For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

Local Initiatives - Procedures

Utah Code tit. 20A, ch. 20A-7, pt. 20A-7-P5
in effect

Utah Code § 20A-7-501 Initiatives -- Signature requirements -- Time requirements.

20A-7-501. Initiatives -- Signature requirements -- Time requirements. (1) As used in this section: (a) "Number of active voters" means the number of active voters in the county, city, or town on the immediately preceding January 1. (b) "Voter participation area" means an area described in Subsection 20A-7-401.3(1)(a) or (2)(b). (2) An eligible voter seeking to have an initiative submitted to a local legislative body or to a vote of the people for approval or rejection shall, after filing an initiative application, obtain legal signatures equal to: (a) for a county of the first class: (i) 7.75% of the number of active voters in the county; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 7.75% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the county's voter participation areas; (b) for a city of the first class: (i) 7.5% of the number of active voters in the city; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 7.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the city's voter participation areas; (c) for a county of the second class: (i) 8% of the number of active voters in the county; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 8% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the county's voter participation areas; (d) for a city of the second class: (i) 8.25% of the number of active voters in the city; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 8.25% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the city's voter participation areas; (e) for a county of the third class: (i) 9.5% of the number of active voters in the county; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 9.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the county's voter participation areas; (f) for a city of the third class: (i) 10% of the number of active voters in the city; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 10% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the city's voter participation areas; (g) for a county of the fourth class: (i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the county; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the county's voter participation areas; (h) for a city of the fourth class: (i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the city; and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the city's voter participation areas; (i) for a city of the fifth class or a county of the fifth class, 25% of the number of active voters in the city or county; or (j) for a town or a county of the sixth class, 35% of the number of active voters in the town or county. (3) If the total number of certified signatures collected for the initiative petition equals or exceeds the number of signatures required by this section, the clerk or recorder shall deliver the proposed law to the local legislative body at the local legislative body's next meeting. (4) (a) The local legislative body shall either adopt or reject the proposed law without change or amendment within 30 calendar days after the day on which the local legislative body receives the proposed law under Subsection (3). (b) The local legislative body may: (i) adopt the proposed law and refer the proposed law to the people; (ii) adopt the proposed law without referring the proposed law to the people; or (iii) reject the proposed law. (c) If the local legislative body adopts the proposed law but does not refer the proposed law to the people, the proposed law is subject to referendum as with other local laws. (d) (i) If a county legislative body rejects a proposed law, or takes no action on a proposed law, the county clerk shall submit the proposed law to the voters of the county at the next regular general election immediately after the initiative application for the proposed law is filed under Section 20A-7-502. (ii) If a local legislative body of a municipality rejects a proposed law, or takes no action on a proposed law, the municipal recorder or clerk shall submit the proposed law to the voters of the municipality at the next municipal general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under Section 20A-7-502. (e) (i) If a local legislative body rejects a proposed law, or takes no action on a proposed law, the local legislative body may adopt a competing local law. (ii) The local legislative body shall prepare and adopt the competing local law within the 30-calendar-day period described in Subsection (4)(a). (iii) If a local legislative body adopts a competing local law, the clerk or recorder shall refer the competing local law to the voters of the county or municipality at the same election at which the law proposed by initiative is submitted under Subsection (4)(d). (f) If conflicting local laws are submitted to the people at the same election and two or more of the conflicting measures are approved by the people, the proposed law that receives the greatest number of affirmative votes shall control all conflicts. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-502 Local initiative process -- Application procedures.

20A-7-502. Local initiative process -- Application procedures. (1) Individuals wishing to circulate an initiative petition shall file an initiative application with the local clerk. (2) The initiative application shall include: (a) the name and residence address of at least five sponsors of the initiative petition; (b) a statement indicating that each of the sponsors is registered to vote in Utah; (c) a statement designating a sponsor liaison, including the sponsor liaison's name, residence address, telephone number, and email address; (d) the signature of each of the sponsors, acknowledged by a notary public; (e) a copy of the proposed law that includes: (i) the title of the proposed law that clearly expresses the subject of the law; (ii) a description of all proposed sources of funding for the costs associated with the proposed law, including the proposed percentage of total funding from each source; and (iii) the text of the proposed law; (f) if the initiative petition proposes a tax increase, the following statement, "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent increase in the current tax rate."; and (g) a statement indicating whether persons gathering signatures for the initiative petition may be paid for gathering signatures. (3) A proposed law submitted under this section may not contain more than one subject to the same extent that a bill may not pass containing more than one subject as provided in Utah Constitution, Article VI, Section 22. Amended by Chapter 293, 2026 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-502.5 Initial fiscal and legal impact statement -- Preparation of statement.

