess ballots, all unused ballots, all spoiled ballots, the ballot disposition form, and
284	284	139
285	285	the total votes cast form; and
286	286	140
287	287	(b) the record, described in Subsection 20A-3a-401(8)(c), of voters contacted to cure a
288	288	141
289	289	ballot.
290	290	142
291	291	(27) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or
292	292	143
293	293	logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to
294	294	144
295	295	sign the record.
296	296	145
297	297	(28) "Inactive voter" means a registered voter who is listed as inactive by a county clerk
298	298	146
299	299	under Subsection 20A-2-505(4)(c)(i) or (ii).
300	300	147
301	301	(29) "Judicial office" means the office filled by any judicial officer.
302	302	148
303	303	(30) "Judicial officer" means any justice or judge of a court of record or any county court
304	304	149
305	305	judge.
306	306	150
307	307	(31) "Local election" means a regular county election, a regular municipal election, a
308	308	151
309	309	municipal primary election, a local special election, a special district election, and a
310	310	152
311	311	bond election.
312	312	153
313	313	(32) "Local political subdivision" means a county, a municipality, a special district, or a
314	314	154
315	315	local school district.
316	316	155
317	317	(33) "Local special election" means a special election called by the governing body of a
318	318	156
319	319	local political subdivision in which all registered voters of the local political subdivision
320	320	157
321	321	may vote.
322	322	158
323	323	(34) "Manual ballot" means a paper document produced by an election officer on which an
324	324	159
325	325	individual records an individual's vote by directly placing a mark on the paper document
326	326	160
327	327	using a pen or other marking instrument.
328	328	161
329	329	(35) "Mechanical ballot" means a record, including a paper record, electronic record, or
330	330	162
331	331	mechanical record, that:
332	332	163
333	333	(a) is created via electronic or mechanical means; and
334	334	164
335	335	(b) records an individual voter's vote cast via a method other than an individual directly
336	336	165
337	337	placing a mark, using a pen or other marking instrument, to record an individual
338	338	166
339	339	voter's vote.
340	340	167
341	341	(36) "Municipal executive" means:
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343	343	168
344	344	(a) the mayor in the council-mayor form of government defined in Section 10-3b-102; or
345	345	169
346	346	(b) the mayor in the council-manager form of government defined in Subsection
347	347	170
348	348	10-3b-103(6).
349	349	171
350	350	(37) "Municipal general election" means the election held in municipalities and, as
351	351	172
352	352	applicable, special districts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of
353	353	173
354	354	each odd-numbered year for the purposes established in Section 20A-1-202.
355	355	174
356	356	(38) "Municipal legislative body" meansthe council of the city or town in any form of
357	357	175
358	358	municipal government.
359	359	176
360	360	(39) "Municipal office" means an elective office in a municipality.
361	361	177
362	362	(40) "Municipal officers" means those municipal officers that are required by law to be
363	363	178
364	364	elected.
365	365	179
366	366	(41) "Municipal primary election" means an election held to nominate candidates for
367	367	180
368	368	municipal office.
369	369	181
370	370	(42) "Municipality" means a city or town.
371	371	182
372	372	(43) "Official ballot" means the ballots distributed by the election officer for voters to
373	373	183
374	374	record their votes.
375	375	184
376	376	(44) "Official endorsement" means the information on the ballot that identifies:
377	377	185
378	378	(a) the ballot as an official ballot;
379	379	186
380	380	(b) the date of the election; and
381	381	187
382	382	(c)(i) for a ballot prepared by an election officer other than a county clerk, the
383	383	188
384	384	facsimile signature required by Subsection 20A-6-401(1)(a)(iii); or
385	385	189
386	386	(ii) for a ballot prepared by a county clerk, the words required by Subsection
387	387	190
388	388	20A-6-301(1)(b)(iii).
389	389	191
390	390	(45) "Official register" means the official record furnished to election officials by the
391	391	192
392	392	election officer that contains the information required by Section 20A-5-401.
393	393	193
394	394	(46) "Political party" means an organization of registered voters that has qualified to
395	395	194
396	396	participate in an election by meeting the requirements of Chapter 8, Political Party
397	397	195
398	398	Formation and Procedures.
399	399	196
400	400	(47)(a) "Poll worker" means a person assigned by an election official to assist with an
401	401	197
402	402	election, voting, or counting votes.
403	403	198
404	404	(b) "Poll worker" includes election judges.
405	405	199
406	406	(c) "Poll worker" does not include a watcher.
407	407	200
408	408	(48) "Pollbook" means a record of the names of voters in the order that they appear to cast
409	409	201
410	410	votes.
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412	412	202
413	413	(49) "Polling place" means a building where voting is conducted.
414	414	203
415	415	(50) "Position" means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a ballot in
416	416	204
417	417	which the voter marks the voter's choice.
418	418	205
419	419	(51) "Presidential Primary Election" means the election established in Chapter 9, Part 8,
420	420	206
421	421	Presidential Primary Election.
422	422	207
423	423	(52) "Primary convention" means the political party conventions held during the year of the
424	424	208
425	425	regular general election.
426	426	209
427	427	(53) "Protective counter" means a separate counter, which cannot be reset, that:
428	428	210
429	429	(a) is built into a voting machine; and
430	430	211
431	431	(b) records the total number of movements of the operating lever.
432	432	212
433	433	(54) "Provider election officer" means an election officer who enters into a contract or
434	434	213
435	435	interlocal agreement with a contracting election officer to conduct an election for the
436	436	214
437	437	contracting election officer's local political subdivision in accordance with Section
438	438	215
439	439	20A-5-400.1.
440	440	216
441	441	(55) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot voted provisionally by a person:
442	442	217
443	443	(a) whose name is not listed on the official register at the polling place;
444	444	218
445	445	(b) whose legal right to vote is challenged as provided in this title; or
446	446	219
447	447	(c) whose identity was not sufficiently established by a poll worker.
448	448	220
449	449	(56) "Provisional ballot envelope" means an envelope printed in the form required by
450	450	221
451	451	Section 20A-6-105 that is used to identify provisional ballots and to provide information
452	452	222
453	453	to verify a person's legal right to vote.
454	454	223
455	455	(57)(a) "Public figure" means an individual who, due to the individual being considered
456	456	224
457	457	for, holding, or having held a position of prominence in a public or private capacity,
458	458	225
459	459	or due to the individual's celebrity status, has an increased risk to the individual's
460	460	226
461	461	safety.
462	462	227
463	463	(b) "Public figure" does not include an individual:
464	464	228
465	465	(i) elected to public office; or
466	466	229
467	467	(ii) appointed to fill a vacancy in an elected public office.
468	468	230
469	469	(58) "Qualify" or "qualified" means to take the oath of office and begin performing the
470	470	231
471	471	duties of the position for which the individual was elected.
472	472	232
473	473	(59) "Receiving judge" means the poll worker that checks the voter's name in the official
474	474	233
475	475	register at a polling place and provides the voter with a ballot.
476	476	234
477	477	(60) "Registration form" means a form by which an individual may register to vote under
478	478	235
479	479	this title.
480	480	- 7 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
481	481	236
482	482	(61) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is not a provisional ballot.
483	483	237
484	484	(62) "Regular general election" means the election held throughout the state on the first
485	485	238
486	486	Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year for the
487	487	239
488	488	purposes established in Section 20A-1-201.