20A-7-502.5. Initial fiscal and legal impact statement -- Preparation of statement. (1) Within three business days after the day on which the local clerk receives an initiative application, the local clerk shall submit a copy of the initiative application to the county, city, or town's budget officer. (2) (a) The budget officer, together with legal counsel, shall prepare an unbiased, good faith initial fiscal and legal impact statement for the proposed law that contains: (i) a dollar amount representing the total estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law; (ii) if the proposed law would increase or decrease taxes, a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease for each type of tax affected under the proposed law and a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease in taxes under the proposed law; (iii) if the proposed law would increase taxes, the tax percentage difference and the tax percentage increase; (iv) if the proposed law would result in the issuance or a change in the status of bonds, notes, or other debt instruments, a dollar amount representing the total estimated increase or decrease in public debt under the proposed law; (v) a listing of all sources of funding for the estimated costs associated with the proposed law showing each source of funding and the percentage of total funding provided from each source; (vi) a dollar amount representing the estimated costs or savings, if any, to state and local government entities under the proposed law; (vii) the proposed law's legal impact, including: (A) any significant effects on a person's vested property rights; (B) any significant effects on other laws or ordinances; (C) any significant legal liability the city, county, or town may incur; and (D) any other significant legal impact as determined by the budget officer and the legal counsel; and (viii) a concise explanation, not exceeding 100 words, of the information described in this Subsection (2)(a) and of the estimated fiscal impact, if any, under the proposed law. (b) (i) If the proposed law is estimated to have no fiscal impact, the local budget officer shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact and legal statement in substantially the following form: "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that the law proposed by this initiative would have no significant fiscal impact and would not result in either an increase or decrease in taxes or debt." (ii) If the proposed law is estimated to have a fiscal impact, the local budget officer shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact and legal statement in substantially the following form: "The (title of the local budget officer) estimates that the law proposed by this initiative would result in a total fiscal expense/savings of $______, which includes a (type of tax or taxes) tax increase/decrease of $______ and a $______ increase/decrease in public debt." (iii) If the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed law is highly variable or is otherwise difficult to reasonably express in a summary statement, the local budget officer may include in the summary statement a brief explanation that identifies those factors affecting the variability or difficulty of the estimate. (iv) If the proposed law would increase taxes, the local budget officer shall include a summary statement in the initial fiscal impact and legal statement in substantially the following form: "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent increase in the current tax rate." (3) The budget officer shall prepare an unbiased, good faith estimate of the cost of printing and distributing information related to the initiative petition in the voter information pamphlet as required by Section 20A-7-402. (4) Within 20 calendar days after the day on which the local clerk submits a copy of the proposed law under Subsection (1), the budget officer shall: (a) send a copy of the initial fiscal impact and legal statement to the local clerk's office; and (b) send a copy of the initial fiscal impact and legal statement to the first three sponsors named in the initiative application. Amended by Chapter 442, 2024 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-502.6 Posting initiative information.

20A-7-502.6. Posting initiative information. (1) Within one business day after the day on which the local clerk's office receives the initial fiscal impact and legal statement under Subsection 20A-7-502.5(4)(a), the local clerk shall post the following information together in a conspicuous place on the local clerk's website: (a) the initiative application; (b) the initiative petition; (c) the text of the proposed law; (d) the initial fiscal impact and legal statement; and (e) information describing how an individual may remove the individual's signature from the initiative petition. (2) The local clerk shall: (a) promptly update the information described in Subsection (1) if the information changes; and (b) maintain the information described in Subsection (1) on the local clerk's website until the initiative fails to qualify for the ballot or is passed or defeated at an election. Amended by Chapter 107, 2023 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-502.7 Referability to voters.

20A-7-502.7. Referability to voters. (1) Within 20 calendar days after the day on which an eligible voter files an initiative application under Section 20A-7-502, counsel for the county, city, or town to which the initiative pertains shall: (a) review the proposed law that is the subject of the initiative application to determine whether the law is legally referable to voters; and (b) notify the first three sponsors, in writing, whether the proposed law is: (i) legally referable to voters; or (ii) rejected as not legally referable to voters. (2) A proposed law that is the subject of an initiative application is legally referable to voters unless: (a) the proposed law: (i) is patently unconstitutional; (ii) is nonsensical; (iii) is administrative, rather than legislative, in nature; (iv) could not become law if passed; or (v) contains more than one subject as evaluated in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-502(3); (b) is identical or substantially similar to a legally referable proposed law sought by an initiative application submitted to the local clerk, under Section 20A-7-502, within two years before the day on which the initiative application for the current proposed law is filed; (c) the subject of the proposed law is not clearly expressed in the law's title; or (d) the initiative application was not timely filed or does not comply with the requirements of this part. (3) After the end of the 20-calendar-day period described in Subsection (1), a county, city, or town may not: (a) reject a proposed initiative as not legally referable to voters; or (b) bring a legal action, other than to appeal a court decision, challenging a proposed initiative on the grounds that the proposed initiative is not legally referable to voters. (4) If a county, city, or town rejects a proposed initiative, a sponsor of the proposed initiative may, within 10 days after the day on which a sponsor is notified under Subsection (1)(b), appeal the decision to: (a) district court; or (b) the Supreme Court, if the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over the appeal. (5) If, on appeal, the court determines that the law proposed by the initiative application is legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall comply with Subsection 20A-7-504(3), or give the sponsors access to the website defined in Section 20A-21-101, within five calendar days after the day on which the determination, and any appeal of the determination, is final. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-503 Manual initiative process -- Form of initiative petition and signature sheet.