489	489	240
490	490	(63) "Regular primary election" means the election, held on the date specified in Section
491	491	241
492	492	20A-1-201.5, to nominate candidates of political parties and candidates for nonpartisan
493	493	242
494	494	local school board positions to advance to the regular general election.
495	495	243
496	496	(64) "Resident" means a person who resides within a specific voting precinct in Utah.
497	497	244
498	498	(65) "Return envelope" means the envelope, described in Subsection 20A-3a-202(4),
499	499	245
500	500	provided to a voter with a manual ballot:
501	501	246
502	502	(a) into which the voter places the manual ballot after the voter has voted the manual
503	503	247
504	504	ballot in order to preserve the secrecy of the voter's vote; and
505	505	248
506	506	(b) that includes the voter affidavit and a place for the voter's signature.
507	507	249
508	508	(66) "Sample ballot" means a mock ballot similar in form to the official ballot, published as
509	509	250
510	510	provided in Section 20A-5-405.
511	511	251
512	512	(67) "Special district" means a local government entity under Title 17B, Limited Purpose
513	513	252
514	514	Local Government Entities - Special Districts, and includes a special service district
515	515	253
516	516	under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.
517	517	254
518	518	(68) "Special district officers" means those special district board members who are required
519	519	255
520	520	by law to be elected.
521	521	256
522	522	(69) "Special election" means an election held as authorized by Section 20A-1-203.
523	523	257
524	524	(70) "Spoiled ballot" means each ballot that:
525	525	258
526	526	(a) is spoiled by the voter;
527	527	259
528	528	(b) is unable to be voted because it was spoiled by the printer or a poll worker; or
529	529	260
530	530	(c) lacks the official endorsement.
531	531	261
532	532	(71) "Statewide special election" means a special election called by the governor or the
533	533	262
534	534	Legislature in which all registered voters in Utah may vote.
535	535	263
536	536	(72) "Tabulation system" means a device or system designed for the sole purpose of
537	537	264
538	538	tabulating votes cast by voters at an election.
539	539	265
540	540	(73) "Ticket" means a list of:
541	541	266
542	542	(a) political parties;
543	543	267
544	544	(b) candidates for an office; or
545	545	268
546	546	(c) ballot propositions.
547	547	269
548	548	(74) "Transfer case" means the sealed box used to transport voted ballots to the counting
549	549	- 8 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
550	550	270
551	551	center.
552	552	271
553	553	(75) "Vacancy" means:
554	554	272
555	555	(a) except as provided in Subsection (75)(b), the absence of an individual to serve in a
556	556	273
557	557	position created by state constitution or state statute, whether that absence occurs
558	558	274
559	559	because of death, disability, disqualification, resignation, or other cause ; or
560	560	275
561	561	(b) in relation to a candidate for a position created by state constitution or state statute,
562	562	276
563	563	the removal of a candidate due to the candidate's death, resignation, or
564	564	277
565	565	disqualification.
566	566	278
567	567	(76) "Valid voter identification" means:
568	568	279
569	569	(a) a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may
570	570	280
571	571	include:
572	572	281
573	573	(i) a currently valid Utah driver license;
574	574	282
575	575	(ii) a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
576	576	283
577	577	(A) the state; or
578	578	284
579	579	(B) a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
580	580	285
581	581	(iii) a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
582	582	286
583	583	(iv) a currently valid United States passport; or
584	584	287
585	585	(v) a currently valid United States military identification card;
586	586	288
587	587	(b) one of the following identification cards, whether or not the card includes a
588	588	289
589	589	photograph of the voter:
590	590	290
591	591	(i) a valid tribal identification card;
592	592	291
593	593	(ii) a Bureau of Indian Affairs card; or
594	594	292
595	595	(iii) a tribal treaty card; or
596	596	293
597	597	(c) two forms of identification not listed under Subsection (76)(a) or (b) but that bear the
598	598	294
599	599	name of the voter and provide evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct,
600	600	295
601	601	which may include:
602	602	296
603	603	(i) a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof, dated within the 90 days before the
604	604	297
605	605	election;
606	606	298
607	607	(ii) a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
608	608	299
609	609	(iii) a certified birth certificate;
610	610	300
611	611	(iv) a valid social security card;
612	612	301
613	613	(v) a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
614	614	302
615	615	(vi) a paycheck from the voter's employer, or a legible copy thereof;
616	616	303
617	617	(vii) a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
618	618	- 9 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
619	619	304
620	620	(viii) certified naturalization documentation;
621	621	305
622	622	(ix) a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;
623	623	306
624	624	(x) a certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change;
625	625	307
626	626	(xi) a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card;
627	627	308
628	628	(xii) a currently valid identification card issued by:
629	629	309
630	630	(A) a local government within the state;
631	631	310
632	632	(B) an employer for an employee; or
633	633	311
634	634	(C) a college, university, technical school, or professional school located within
635	635	312
636	636	the state; or
637	637	313
638	638	(xiii) a current Utah vehicle registration.
639	639	314
640	640	(77) "Valid write-in candidate" means a candidate who has qualified as a write-in candidate
641	641	315
642	642	by following the procedures and requirements of this title.
643	643	316
644	644	(78) "Vote by mail" means to vote, using a manual ballot that is mailed to the voter, by:
645	645	317
646	646	(a) mailing the ballot to the location designated in the mailing; or
647	647	318
648	648	(b) depositing the ballot in a ballot drop box designated by the election officer.
649	649	319
650	650	(79) "Voter" means an individual who:
651	651	320
652	652	(a) meets the requirements for voting in an election;
653	653	321
654	654	(b) meets the requirements of election registration;
655	655	322
656	656	(c) is registered to vote; and
657	657	323
658	658	(d) is listed in the official register book.
659	659	324
660	660	(80) "Voter registration deadline" means the registration deadline provided in Section
661	661	325
662	662	20A-2-102.5.
663	663	326
664	664	(81) "Voting area" means the area within six feet of the voting booths, voting machines,
665	665	327
666	666	and ballot box.
667	667	328
668	668	(82) "Voting booth" means:
669	669	329
670	670	(a) the space or compartment within a polling place that is provided for the preparation
671	671	330
672	672	of ballots, including the voting enclosure or curtain; or
673	673	331
674	674	(b) a voting device that is free standing.
675	675	332
676	676	(83) "Voting device" means any device provided by an election officer for a voter to vote a
677	677	333
678	678	mechanical ballot.
679	679	334
680	680	(84) "Voting precinct" means the smallest geographical voting unit, established under
681	681	335
682	682	Chapter 5, Part 3, Duties of the County and Municipal Legislative Bodies.
683	683	336
684	684	(85) "Watcher" means an individual who complies with the requirements described in
685	685	337
686	686	Section 20A-3a-801 to become a watcher for an election.
687	687	- 10 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
688	688	338
689	689	(86) "Write-in ballot" means a ballot containing any write-in votes.
690	690	339
691	691	(87) "Write-in vote" means a vote cast for an individual, whose name is not printed on the
692	692	340
693	693	ballot, in accordance with the procedures established in this title.
694	694	341
695	695	Section 2. Section 20A-1-206 is amended to read:
696	696	342
697	697	20A-1-206 . Cancellation of local election or local race -- Municipalities -- Special
698	698	343
699	699	districts -- Notice.
700	700	344
701	701	(1) As used in this section:
702	702	345
703	703	(a) "Contested race" means a race in a general election where the number of candidates,
704	704	346
705	705	including any eligible write-in candidates, exceeds the number of offices to be filled
706	706	347
707	707	in the race.
708	708	348
709	709	(b) "Election" means an event, run by an election officer, that includes one or more races
710	710	349
711	711	for public office or one or more ballot propositions.
712	712	350
713	713	(c)(i) "Race" means a contest between candidates to obtain the number of votes
714	714	351
715	715	necessary to take a particular public office.
716	716	352
717	717	(ii) "Race," as the term relates to a contest for an at-large position, includes all open
718	718	353
719	719	positions for the same at-large office.
720	720	354
721	721	(iii) "Race," as the term relates to a contest for a municipal council position that is not
722	722	355
723	723	an at-large position, includes only the contest to represent a particular district on
724	724	356
725	725	the council.
726	726	357
727	727	(2) A municipal legislative body may cancel a local election if:
728	728	358
729	729	(a) the ballot for the local election will not include:
730	730	359
731	731	(i) any contested races or ballot propositions; or
732	732	360
733	733	(ii) a recall election described in Part 11, Recall Election for Mayor; and
734	734	361
735	735	(b) the municipal legislative body passes, no later than 20 days before the day of the
736	736	362
737	737	scheduled election, a resolution that cancels the election and certifies that:
738	738	363
739	739	(i) the ballot for the election would not include any contested races or ballot
740	740	364
741	741	propositions; and
742	742	365
743	743	(ii) the candidates who qualified for the ballot are considered elected.
744	744	366
745	745	(3) A municipal legislative body may cancel a race in a local election if:
746	746	367
747	747	(a) the ballot for the race will not include any contested races or ballot propositions; and
748	748	368
749	749	(b) the municipal legislative body passes, no later than 20 days before the day of the
750	750	369
751	751	scheduled election, a resolution that cancels the race and certifies that:
752	752	370
753	753	(i) the ballot for the race would not include any contested races or ballot propositions;
754	754	371
755	755	and
756	756	- 11 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
757	757	372
758	758	(ii) the candidate for the race is considered elected.
759	759	373
760	760	(4) A municipal legislative body that cancels a local election in accordance with Subsection
761	761	374
762	762	(2) shall give notice that the election is cancelled by:
763	763	375
764	764	(a) subject to Subsection (8), providing notice to the lieutenant governor's office to be
765	765	376
766	766	posted on the Statewide Electronic Voter Information Website described in Section
767	767	377
768	768	20A-7-801, for 15 consecutive days before the day of the scheduled election; and
769	769	378
770	770	(b) providing notice for the municipality, as a class A notice under Section 63G-30-102,
771	771	379
772	772	for at least 15 days before the day of the scheduled election.
773	773	380
774	774	(5) A special district board may cancel a local election if:
775	775	381
776	776	(a) the ballot for the local election will not include any contested races or ballot
777	777	382
778	778	propositions; and
779	779	383
780	780	(b) the special district board passes, no later than 20 days before the day of the
781	781	384
782	782	scheduled election, a resolution that cancels the election and certifies that:
783	783	385
784	784	(i) the ballot for the election would not include any contested races or ballot
785	785	386
786	786	propositions; and
787	787	387
788	788	(ii) the candidates who qualified for the ballot are considered elected.
789	789	388
790	790	(6) A special district board may cancel a special district race if:
791	791	389
792	792	(a) the race is uncontested; and
793	793	390
794	794	(b) the special district board passes, no later than 20 days before the day of the
795	795	391
796	796	scheduled election, a resolution that cancels the race and certifies that the candidate
797	797	392
798	798	who qualified for the ballot for that race is considered elected.
799	799	393
800	800	(7) A special district that cancels a local election in accordance with Subsection (5) shall
801	801	394
802	802	provide notice that the election is cancelled:
803	803	395
804	804	(a) subject to Subsection (8), by posting notice on the Statewide Electronic Voter
805	805	396
806	806	Information Website described in Section 20A-7-801, for 15 consecutive days before
807	807	397
808	808	the day of the scheduled election; and
809	809	398
810	810	(b) as a class A notice under Section 63G-30-102, for at least 15 days before the day of
811	811	399
812	812	the scheduled election.
813	813	400
814	814	(8) A municipal legislative body that posts a notice in accordance with Subsection (4)(a) or
815	815	401
816	816	a special district that posts a notice in accordance with Subsection (7)(a) is not liable for
817	817	402
818	818	a notice that fails to post due to technical or other error by the publisher of the Statewide
819	819	403
820	820	Electronic Voter Information Website.
821	821	404
822	822	Section 3. Section 20A-1-1001 is amended to read:
823	823	405
824	824	20A-1-1001 . Definitions.
825	825	- 12 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
826	826	406
827	827	As used in this part:
828	828	407
829	829	(1)(a) "Clerk" means the lieutenant governor, a county clerk, municipal clerk, town
830	830	408
831	831	clerk, city recorder, or municipal recorder.
832	832	409
833	833	(b) "Clerk" includes a board of trustees under Title 17B, Chapter 1, Provisions
834	834	410
835	835	Applicable to All Special Districts.
836	836	411
837	837	(2) "Local petition" means:
838	838	412
839	839	(a) a manual or electronic local initiative petition described in Chapter 7, Part 5, Local
840	840	413
841	841	Initiatives - Procedures; or
842	842	414
843	843	(b) a manual or electronic local referendum petition described in Chapter 7, Part 6, Local
844	844	415
845	845	Referenda - Procedures.
846	846	416
847	847	(3) "Petition" means one of the following written requests, signed by registered voters,
848	848	417
849	849	appealing to an authority with respect to a particular cause:
850	850	418
851	851	(a) a local petition;
852	852	419
853	853	(b) a petition to consolidate two or more municipalities under Section 10-2-601;
854	854	420
855	855	(c) a petition for disincorporation of a municipality under Section 10-2-701;
856	856	421
857	857	(d) a petition to incorporate a proposed municipality under Section 10-2a-208;
858	858	422
859	859	(e) a petition to consolidate adjoining counties under Section 17-2-103;
860	860	423
861	861	(f) a petition to annex a portion of a county to an adjoining county under Section
862	862	424
863	863	17-2-203;
864	864	425
865	865	(g) a petition for the creation of a new county under Section 17-3-1;
866	866	426
867	867	(h) a petition for the removal of a county seat under Section 17-11-2;
868	868	427
869	869	(i) a petition for the adoption of an optional plan under Section 17-52a-303;
870	870	428
871	871	(j) a petition for the repeal of an optional plan under Section 17-52a-505;
872	872	429
873	873	(k) a petition to create a special district under Section 17B-1-203;
874	874	430
875	875	(l) a petition to withdraw an area from a special district under Section 17B-1-504;
876	876	431
877	877	(m) a petition to dissolve a special district under Section 17B-1-1303;
878	878	432
879	879	(n) a petition for issuance of local building authority bonds under Section 17D-2-502;
880	880	433
881	881	(o) a recall petition, as defined in Section 20A-1-1101;
882	882	434
883	883	[(o)] (p) a petition to become a registered political party under Section 20A-8-103;
884	884	435
885	885	[(p)] (q) a nomination petition for municipal office under Section 20A-9-203;
886	886	436
887	887	[(q)] (r) a nomination petition for a regular primary election under Subsection
888	888	437
889	889	20A-9-403(3)(a) and Section 20A-9-405;
890	890	438
891	891	[(r)] (s) a petition for a political party to qualify as a municipal political party under
892	892	439
893	893	Section 20A-9-404;
894	894	- 13 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
895	895	440
896	896	[(s)] (t) a petition for the nomination of a qualified political party under Section
897	897	441
898	898	20A-9-408;
899	899	442
900	900	[(t)] (u) a nomination petition for a candidate not affiliated with a political party under
901	901	443
902	902	Section 20A-9-502;
903	903	444
904	904	[(u)] (v) a nomination petition to become a delegate to a ratification convention under
905	905	445
906	906	Section 20A-15-103;
907	907	446
908	908	[(v)] (w) a petition to create a new school district under Section 53G-3-301;
909	909	447
910	910	[(w)] (x) a petition to consolidate school districts under Section 53G-3-401;
911	911	448
912	912	[(x)] (y) a petition to transfer a portion of a school district to another district under
913	913	449
914	914	Section 53G-3-501;
915	915	450
916	916	[(y)] (z) a petition to determine whether a privatization project agreement should be
917	917	451
918	918	approved under Section 73-10d-4; or
919	919	452
920	920	[(z)] (aa) a statewide petition.