20A-7-503. Manual initiative process -- Form of initiative petition and signature sheet. (1) This section applies only to the manual initiative process. (2) (a) Each proposed initiative petition shall be printed in substantially the following form: "INITIATIVE PETITION To the Honorable ____, County Clerk/City Recorder/Town Clerk: We, the undersigned citizens of Utah, respectfully demand that the proposed law described in this initiative petition be submitted to: the legislative body for its approval or rejection at its next meeting; and the legal voters of the county/city/town, if the legislative body rejects the proposed law or takes no action on it. Each signer says: I have personally signed this initiative petition or, if I am an individual with a qualifying disability, I have signed this initiative petition by directing the signature gatherer to enter the initials "AV" as my signature; The date next to my signature correctly reflects the date that I actually signed the petition; I personally had an opportunity to read the entire statement included with this initiative packet; I am registered to vote in Utah; and My residence and post office address are written correctly after my name. WARNING TO SIGNERS WITH PRIVATE VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS If you sign this petition, your voter identification number and the date you signed may be publicly disclosed. This disclosure may occur even if you are an at-risk voter with a voter registration record that has been classified as a private record." (b) The following statement shall appear, in at least 14-point, bold type, immediately following the information described in Subsection (2)(a), if the initiative petition proposes a tax increase: "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent increase in the current tax rate.". (c) The following statement shall appear, in at least 14-point, bold type, immediately following the information described in Subsection (2)(a), if: (i) the initiative proposes a law other than a tax increase; and (ii) the initiative petition is part of a condensed initiative packet. "This initiative seeks to (the sponsors shall provide a brief, plain-language description of the principal provisions of the proposed law, not to exceed 50 words, that is understandable to the average reader).". (3) Each initiative signature sheet shall: (a) be printed on sheets of paper 8.5 inches long and 11 inches wide; (b) be ruled with a horizontal line .75 inches from the top, with the space above that line blank for the purpose of binding; (c) include the title of the initiative printed below the horizontal line, in at least 14-point, bold type; (d) if the signature sheet is part of a condensed initiative packet: (i) contain a printed QR code at the top of the signature sheet, in a location above the columns described in Subsection (3)(e); (ii) ensure that the QR code links directly to the web page on the local clerk's website described in Section 20A-7-502.6; and (iii) include the following statement adjacent to the QR code in not less than 8-point, bold type: "This QR code provides access to a website that includes the full text of the law proposed by this initiative petition."; (e) be vertically divided into columns immediately below the title of the initiative, as follows: (i) the first column shall begin .5 inch from the left side of the paper, be .25 inch wide, and be headed, together with the second column, "For Office Use Only"; (ii) the second column shall be .25 inch wide; (iii) the third column shall be 2.5 inches wide, headed "Registered Voter's Printed Name (must be legible to be counted)"; (iv) the fourth column shall be 2.5 inches wide, headed "Signature of Registered Voter"; (v) the fifth column shall be .75 inch wide, headed "Date Signed"; (vi) the sixth column shall be three inches wide, headed "Street Address, City, Zip Code"; and (vii) the seventh column shall be .75 inch wide, headed "Birth Date or Age (Optional)"; and (f) be horizontally divided into rows as follows: (i) the first row shall be .5 inch high for purposes of a registered voter's entry of the information described in Subsection (3)(e); and (ii) the second row shall span the width of each column described in Subsection (3)(e) and contain the following statement in 12-point type: "By signing this initiative petition, you are stating that you had an opportunity to read and understand the law proposed by this initiative petition.". (4) The columns and rows described in Subsections (3)(e) and (f) shall be repeated, leaving sufficient room at the bottom of the sheet for the information described in Subsection (5). (5) The bottom of the signature sheet shall include, in the following order: (a) the words "Fiscal and legal impact of" followed by the title of the initiative, in at least 12-point, bold type; (b) the summary statement in the initial fiscal impact and legal statement issued by the budget officer in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-502.5(2)(b) and the cost estimate for printing and distributing information related to the initiative petition in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-502.5(3), in not less than 12-point, bold type; (c) if the initiative proposes a tax increase, the following statement in 12-point, bold type: "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent increase in the current tax rate."; (d) if the signature sheet is part of a condensed initiative packet, the following statement in 12-point, bold type: "This initiative seeks to (the sponsors shall provide a brief, plain-language description of the principal provisions of the proposed law, not to exceed 50 words, that is understandable to the average reader)."; and (e) the word "Warning," in 12-point, bold type, followed by the following statement in not less than eight-point type: "It is a class A misdemeanor to sign an initiative petition using a name other than your own name, to sign more than once, or to sign if you are not a registered voter. Providing your birth date or age is optional, but it may be used to verify your identity. If you do not provide it, your signature may not be validated if your address changes or if the information you provide does not match your voter registration record." (6) The final page of each initiative packet shall contain the circulator verification sheet described in Subsection 20A-1-1004(1). (7) If the forms described in this section are substantially followed, the initiative petitions are sufficient, notwithstanding clerical and merely technical errors. Amended by Chapter 102, 2026 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-504 Manual initiative process -- Circulation requirements -- Local clerk to provide sponsors with materials.