921	921	453
922	922	(4) "Statewide petition" means:
923	923	454
924	924	(a) a manual or electronic statewide initiative petition described in Chapter 7, Part 2,
925	925	455
926	926	Statewide Initiatives; or
927	927	456
928	928	(b) a manual or electronic statewide referendum petition described in Chapter 7, Part 3,
929	929	457
930	930	Statewide Referenda.
931	931	458
932	932	(5)(a) "Substantially similar name" means:
933	933	459
934	934	(i) the given name, the surname, or both, provided by the individual with the
935	935	460
936	936	individual's petition signature, contain only minor spelling differences when
937	937	461
938	938	compared to the given name and surname shown on the official register;
939	939	462
940	940	(ii) the surname provided by the individual with the individual's petition signature
941	941	463
942	942	exactly matches the surname shown on the official register, and the given names
943	943	464
944	944	differ only because one of the given names shown is a commonly used
945	945	465
946	946	abbreviation or variation of the other;
947	947	466
948	948	(iii) the surname provided by the individual with the individual's petition signature
949	949	467
950	950	exactly matches the surname shown on the official register, and the given names
951	951	468
952	952	differ only because one of the given names shown is accompanied by a first or
953	953	469
954	954	middle initial or a middle name which is not shown on the other record; or
955	955	470
956	956	(iv) the surname provided by the individual with the individual's petition signature
957	957	471
958	958	exactly matches the surname shown on the official register, and the given names
959	959	472
960	960	differ only because one of the given names shown is an alphabetically
961	961	473
962	962	corresponding initial that has been provided in the place of a given name shown
963	963	- 14 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
964	964	474
965	965	on the other record.
966	966	475
967	967	(b) "Substantially similar name" does not include a name having an initial or a middle
968	968	476
969	969	name provided by the individual with the individual's petition signature that does not
970	970	477
971	971	match a different initial or middle name shown on the official register.
972	972	478
973	973	Section 4. Section 20A-1-1101 is enacted to read:
974	974	479
975	975
976	976	Part 11. Recall Election for Mayor
977	977	480
978	978	20A-1-1101 . Definitions.
979	979	481
980	980	As used in this part:
981	981	482
982	982	(1) "Petition sponsor" means an individual described in Subsection 20A-1-1102(2)(e) who
983	983	483
984	984	signs the recall application.
985	985	484
986	986	(2) "Recall application" means the application described in Section 20A-1-1102 to call an
987	987	485
988	988	election to consider recalling the mayor of a municipality.
989	989	486
990	990	(3) "Recall packet" means a packet created by binding the documents described in, and in
991	991	487
992	992	accordance with, Subsection 20A-1-1105(2)(b).
993	993	488
994	994	(4) "Recall petition" means the form described in Subsection 20A-1-1104(1) petitioning for
995	995	489
996	996	an election to recall the mayor of a municipality.
997	997	490
998	998	(5) "Signature sheet" means a sheet described in Subsection 20A-1-1104(2) used to gather
999	999	491
1000	1000	signatures in support of a recall petition.
1001	1001	492
1002	1002	Section 5. Section 20A-1-1102 is enacted to read:
1003	1003	493
1004	1004	20A-1-1102 . Application for election to consider recalling mayor of municipality.
1005	1005	494
1006	1006	(1) Registered voters who are residents of a municipality may, in accordance with this
1007	1007	495
1008	1008	section, seek the removal of a mayor from office via a recall election by filing a recall
1009	1009	496
1010	1010	application with the county clerk of a county within which all or a portion of the
1011	1011	497
1012	1012	municipality is located.
1013	1013	498
1014	1014	(2) A recall application shall include:
1015	1015	499
1016	1016	(a) the name of the mayor, the name of the municipality, and a statement that the signers
1017	1017	500
1018	1018	of the recall application seek a recall election to remove the mayor from office;
1019	1019	501
1020	1020	(b) a statement that the signers seek removal of the mayor for the commission of a high
1021	1021	502
1022	1022	crime, a misdemeanor, or malfeasance in office, in accordance with Utah
1023	1023	503
1024	1024	Constitution, Article VI, Section 19;
1025	1025	504
1026	1026	(c) a description of the mayor's alleged conduct that constitutes a high crime, a
1027	1027	505
1028	1028	misdemeanor, or malfeasance in office under Utah Constitution, Article VI, Section
1029	1029	506
1030	1030	19;
1031	1031	507
1032	1032	(d) an attestation, under penalty of perjury, that:
1033	1033	- 15 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
1034	1034	508
1035	1035	(i) the statements and descriptions in the application are, to the best of the signers'
1036	1036	509
1037	1037	knowledge, true and accurate; and
1038	1038	510
1039	1039	(ii) the signers are registered voters and residents of the municipality to which the
1040	1040	511
1041	1041	recall application relates; and
1042	1042	512
1043	1043	(e) the name, address, and notarized signature of three registered voters who are
1044	1044	513
1045	1045	residents of the municipality to which the recall application relates.
1046	1046	514
1047	1047	Section 6. Section 20A-1-1103 is enacted to read:
1048	1048	515
1049	1049	20A-1-1103 . Duties of county clerk upon receipt of recall application -- Rejection
1050	1050	516
1051	1051	of recall application -- Appeal.
1052	1052	517
1053	1053	(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a county clerk who receives a recall application
1054	1054	518
1055	1055	under Section 20A-1-1102 shall, within five business days after the day on which the
1056	1056	519
1057	1057	petition sponsors file the recall application, provide one of the petition sponsors with:
1058	1058	520
1059	1059	(a) a recall petition;
1060	1060	521
1061	1061	(b) a signature sheet;
1062	1062	522
1063	1063	(c) the verification form described in Subsection 20A-1-1104(3); and
1064	1064	523
1065	1065	(d) a range of numbers that the signers are required to use for the recall packets.
1066	1066	524
1067	1067	(2)(a) A county clerk shall reject a recall application if:
1068	1068	525
1069	1069	(i) the recall application fails to comply with Section 20A-1-1102;
1070	1070	526
1071	1071	(ii) the county attorney determines, as a matter of law, that the conduct alleged in
1072	1072	527
1073	1073	Section 20A-1-1102, if true, does not constitute grounds for removal from office
1074	1074	528
1075	1075	under Utah Constitution, Article VI, Section 19;
1076	1076	529
1077	1077	(iii) the county attorney determines there is probable cause to believe that a signer of
1078	1078	530
1079	1079	the recall application has committed perjury in the recall application; or
1080	1080	531
1081	1081	(iv) the fifth business day after the day on which the petition sponsors file the recall
1082	1082	532
1083	1083	application is less than 150 calendar days before the date of the last municipal
1084	1084	533
1085	1085	primary election before the term of office of the mayor who is the subject of the
1086	1086	534
1087	1087	recall application ends.
1088	1088	535
1089	1089	(b) A county clerk who rejects a recall application shall, within five business days after
1090	1090	536
1091	1091	the day on which the petition sponsors file the recall application, provide the petition
1092	1092	537
1093	1093	sponsors with a written rejection that:
1094	1094	538
1095	1095	(i) states the reasons for the rejection; and
1096	1096	539
1097	1097	(ii)(A) if the county clerk rejects the application under Subsection (2)(a)(i),
1098	1098	540
1099	1099	describes how the application fails to comply with Section 20A-1-1102;
1100	1100	541
1101	1101	(B) if the county clerk rejects the application under Subsection (2)(a)(ii), describes
1102	1102	- 16 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
1103	1103	542
1104	1104	the legal authority and reasoning for the determination; or
1105	1105	543
1106	1106	(C) if the county clerk rejects the recall application under Subsection (2)(a)(iii),
1107	1107	544
1108	1108	describes the basis for the determination.
1109	1109	545
1110	1110	(c) If the county clerk rejects the recall application under Subsection (2)(a)(iii), the
1111	1111	546
1112	1112	county clerk shall refer the matter to law enforcement for investigation.
1113	1113	547
1114	1114	(3) A recall application is considered rejected if, within five business days after the day on
1115	1115	548
1116	1116	which the petition sponsors file the recall application, the county clerk fails to do one of
1117	1117	549
1118	1118	the following:
1119	1119	550
1120	1120	(a) comply with Subsection (1); or
1121	1121	551
1122	1122	(b) comply with Subsection (2)(b).
1123	1123	552
1124	1124	(4) If a county clerk rejects a recall application or fails to timely comply with Subsection
1125	1125	553
1126	1126	(3), a petition sponsor may appeal the rejection by filing an action in a court with
1127	1127	554
1128	1128	jurisdiction within 10 days after the earlier of:
1129	1129	555
1130	1130	(a) the day on which the clerk complies with Subsection (2)(b); or
1131	1131	556
1132	1132	(b) the day after the clerk fails to timely comply with Subsection (3).
1133	1133	557
1134	1134	Section 7. Section 20A-1-1104 is enacted to read:
1135	1135	558
1136	1136	20A-1-1104 . Recall petition -- Signature sheet -- Verification.
1137	1137	559
1138	1138	(1) A county clerk shall prepare a recall petition in substantially the following form:
1139	1139	560
1140	1140	"RECALL PETITION To the Honorable ____, County Clerk:
1141	1141	561
1142	1142	We, the undersigned citizens of Utah who are residents of (name of municipality),
1143	1143	562
1144	1144	respectfully order that a recall election be held to determine whether (name of mayor)
1145	1145	563
1146	1146	should be removed from office as the mayor of (name of municipality);
1147	1147	564
1148	1148	Each signer says:
1149	1149	565
1150	1150	I have personally signed the recall petition;
1151	1151	566
1152	1152	The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the
1153	1153	567
1154	1154	recall petition;
1155	1155	568
1156	1156	I have personally reviewed the entire recall application included with this packet;
1157	1157	569
1158	1158	I am registered to vote in Utah; and
1159	1159	570
1160	1160	My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name."
1161	1161	571
1162	1162	(2) Each recall petition signature sheet shall:
1163	1163	572
1164	1164	(a) be printed on sheets of paper 8-1/2 inches long and 11 inches wide;
1165	1165	573
1166	1166	(b) be ruled with a horizontal line three-fourths inch from the top, with the space above
1167	1167	574
1168	1168	that line blank for the purpose of binding;
1169	1169	575
1170	1170	(c) include the title of the referendum printed below the horizontal line, in at least
1171	1171	- 17 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
1172	1172	576
1173	1173	14-point type;
1174	1174	577
1175	1175	(d) include a table immediately below the title of the referendum, and beginning .5 inch
1176	1176	578
1177	1177	from the left side of the paper, as follows:
1178	1178	579
1179	1179	(i) the first column shall be .5 inch wide and include three rows;
1180	1180	580
1181	1181	(ii) the first row of the first column shall be .85 inch tall and contain the words "For
1182	1182	581
1183	1183	Office Use Only" in 10-point type;
1184	1184	582
1185	1185	(iii) the second row of the first column shall be .35 inch tall;
1186	1186	583
1187	1187	(iv) the third row of the first column shall be .5 inch tall;
1188	1188	584
1189	1189	(v) the second column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
1190	1190	585
1191	1191	(vi) the first row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
1192	1192	586
1193	1193	"Registered Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)" in 10-point
1194	1194	587
1195	1195	type;
1196	1196	588
1197	1197	(vii) the second row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
1198	1198	589
1199	1199	(viii) the third row of the second column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
1200	1200	590
1201	1201	"Street Address, City, Zip Code" in 10-point type;
1202	1202	591
1203	1203	(ix) the fourth row of the second column shall be .5 inch tall;
1204	1204	592
1205	1205	(x) the third column shall be 2.75 inches wide;
1206	1206	593
1207	1207	(xi) the first row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
1208	1208	594
1209	1209	"Signature of Registered Voter" in 10-point type;
1210	1210	595
1211	1211	(xii) the second row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
1212	1212	596
1213	1213	(xiii) the third row of the third column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
1214	1214	597
1215	1215	"Email Address (optional, to receive additional information)" in 10-point type;
1216	1216	598
1217	1217	(xiv) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall;
1218	1218	599
1219	1219	(xv) the fourth column shall be one inch wide;
1220	1220	600
1221	1221	(xvi) the first row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
1222	1222	601
1223	1223	"Date Signed" in 10-point type;
1224	1224	602
1225	1225	(xvii) the second row of the fourth column shall be .5 inch tall;
1226	1226	603
1227	1227	(xviii) the third row of the fourth column shall be .35 inch tall and contain the words
1228	1228	604
1229	1229	"Birth Date or Age (optional)" in 10-point type;
1230	1230	605
1231	1231	(xix) the fourth row of the third column shall be .5 inch tall; and
1232	1232	606
1233	1233	(xx) the fifth row of the entire table shall be the width of the entire table, .4 inch tall,
1234	1234	607
1235	1235	and contain the following words, "By signing this recall petition, you are stating
1236	1236	608
1237	1237	that you have read the entire recall application attached to this signature packet."
1238	1238	609
1239	1239	in 12-point type;
1240	1240	- 18 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
1241	1241	610
1242	1242	(e) the table described in Subsection (2)(d) shall be repeated, leaving sufficient room at
1243	1243	611
1244	1244	the bottom of the sheet for the information described in Subsection (2)(f); and
1245	1245	612
1246	1246	(f) at the bottom of the sheet, include the word "Warning," in 12-point, bold type,
1247	1247	613
1248	1248	followed by the following statement in not less than eight-point type:
1249	1249	614
1250	1250	"It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign a recall petition with a
1251	1251	615
1252	1252	name other than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's
1253	1253	616
1254	1254	name more than once for the same recall petition, or to sign a recall petition when the
1255	1255	617
1256	1256	individual knows that the individual is not a registered voter.