20A-7-504. Manual initiative process -- Circulation requirements -- Local clerk to provide sponsors with materials. (1) This section applies only to the manual initiative process. (2) (a) In order to obtain the necessary number of signatures required by this part, the sponsors or an agent of the sponsors shall, after the sponsors receive the documents described in Subsections (3) and 20A-7-401.5(4)(b), circulate initiative packets that meet the form requirements of this part. (b) The sponsors or an agent of the sponsors may circulate initiative packets using traditional initiative packets, condensed initiative packets, or both. (3) Within five calendar days after the day on which a county, city, town, or court determines, in accordance with Section 20A-7-502.7, that a law proposed in an initiative petition is legally referable to voters, the local clerk shall provide to the sponsors: (a) a copy of the initiative petition; (b) a signature sheet; and (c) a copy of the proposition information pamphlet provided to the sponsors under Subsection 20A-7-401.5(4)(b). (4) The sponsors of the initiative shall: (a) arrange and pay for the printing of all documents that are part of the initiative packets; and (b) ensure that the initiative packets and the documents described in Subsection (4)(a) meet the requirements of this part. (5) (a) The sponsors or an agent of the sponsors may prepare the initiative packets for circulation by creating multiple initiative packets. (b) The sponsors or an agent of the sponsors shall create initiative packets by: (i) binding the components of each initiative packet together at the top in a manner that secures all components of the initiative packet together; (ii) arranging the components in the following order: (A) a copy of the initiative petition; (B) if the initiative packet is a traditional initiative packet, a copy of the law proposed by the initiative petition; (C) the signature sheets; and (D) the circulator verification sheet described in Subsection 20A-1-1004(1); (iii) including no more than 50 signature sheets in each initiative packet; and (iv) binding the initiative packet in a manner that allows the initiative packet to be conveniently opened for signing. (c) An initiative packet is not required to have a uniform number of signature sheets. (d) The sponsors or an agent of the sponsors shall include, with each initiative packet, a copy of the proposition information pamphlet provided to the sponsors under Subsection 20A-7-401.5(4)(b). (6) (a) The sponsors or an agent of the sponsors shall, before gathering signatures: (i) ensure that the sponsors or any agent of the sponsors who gathers signatures have completed the online training course described in Section 20A-1-1005; (ii) contact the county clerk to receive a range of numbers that the sponsors may use to number initiative packets; (iii) sign an agreement with the local clerk, specifying: (A) whether the sponsors or an agent of the sponsors will circulate initiative packets using traditional initiative packets, condensed initiative packets, or both; and (B) the range of numbers that the sponsor will use to number the referendum packets; and (iv) number each initiative packet, sequentially, within the range of numbers provided by the county clerk, starting with the lowest number in the range. (b) The sponsors or an agent of the sponsors may not: (i) number an initiative packet in a manner not directed by the county clerk; or (ii) circulate or submit an initiative packet that is not numbered in the manner directed by the county clerk. (c) The county clerk shall keep a record of the number range provided under Subsection (6)(a). Amended by Chapter 293, 2026 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-507 Evaluation by the local clerk.