1257	1257	618
1258	1258	Birth date or age information is not required, but may be used to verify your
1259	1259	619
1260	1260	identity with voter registration records. If you choose not to provide it, your signature
1261	1261	620
1262	1262	may not be verified as a valid signature if you change your address before petition
1263	1263	621
1264	1264	signatures are verified or if the information you provide does not match your voter
1265	1265	622
1266	1266	registration records."
1267	1267	623
1268	1268	(3) The final page of each signature packet shall contain the following printed or typed
1269	1269	624
1270	1270	statement:
1271	1271	625
1272	1272	"Verification of signature collector
1273	1273	626
1274	1274	State of Utah, County of ____
1275	1275	627
1276	1276	I, _______________, of ____, hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that:
1277	1277	628
1278	1278	I am at least 18 years old;
1279	1279	629
1280	1280	All the names that appear in this signature packet were signed by individuals who
1281	1281	630
1282	1282	professed to be the individuals whose names appear in it, and each of the individuals
1283	1283	631
1284	1284	signed the individual's name on it in my presence;
1285	1285	632
1286	1286	I did not knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact concerning this recall
1287	1287	633
1288	1288	petition or the recall application attached to this signature packet; and
1289	1289	634
1290	1290	I believe that each individual has printed and signed the individual's name and
1291	1291	635
1292	1292	written the individual's post office address and residence correctly, that each signer has
1293	1293	636
1294	1294	read the recall application attached to this signature packet, and that each signer is
1295	1295	637
1296	1296	registered to vote in Utah.
1297	1297	638
1298	1298	________________________________________________________________________
1299	1299	639
1300	1300	(Name) (Residence Address) (Date)
1301	1301	640
1302	1302	Each individual who signed the signature packet wrote the correct date of
1303	1303	641
1304	1304	signature next to the individual's name.
1305	1305	642
1306	1306	I have not paid or given anything of value to any individual who signed this
1307	1307	643
1308	1308	signature packet to encourage that individual to sign it.
1309	1309	- 19 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
1310	1310	644
1311	1311	_____________________________________________________________________
1312	1312	645
1313	1313	(Name) (Residence Address) (Date)".
1314	1314	646
1315	1315	(4) If the forms described in this section are substantially followed, the forms are sufficient,
1316	1316	647
1317	1317	notwithstanding clerical and merely technical errors.
1318	1318	648
1319	1319	Section 8. Section 20A-1-1105 is enacted to read:
1320	1320	649
1321	1321	20A-1-1105 . Recall packets.
1322	1322	650
1323	1323	(1) Before gathering signatures for the recall petition, the petition sponsors shall:
1324	1324	651
1325	1325	(a) arrange and pay for the printing of all documents that are part of the recall packets;
1326	1326	652
1327	1327	and
1328	1328	653
1329	1329	(b) ensure that the recall packets and the documents described in Subsection (1)(a) meet
1330	1330	654
1331	1331	the form requirements of this section.
1332	1332	655
1333	1333	(2) The petition sponsors:
1334	1334	656
1335	1335	(a) may prepare the recall packets for circulation by creating multiple recall packets;
1336	1336	657
1337	1337	(b) shall create recall packets by binding, in the following order, the following
1338	1338	658
1339	1339	documents at the top in a manner that the recall packets may be conveniently opened
1340	1340	659
1341	1341	for signing:
1342	1342	660
1343	1343	(i) a copy of the recall petition;
1344	1344	661
1345	1345	(ii) a copy of the recall application;
1346	1346	662
1347	1347	(iii) no more than 50 signature sheets; and
1348	1348	663
1349	1349	(iv) the verification form described in Subsection 20A-1-1104(3);
1350	1350	664
1351	1351	(c) shall number the recall packets sequentially, in accordance with the number range
1352	1352	665
1353	1353	described in Subsection 20A-1-1103(1)(d); and
1354	1354	666
1355	1355	(d) may not circulate or submit a recall packet that is not numbered in accordance with
1356	1356	667
1357	1357	Subsection (2)(c).
1358	1358	668
1359	1359	(3) A recall packet is not required to have a uniform number of signature sheets.
1360	1360	669
1361	1361	Section 9. Section 20A-1-1106 is enacted to read:
1362	1362	670
1363	1363	20A-1-1106 . Recall application and petition -- Required posting.
1364	1364	671
1365	1365	(1) On the day on which the county clerk complies with Subsection 20A-1-1103(1), the
1366	1366	672
1367	1367	county clerk shall post the following information together in a conspicuous place on the
1368	1368	673
1369	1369	county clerk's website:
1370	1370	674
1371	1371	(a) the recall petition;
1372	1372	675
1373	1373	(b) the recall application; and
1374	1374	676
1375	1375	(c) information describing how an individual may remove the individual's signature
1376	1376	677
1377	1377	from the recall petition.
1378	1378	- 20 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
1379	1379	678
1380	1380	(2) The county clerk shall maintain the information described in Subsection (1) on the
1381	1381	679
1382	1382	county clerk's website until:
1383	1383	680
1384	1384	(a) the day on which the county clerk declares the recall petition insufficient under
1385	1385	681
1386	1386	Section 20A-1-1108; or
1387	1387	682
1388	1388	(b) if the county clerk declares the recall petition sufficient under Section 20A-1-1108,
1389	1389	683
1390	1390	the day after the day on which the recall election results are canvassed.
1391	1391	684
1392	1392	Section 10. Section 20A-1-1107 is enacted to read:
1393	1393	685
1394	1394	20A-1-1107 . Signatures required for recall petition -- Removal of signatures.
1395	1395	686
1396	1396	(1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), the county clerk shall hold a recall election on the
1397	1397	687
1398	1398	election date described in Subsection (2) for voters to decide whether to remove the
1399	1399	688
1400	1400	mayor from office if, no later than the first business day that is at least 60 calendar days
1401	1401	689
1402	1402	after the day on which the recall sponsors file the recall application, the recall sponsors,
1403	1403	690
1404	1404	or the agents of the recall sponsors, submit to the county clerk recall packets containing
1405	1405	691
1406	1406	valid signatures of registered voters who reside in the municipality equal to 50% of the
1407	1407	692
1408	1408	number of registered voters who voted in the race for mayor at which the mayor was last
1409	1409	693
1410	1410	elected.
1411	1411	694
1412	1412	(2) The county clerk shall hold a recall election required under Subsection (1) on the first of
1413	1413	695
1414	1414	the following election dates that is at least 65 days after the day on which the county
1415	1415	696
1416	1416	clerk or a court declares the recall petition sufficient under Section 20A-1-1108:
1417	1417	697
1418	1418	(a) the date of the regular primary election;
1419	1419	698
1420	1420	(b) the date of the regular general election;
1421	1421	699
1422	1422	(c) the date of the municipal primary election; or
1423	1423	700
1424	1424	(d) the date of the municipal general election.
1425	1425	701
1426	1426	(3) The county clerk may not hold a recall election if the day on which the county clerk or a
1427	1427	702
1428	1428	court declares the recall petition sufficient under Section 20A-1-1108 is less than 65
1429	1429	703
1430	1430	calendar days before the date of the last municipal primary election before the term of
1431	1431	704
1432	1432	office of the mayor who is the subject of the recall petition ends.
1433	1433	705
1434	1434	(4)(a) A voter who signs a recall petition under Section 20A-1-1107 may have the
1435	1435	706
1436	1436	voter's signature removed from the recall petition by, no later than three business
1437	1437	707
1438	1438	days after the deadline described in Subsection 20A-1-1107(1), submitting to the
1439	1439	708
1440	1440	county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed.
1441	1441	709
1442	1442	(b) A statement described in Subsection (4)(a) shall comply with the requirements
1443	1443	710
1444	1444	described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(2).
1445	1445	711
1446	1446	(c) Using the procedures described in Subsection 20A-1-1003(3), the county clerk shall
1447	1447	- 21 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
1448	1448	712
1449	1449	determine whether to remove an individual's signature from a petition after receiving
1450	1450	713
1451	1451	a timely, valid statement requesting removal of the signature.
1452	1452	714
1453	1453	Section 11. Section 20A-1-1108 is enacted to read:
1454	1454	715
1455	1455	20A-1-1108 . Evaluation by county clerk.
1456	1456	716
1457	1457	(1) When the county clerk receives a recall packet from a recall sponsor or an agent of a
1458	1458	717
1459	1459	recall sponsor, the county clerk shall:
1460	1460	718
1461	1461	(a) record the number of the recall packet received;
1462	1462	719
1463	1463	(b) post the name, voter identification number, and date of signature of each individual
1464	1464	720
1465	1465	who signed the recall packet in a conspicuous location on the county clerk's website,
1466	1466	721
1467	1467	until the day after the deadline to remove signatures from the recall petition; and
1468	1468	722
1469	1469	(c) update on the county clerk's website the number of signatures received as of the date
1470	1470	723
1471	1471	of the update.
1472	1472	724
1473	1473	(2) The county clerk shall:
1474	1474	725
1475	1475	(a) each business day, update on the county clerk's website the number of signatures
1476	1476	726
1477	1477	certified as valid, minus the number of signatures removed from the recall petition;
1478	1478	727
1479	1479	and
1480	1480	728
1481	1481	(b) declare the recall petition to be sufficient or insufficient no later than 14 calendar
1482	1482	729
1483	1483	days after the day of the deadline described in Subsection 20A-1-1107(1).
1484	1484	730
1485	1485	(3)(a) If the total number of signatures certified under Subsection (2) equals or exceeds
1486	1486	731
1487	1487	the number of signatures required under Subsection 20A-1-1107(1), and the
1488	1488	732
1489	1489	requirements of this part are met, the lieutenant governor shall mark upon the front of
1490	1490	733
1491	1491	the recall petition the word "sufficient."
1492	1492	734
1493	1493	(b) If the total number of signatures certified under Subsection (2) does not equal or
1494	1494	735
1495	1495	exceed the number of signatures required under Subsection 20A-1-1107(1) or a
1496	1496	736
1497	1497	requirement of this part is not met, the lieutenant governor shall mark upon the front
1498	1498	737
1499	1499	of the recall petition the word "insufficient."
1500	1500	738
1501	1501	(c) The county clerk shall immediately notify any one of the recall petition sponsors of
1502	1502	739
1503	1503	the county clerk's finding.
1504	1504	740
1505	1505	(d) After a recall petition is declared insufficient, a person may not submit additional
1506	1506	741
1507	1507	signatures to qualify the recall election for the ballot.
1508	1508	742
1509	1509	(4)(a) If the county clerk refuses to declare a recall petition sufficient that a registered
1510	1510	743
1511	1511	voter of the municipality believes is legally sufficient, the registered voter may, no
1512	1512	744
1513	1513	later than 10 days after the day on which the county clerk declares the petition
1514	1514	745
1515	1515	insufficient, apply to a court with jurisdiction for an order finding the recall petition
1516	1516	- 22 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
1517	1517	746
1518	1518	legally sufficient.
1519	1519	747
1520	1520	(b) If the court determines that the recall petition is legally sufficient, the county clerk
1521	1521	748
1522	1522	shall mark the recall petition "sufficient" and consider the declaration of sufficiency
1523	1523	749
1524	1524	effective on the day on which the court makes the determination.
1525	1525	750
1526	1526	(c) If the court determines that a recall petition is not legally sufficient, the court may
1527	1527	751
1528	1528	enjoin the county clerk and all other officers from certifying or printing the recall
1529	1529	752
1530	1530	election on the official ballot.
1531	1531	753
1532	1532	Section 12. Section 20A-1-1109 is enacted to read:
1533	1533	754
1534	1534	20A-1-1109 . Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.
1535	1535	755
1536	1536	(1) For a recall election held in accordance with this part, the county clerk and the election
1537	1537	756
1538	1538	officer for the municipality shall ensure that:
1539	1539	757
1540	1540	(a) the question appears on the ballot as follows:
1541	1541	758
1542	1542	"Shall (name of mayor) remain the mayor of (name of municipality) for the
1543	1543	759
1544	1544	remainder of the term to which the mayor was elected?"; and
1545	1545	760
1546	1546	(b) immediately adjacent to the question described in Subsection (1)(a), the words "Yes"
1547	1547	761
1548	1548	and "No," each word presented with an adjacent space in which a voter may indicate
1549	1549	762
1550	1550	the voter's vote.
1551	1551	763
1552	1552	(2)(a) A voter desiring to vote in favor of the mayor remaining in office for the
1553	1553	764
1554	1554	remainder of the mayor's term shall mark the space adjacent to the word "Yes."
1555	1555	765
1556	1556	(b) A voter desiring to vote against the mayor remaining in office for the remainder of
1557	1557	766
1558	1558	the mayor's term shall mark the space adjacent to the word "No."
1559	1559	767
1560	1560	(3)(a) If the majority of voters voting in the recall election vote "No":
1561	1561	768
1562	1562	(i) the mayor is removed from office, and office of mayor becomes vacant, upon the
1563	1563	769
1564	1564	completion of the canvass for the election; and
1565	1565	770
1566	1566	(ii) the vacancy will be filled in accordance with Section 20A-1-510, except that the
1567	1567	771
1568	1568	vacancy may not be filled by the individual whose removal from office resulted in
1569	1569	772
1570	1570	the vacancy.
1571	1571	773
1572	1572	(b) If a majority of the voters voting on the recall election vote "Yes," or the number of
1573	1573	774
1574	1574	voters who vote "Yes" is equal to the number of voters who vote "No," the mayor is
1575	1575	775
1576	1576	not removed from office.
1577	1577	776
1578	1578	Section 13. Section 20A-1-1110 is enacted to read:
1579	1579	777
1580	1580	20A-1-1110 . Misconduct of electors and others.
1581	1581	778
1582	1582	(1) It is unlawful for a person to:
1583	1583	779
1584	1584	(a) sign any name other than the person's own on a recall petition;
1585	1585	- 23 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
1586	1586	780
1587	1587	(b) knowingly sign the person's name more than once for the same recall petition at one
1588	1588	781
1589	1589	election;
1590	1590	782
1591	1591	(c) knowingly indicate that a person who signed a recall petition signed the recall
1592	1592	783
1593	1593	petition on a date other than the date that the person signed the recall petition; or
1594	1594	784
1595	1595	(d) sign a recall petition knowing the person is not a legal voter.