20A-7-507. Evaluation by the local clerk. (1) In relation to the manual initiative process, when a local clerk receives an initiative packet from a county clerk, the local clerk shall record the number of the initiative packet received. (2) The county clerk shall: (a) in relation to the manual initiative process: (i) post the names, voter identification numbers, and dates of signatures described in Subsection 20A-7-105(6)(a)(iii) on the lieutenant governor's website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor, for at least 90 calendar days; and (ii) update on the local government's website the number of signatures certified as of the date of the update; or (b) in relation to the electronic initiative process: (i) post the names, voter identification numbers, and dates of signatures described in Subsection 20A-7-516(4) on the lieutenant governor's website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor, for at least 90 calendar days; and (ii) update on the local government's website the number of signatures certified as of the date of the update. (3) The local clerk: (a) shall, except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), declare the initiative petition to be sufficient or insufficient: (i) in relation to the manual initiative process, no later than 21 calendar days after the day of the applicable deadline described in Subsection 20A-7-105(5)(a)(iii); or (ii) in relation to the electronic initiative process, no later than 21 calendar days after the day of the applicable deadline described in Subsection 20A-7-516(2); or (b) may declare the initiative petition to be insufficient before the day described in Subsection (3)(a) if: (i) in relation to the manual initiative process, the total of all valid signatures on timely and lawfully submitted initiative packets that have been certified by the county clerks, plus the number of signatures on timely and lawfully submitted initiative packets that have not yet been evaluated for certification, is less than the number of names required under Section 20A-7-501; (ii) in relation to the electronic initiative process, the total of all timely and lawfully submitted valid signatures that have been certified by the county clerks, plus the number of timely and lawfully submitted valid signatures received under Subsection 20A-21-201(6)(b) that have not yet been evaluated for certification, is less than the number of names required under Section 20A-7-501; or (iii) a requirement of this part has not been met. (4) (a) If the total number of names certified under Subsection (3) equals or exceeds the number of names required by Section 20A-7-501 and the requirements of this part are met, the local clerk shall mark upon the front of the initiative petition the word "sufficient." (b) If the total number of names certified under Subsection (3) does not equal or exceed the number of names required by Section 20A-7-501 or a requirement of this part is not met, the local clerk shall mark upon the front of the initiative petition the word "insufficient." (c) The local clerk shall immediately notify any one of the sponsors of the local clerk's finding. (d) After an initiative petition is declared insufficient, a person may not submit additional signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot. (5) If the local clerk finds the total number of certified signatures for the initiative petition to be insufficient, any sponsor may file a written demand with the local clerk for a recount of the signatures collected for the initiative petition in the presence of any sponsor. (6) An initiative petition determined to be sufficient in accordance with this section is qualified for the ballot. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-508 Short title and summary of initiative -- Duties of local clerk and local attorney.

20A-7-508. Short title and summary of initiative -- Duties of local clerk and local attorney. (1) Upon receipt of an initiative petition, the local clerk shall deliver a copy of the initiative petition and the proposed law to the local attorney. (2) The local attorney shall: (a) entitle each county or municipal initiative that has qualified for the ballot "Proposition Number __" and give it a number as assigned under Section 20A-6-107; (b) prepare for each initiative: (i) an impartial short title, not exceeding 25 words, that generally describes the subject of the initiative; and (ii) an impartial summary of the contents of the initiative, not exceeding 125 words; (c) file the proposed short title, summary, and the numbered initiative titles with the local clerk within 20 calendar days after the day on which an eligible voter submits the initiative petition to the local clerk; and (d) promptly provide notice of the filing of the proposed short title and summary to: (i) the sponsors of the initiative; and (ii) the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative petition was circulated. (3) (a) The short title and summary may be distinct from the title of the proposed law. (b) In preparing a short title, the local attorney shall, to the best of the local attorney's ability, give a true and impartial description of the subject of the initiative. (c) In preparing a summary, the local attorney shall, to the best of the local attorney's ability, give a true and impartial summary of the contents of the initiative. (d) The short title and summary may not intentionally be an argument, or likely to create prejudice, for or against the initiative. (e) If the initiative proposes a tax increase, the local attorney shall include the following statement, in bold, in the summary: "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent increase in the current tax rate.". (4) (a) Within five calendar days after the date the local attorney files a proposed short title and summary under Subsection (2)(c), the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative petition was circulated and the sponsors of the initiative may file written comments in response to the proposed short title and summary with the local clerk. (b) Within five calendar days after the last date to submit written comments under Subsection (4)(a), the local attorney shall: (i) review any written comments filed in accordance with Subsection (4)(a); (ii) prepare a final short title and summary that meets the requirements of Subsection (3); and (iii) return the initiative petition and file the short title and summary with the local clerk. (c) Subject to Subsection (6), for each county or municipal initiative, the following shall be printed on the official ballot: (i) the short title; and (ii) except as provided in Subsection (4)(d): (A) the summary; (B) a copy of the proposed law; and (C) a link to a location on the election officer's website where a voter may review additional information relating to each initiative, including the information described in Subsection 20A-7-502(2), the initial fiscal impact and legal statement described in Section 20A-7-502.5, as updated, and the arguments relating to the initiative that are included in the local voter information pamphlet. (d) Unless the information described in Subsection (4)(c)(ii) is printed on the official ballot, the election officer shall include with the ballot a separate ballot proposition insert that includes the short title and summary for each initiative on the ballot and a link to a location on the election officer's website where a voter may review the additional information described in Subsection (4)(c)(ii)(C). (e) Unless the information described in Subsection (4)(c)(ii) for all initiatives on the ballot, and the information described in Subsection 20A-7-608(4)(c)(ii) for all referenda on the ballot, is printed on the ballot, the ballot shall include the following statement at the beginning of the portion of the ballot that includes ballot measures: "The ballot proposition sheet included with this ballot contains an impartial summary of each initiative and referendum on this ballot, unless the summary is printed directly on the ballot.". (5) Immediately after the local attorney files a copy of the short title and summary with the local clerk, the local clerk shall send a copy of the short title and summary to the sponsors of the initiative and the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative petition was circulated. (6) (a) If the short title or summary furnished by the local attorney is unsatisfactory or does not comply with the requirements of this section, the decision of the local attorney may be appealed to the appropriate court by: (i) at least three sponsors of the initiative; or (ii) a majority of the local legislative body for the jurisdiction where the initiative petition was circulated. (b) The court: (i) shall examine the short title and summary and consider arguments; and (ii) enter an order consistent with the requirements of this section. (c) The local clerk shall include the short title and summary in the ballot or ballot proposition insert, as required by this section. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-509 Form of ballot -- Manner of voting.