1596	1596	785
1597	1597	(2) It is unlawful for a person to sign the verification for a recall packet knowing that:
1598	1598	786
1599	1599	(a) the signature date associated with the person's signature for the recall petition is not
1600	1600	787
1601	1601	the date that the person signed the recall petition;
1602	1602	788
1603	1603	(b) the person has not witnessed the signatures of those persons whose signatures the
1604	1604	789
1605	1605	person collects or submits; or
1606	1606	790
1607	1607	(c) one or more individuals who sign the recall petition are not:
1608	1608	791
1609	1609	(i) registered to vote in Utah; or
1610	1610	792
1611	1611	(ii) eligible to vote in the recall election.
1612	1612	793
1613	1613	(3) It is unlawful for a person to:
1614	1614	794
1615	1615	(a) pay a person to sign a recall petition;
1616	1616	795
1617	1617	(b) pay a person to remove the person's signature from a recall petition;
1618	1618	796
1619	1619	(c) accept payment to sign a recall petition;
1620	1620	797
1621	1621	(d) accept payment to have the person's name removed from a recall petition; or
1622	1622	798
1623	1623	(e) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or enter
1624	1624	799
1625	1625	any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section 20A-7-106, if
1626	1626	800
1627	1627	the person:
1628	1628	801
1629	1629	(i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter;
1630	1630	802
1631	1631	(ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give
1632	1632	803
1633	1633	the voter's direction or consent;
1634	1634	804
1635	1635	(iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose
1636	1636	805
1637	1637	or nature of the action taken by the person on behalf of the voter;
1638	1638	806
1639	1639	(iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or
1640	1640	807
1641	1641	consent of the voter; or
1642	1642	808
1643	1643	(v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or
1644	1644	809
1645	1645	statement.
1646	1646	810
1647	1647	(4) A violation of this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
1648	1648	811
1649	1649	Section 14. Section 20A-6-305 is amended to read:
1650	1650	812
1651	1651	20A-6-305 . Master ballot position list -- Random selection -- Procedures --
1652	1652	813
1653	1653	Publication -- Surname -- Exemptions -- Ballot order.
1654	1654	- 24 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
1655	1655	814
1656	1656	(1) As used in this section, "master ballot position list" means an official list of the 26
1657	1657	815
1658	1658	characters in the alphabet listed in random order and numbered from one to 26 as
1659	1659	816
1660	1660	provided under Subsection (2).
1661	1661	817
1662	1662	(2) The lieutenant governor shall:
1663	1663	818
1664	1664	(a) within 30 days after the candidate filing deadline in each even-numbered year,
1665	1665	819
1666	1666	conduct a random selection to create a master ballot position list for all elections in
1667	1667	820
1668	1668	accordance with procedures established under Subsection (2)(c);
1669	1669	821
1670	1670	(b) publish the master ballot position list on the lieutenant governor's election website no
1671	1671	822
1672	1672	later than 15 days after creating the list; and
1673	1673	823
1674	1674	(c) establish written procedures for:
1675	1675	824
1676	1676	(i) the election official to use the master ballot position list; and
1677	1677	825
1678	1678	(ii) the lieutenant governor in:
1679	1679	826
1680	1680	(A) conducting the random selection in a fair manner; and
1681	1681	827
1682	1682	(B) providing a record of the random selection process used.
1683	1683	828
1684	1684	(3) In accordance with the written procedures established under Subsection (2)(c)(i), an
1685	1685	829
1686	1686	election officer shall use the master ballot position list for the current year to determine
1687	1687	830
1688	1688	the order in which to list candidates on the ballot for an election held during the year.
1689	1689	831
1690	1690	(4) To determine the order in which to list candidates on the ballot required under
1691	1691	832
1692	1692	Subsection (3), the election officer shall apply the randomized alphabet using:
1693	1693	833
1694	1694	(a) the candidate's surname;
1695	1695	834
1696	1696	(b) for candidates with a surname that has the same spelling, the candidate's given name;
1697	1697	835
1698	1698	and
1699	1699	836
1700	1700	(c) the surname of the president and the surname of the governor for an election for the
1701	1701	837
1702	1702	offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant governor.
1703	1703	838
1704	1704	(5) Subsections (1) through (4) do not apply to:
1705	1705	839
1706	1706	(a) an election for an office for which only one candidate is listed on the ballot; or
1707	1707	840
1708	1708	(b) a judicial retention election under Section 20A-12-201.
1709	1709	841
1710	1710	(6) Subject to Subsection (7), each ticket that appears on a ballot for an election shall
1711	1711	842
1712	1712	appear separately, in the following order:
1713	1713	843
1714	1714	(a) for federal office:
1715	1715	844
1716	1716	(i) president and vice president of the United States;
1717	1717	845
1718	1718	(ii) United States Senate office; and
1719	1719	846
1720	1720	(iii) United States House of Representatives office;
1721	1721	847
1722	1722	(b) for state office:
1723	1723	- 25 - H.B. 291 01-21 09:48
1724	1724	848
1725	1725	(i) governor and lieutenant governor;
1726	1726	849
1727	1727	(ii) attorney general;
1728	1728	850
1729	1729	(iii) state auditor;
1730	1730	851
1731	1731	(iv) state treasurer;
1732	1732	852
1733	1733	(v) state Senate office;
1734	1734	853
1735	1735	(vi) state House of Representatives office; and
1736	1736	854
1737	1737	(vii) State Board of Education member;
1738	1738	855
1739	1739	(c) for county office:
1740	1740	856
1741	1741	(i) county executive office;
1742	1742	857
1743	1743	(ii) county legislative body member;
1744	1744	858
1745	1745	(iii) county assessor;
1746	1746	859
1747	1747	(iv) county or district attorney;
1748	1748	860
1749	1749	(v) county auditor;
1750	1750	861
1751	1751	(vi) county clerk;
1752	1752	862
1753	1753	(vii) county recorder;
1754	1754	863
1755	1755	(viii) county sheriff;
1756	1756	864
1757	1757	(ix) county surveyor;
1758	1758	865
1759	1759	(x) county treasurer; and
1760	1760	866
1761	1761	(xi) local school board member;
1762	1762	867
1763	1763	(d) a recall election for a mayor, as described in Chapter 1, Part 11, Recall Election for
1764	1764	868
1765	1765	Mayor;
1766	1766	869
1767	1767	[(d)] (e) for municipal office:
1768	1768	870
1769	1769	(i) mayor; and
1770	1770	871
1771	1771	(ii) city or town council member;
1772	1772	872
1773	1773	[(e)] (f) elected planning and service district council member;
1774	1774	873
1775	1775	[(f)] (g) judicial retention questions; and
1776	1776	874
1777	1777	[(g)] (h) ballot propositions not described in Subsection [(6)(f)] (6)(g).
1778	1778	875
1779	1779	(7)(a) A ticket for a race for a combined office shall appear on the ballot in the place of
1780	1780	876
1781	1781	the earliest ballot ticket position that is reserved for an office that is subsumed in the
1782	1782	877
1783	1783	combined office.
1784	1784	878
1785	1785	(b) Each ticket, other than a ticket described in Subsection [(6)(f)] (6)(g), shall list:
1786	1786	879
1787	1787	(i) each candidate in accordance with Subsections (1) through (4); and
1788	1788	880
1789	1789	(ii) except as otherwise provided in this title, the party name, initials, or title
1790	1790	881
1791	1791	following each candidate's name.
1792	1792	- 26 - 01-21 09:48 H.B. 291
1793	1793	882
1794	1794	Section 15. Effective Date.
1795	1795	883
1796	1796	This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
1797	1797	- 27 -