20A-7-509. Form of ballot -- Manner of voting. (1) The local clerk shall ensure that the number and ballot title are presented upon the official ballot with, immediately adjacent to them, the words "For" and "Against," each word presented with an adjacent square in which the voter may indicate the voter's vote. (2) Voters desiring to vote in favor of enacting the law proposed by the initiative petition shall mark the square adjacent to the word "For," and voters desiring to vote against enacting the law proposed by the initiative petition shall mark the square adjacent to the word "Against." Amended by Chapter 203, 2019 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-510 Return and canvass -- Conflicting measures -- Law effective on proclamation.

20A-7-510. Return and canvass -- Conflicting measures -- Law effective on proclamation. (1) The votes on the law proposed by the initiative petition shall be counted, canvassed, and delivered as provided in Chapter 4, Part 3, Canvassing Returns. (2) After the local board of canvassers completes the canvass, the local clerk shall certify to the local legislative body the vote for and against the law proposed by the initiative petition. (3) (a) The local legislative body shall immediately issue a proclamation that: (i) gives the total number of votes cast in the local jurisdiction for and against each law proposed by an initiative petition; and (ii) declares those laws proposed by an initiative petition that are approved by majority vote to be in full force and effect as the law of the local jurisdiction. (b) When the local legislative body determines that two proposed laws, or that parts of two proposed laws approved by the people at the same election are entirely in conflict, the local legislative body shall proclaim as law the initiative that received the greatest number of affirmative votes, regardless of the difference in the majorities which those initiatives have received. (c) (i) Within 10 days after the day on which the local legislative body issues the proclamation, any qualified voter who signed the initiative petition proposing the law that is declared by the local legislative body to be superseded by another initiative approved at the same election may bring an action in the appropriate court to review the decision. (ii) The court shall: (A) consider the matter and decide whether the proposed laws are entirely in conflict; and (B) issue an order, consistent with the court's decision, to the local legislative body. (4) Within 10 calendar days after the day on which the court enters an order under Subsection (3)(c)(ii), the local legislative body shall: (a) proclaim as law all initiatives approved by the people that the court determines are not in conflict; and (b) for the initiatives approved by the people as law that the court determines to be in conflict, proclaim as law the initiative that received the greatest number of affirmative votes, regardless of the difference in majorities. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-511 Effective date.

20A-7-511. Effective date. (1) (a) Any proposed law submitted to the people by initiative petition that is approved by the voters at any election takes effect on the date specified in the initiative petition. (b) If the initiative petition does not specify an effective date, a law approved by the voters at any election takes effect five calendar days after the date of the official proclamation of the vote by the county legislative body. (2) The local legislative body may amend any laws approved by the people at any meeting after the law has taken effect. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-512 Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty.

20A-7-512. Misconduct of electors and officers -- Penalty. (1) It is unlawful for any individual to: (a) sign any name other than the individual's own name to an initiative petition or a statement described in Subsection 20A-7-105(8) or 20A-7-515(4); (b) knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same initiative at one election; (c) knowingly indicate that an individual who signed an initiative petition signed the initiative petition on a date other than the date that the individual signed the initiative petition; (d) sign an initiative petition knowing the individual is not a legal voter; or (e) knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this part. (2) It is unlawful for an individual to sign the verification for an initiative packet, or to electronically sign the verification for a signature under Subsection 20A-21-201(10), knowing that: (a) the signature date associated with the individual's signature for the initiative petition is not the date that the individual signed the initiative petition; (b) the individual has not witnessed the signatures of the individuals whose signatures the individual collects or submits; or (c) one or more individuals who signed the initiative petition are not registered to vote in Utah. (3) It is unlawful for an individual to: (a) pay an individual to sign an initiative petition; (b) pay an individual, or provide or offer to provide money, prepaid postage, or any other direct financial benefit to an individual, to remove the individual's signature from an initiative petition; (c) accept payment to sign an initiative petition; (d) accept payment to have the individual's name removed from an initiative petition; (e) make a misrepresentation that is likely to deceive, or misrepresent that the individual is affiliated with or acting on behalf of a governmental entity, while the individual gathers or attempts to gather: (i) a signature for an initiative petition; or (ii) a statement described in Section 20A-1-1003 requesting removal of a signature from an initiative petition; or (f) on behalf of a voter described in Section 20A-7-106, place the initials "AV" or enter any information on a signature sheet or statement described in Section 20A-7-106, if the individual: (i) does not obtain the voluntary direction or consent of the voter; (ii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter lacks the mental capacity to give the voter's direction or consent; (iii) believes or has reason to believe that the voter does not understand the purpose or nature of the action taken by the individual on behalf of the voter; (iv) intentionally or knowingly deceives the voter into providing the direction or consent of the voter; or (v) intentionally or knowingly enters false information on the signature sheet or statement. (4) A violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor. Amended by Chapter 27, 2026 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-513 Fiscal review -- Repeal, amendment, or resubmission.

20A-7-513. Fiscal review -- Repeal, amendment, or resubmission. (1) No later than 60 calendar days after the date of an election in which the voters approve an initiative, the budget officer shall: (a) for each initiative approved by the voters, prepare a final fiscal impact statement, using current financial information and containing the information required by Subsection 20A-7-502.5(2), except for the information required by Subsection 20A-7-502.5(2)(a)(vii); and (b) deliver a copy of the final fiscal impact statement to: (i) the local legislative body of the jurisdiction where the initiative was circulated; (ii) the local clerk; and (iii) the first three sponsors listed on the initiative application. (2) If the final fiscal impact statement exceeds the estimate in the initial fiscal impact and legal statement by 25% or more, the local legislative body shall review the final fiscal impact statement and may, by a majority vote: (a) repeal the law established by passage of the initiative; (b) amend the law established by the passage of the initiative; or (c) pass a resolution informing the voters that they may file an initiative petition to repeal the law enacted by passage of the initiative. Amended by Chapter 448, 2025 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-514 Electronic initiative process -- Form of initiative petition -- Circulation requirements -- Signature collection.

20A-7-514. Electronic initiative process -- Form of initiative petition -- Circulation requirements -- Signature collection. (1) This section applies only to the electronic initiative process. (2) (a) The first screen presented on the approved device shall include the following statement: "This INITIATIVE PETITION is addressed to the Honorable ____, County Clerk/City Recorder/Town Clerk: The citizens of Utah who sign this petition respectfully demand that the following proposed law be submitted to: the legislative body for its approval or rejection at its next meeting; and the legal voters of the county/city/town, if the legislative body rejects the proposed law or takes no action on it." (b) An individual may not advance to the second screen until the individual clicks a link at the bottom of the first screen stating, "By clicking here, I attest that I have read and understand the information presented on this screen." (3) (a) The second screen presented on the approved device shall include the title of proposed law, described in Subsection 20A-7-502(2)(e)(i), followed by the entire text of the proposed law. (b) An individual may not advance to the third screen until the individual clicks a link at the bottom of the second screen stating, "By clicking here, I attest that I have read and understand the entire text of the proposed law." (4) Subsequent screens shall be presented on the device in the following order, with the individual viewing the device being required, before advancing to the next screen, to click a link at the bottom of the screen with the following statement, "By clicking here, I attest that I have read and understand the information presented on this screen.": (a) (i) if the initiative proposes a tax increase, the following statement, "This initiative seeks to increase the current (insert name of tax) rate by (insert the tax percentage difference) percent, resulting in a(n) (insert the tax percentage increase) percent increase in the current tax rate."; or (ii) if the initiative does not propose a tax increase, the following statement, "This initiative does not propose a tax increase."; (b) the summary statement from the initial fiscal impact and legal statement issued by the budget officer in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-502.5(2)(b) and the cost estimate for printing and distributing information related to the initiative petition in accordance with Subsection 20A-7-502.5(3); (c) a statement indicating whether persons gathering signatures for the initiative petition may be paid for gathering signatures; and (d) the following statement, followed by links where the individual may click "yes" or "no": "I have personally read the entirety of each statement presented on this device; I am personally signing this petition; I am registered to vote in Utah; and All information I enter on this device, including my residence and post office address, is accurate. It is a class A misdemeanor for an individual to sign an initiative petition with a name other than the individual's own name, or to knowingly sign the individual's name more than once for the same initiative petition, or to sign an initiative petition when the individual knows that the individual is not a registered voter. WARNING TO SIGNERS WITH PRIVATE VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS If you sign this petition, your voter identification number and the date you signed may be publicly disclosed. This disclosure may occur even if you are an at-risk voter with a voter registration record that has been classified as a private record. Do you wish to continue and sign this initiative petition?" (5) (a) If the individual clicks "no" in response to the question described in Subsection (4)(d), the next screen shall include the following statement, "Thank you for your time. Please return this device to the signature-gatherer." (b) If the individual clicks "yes" in response to the question described in Subsection (4)(d), the website, or the application that accesses the website, shall take the signature-gatherer and the individual signing the petition through the signature process described in Section 20A-21-201. Amended by Chapter 102, 2026 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-515 Electronic initiative process -- Obtaining signatures -- Request to remove signature.

20A-7-515. Electronic initiative process -- Obtaining signatures -- Request to remove signature. (1) This section applies to the electronic initiative process. (2) A Utah voter may sign a local initiative petition if the voter is a legal voter and resides in the local jurisdiction. (3) The sponsors shall ensure that the signature-gatherer who collects a signature from an individual: (a) verifies that the individual is at least 18 years old and meets the residency requirements of Section 20A-2-105; and (b) is informed that each signer is required to read and understand the law proposed by the initiative. (4) (a) A voter who signs an initiative petition may have the voter's signature removed from the initiative petition by, in accordance with Section 20A-1-1003, submitting to the county clerk a statement requesting that the voter's signature be removed before 5 p.m. no later than the earlier of: (i) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the voter signs the signature removal statement; (ii) the first business day that is at least 90 calendar days after the day on which the local clerk posts the voter's name under Subsection 20A-7-516(4); (iii) the first business day that is at least 316 calendar days after the day on which the initiative application is filed; or (iv) (A) for a county initiative, April 15 immediately before the next regular general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under Section 20A-7-502; or (B) for a municipal initiative, April 15 immediately before the next municipal general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under Section 20A-7-502. (b) (i) A voter may not submit a signature removal statement described in Subsection (4)(a) by mail using prepaid postage, email, or other electronic means. (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(b)(i), a county clerk may accept a signature removal statement submitted by mail using prepaid postage if the statement is postmarked on or before the effective date of this bill. (c) A person may only remove an electronic signature from an initiative petition in accordance with this section. (d) A county clerk shall analyze a holographic signature, for purposes of removing an electronic signature from an initiative petition, in accordance with Subsection 20A-1-1003(3). Amended by Chapter 27, 2026 General Session

Utah Code § 20A-7-516 Electronic initiative process -- Collecting signatures -- Email notification -- Removal of signatures.

20A-7-516. Electronic initiative process -- Collecting signatures -- Email notification -- Removal of signatures. (1) This section applies only to the electronic initiative process. (2) A signature-gatherer may not collect a signature after 5 p.m., the earlier of: (a) 316 calendar days after the day on which the initiative application is filed; or (b) (i) for a county initiative, April 15 immediately before the next regular general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under Section 20A-7-502; or (ii) for a municipal initiative, April 15 immediately before the next municipal general election immediately after the initiative application is filed under Section 20A-7-502. (3) The local clerk shall send to each individual who provides a valid email address during the signature-gathering process an email that includes the following: (a) the subject of the email shall include the following statement, "Notice Regarding Your Petition Signature"; and (b) the body of the email shall include the following statement in 12-point type: "You signed a petition for the following initiative: [insert title of initiative] To access a copy of the initiative petition, the text of the law proposed by the initiative, the initial fiscal impact and legal statement, and information on the deadline for removing your signature from the initiative petition, please visit the following link: [insert a uniform resource locator that takes the individual directly to the page on the lieutenant governor's website that includes the information referred to in the email]." (4) Except as provided in Subsection (5), the county clerk shall, within two business days after the day on which the signature of an individual who signs an initiative petition is certified under Section 20A-21-201, post the voter identification number and the date of signature of the individual on the lieutenant governor's website, in a conspicuous location designated by the lieutenant governor. (5) (a) If the local clerk timely receives a statement requesting signature removal under Subsection 20A-7-515(4), the local clerk shall: (i) ensure that the voter's name, voter identification number, and date of signature are not included in the posting described in Subsection (4); and (ii) remove the voter's signature from the initiative petition and the initiative petition signature totals. (b) The local clerk shall comply with Subsection (5)(a) before the later of: (i) the deadline described in Subsection (4); or (ii) two business days after the day on which the county clerk receives a statement requesting signature removal under Subsection 20A-7-515(4). Amended by Chapter 102, 2026 General Session
Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter7/20A-7-P5.html?v=C20A-7-P5_1800010118000101Fetched: 10/26/2026

Starting a business in Utah? Utah LLC guide: costs and requirements