SB 300: Election Amendments - Utah

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Utah's election laws to update procedures for filling candidate and officeholder vacancies. The changes clarify when political parties can fill vacancies, establish new definitions for terms like 'valid candidate vacancy' and 'delegates for the applicable political party', and update the process for governor appointments of midterm vacancies. The bill also includes coordination clauses to align with related legislation.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of vacancy-filling procedures to include more specific definitions and clearer timelines for when political party delegates can select replacement candidates versus when the governor must appoint them.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'applicable political party', 'delegates for the applicable political party', 'valid candidate vacancy', and 'valid reason' to clarify when vacancies can be filled by political parties.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the process for filling candidate vacancies to require delegates to select replacement candidates by majority vote, with party liaisons certifying the selection to election officers.

Added requirements for party liaisons to communicate vote results of delegate selections to relevant election officials and the governor.

TIMELINE

Updated deadlines for vacancy certification and ballot placement to align with specific election calendar dates and lieutenant governor certification schedules.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria for midterm vacancies in various offices, including attorney general, state treasurer, state auditor, and State Board of Education members.

TECHNICAL

Made technical and conforming changes to align vacancy-filling procedures with related legislation, including updates to Section 20A-1-503 and 20A-1-504.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a new version of SB 300 that modifies election vacancy procedures in Utah. The changes update the definitions of election terms, establish new rules for filling candidate vacancies when candidates die or resign, and revise how midterm legislative and executive office vacancies are filled. The bill shifts authority from political party central committees to party delegates for selecting replacement candidates in many cases.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more detailed definitions of election terminology and clarified the process for filling vacancies at different stages of the election cycle (primary vs general election).

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Applicable political party', 'Delegates for the applicable political party', 'Valid candidate vacancy', and 'Valid reason' to clarify when and how vacancies occur.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the process for filling candidate vacancies from central committee certification to delegate selection by majority vote for most offices.

TIMELINE

Established specific deadlines for when replacement candidates must be selected and certified based on whether the vacancy occurs before or after primary election certification.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the midterm vacancy filling process for legislative and executive offices to require delegate selection of three candidates before the governor appoints one.

TECHNICAL

Added comprehensive definitions for over 80 election-related terms to ensure consistent understanding of election procedures.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions preventing replacement candidates from appearing on ballots if they were not properly appointed according to the new delegate selection process.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Utah election laws to change how political party vacancies are filled. The main change shifts from central committees certifying replacement candidates to delegates voting by majority to select replacement candidates, with party liaisons communicating results to election officials. The bill also updates vacancy filling procedures for legislative and executive offices to require delegate votes before gubernatorial appointments.

Scope change

The bill expands the role of political party delegates in candidate and officeholder vacancy selection, making the process more democratic within party structures rather than relying solely on central committee certification.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed vacancy filling procedure from central committee certification to delegate majority vote selection for candidate vacancies

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for party liaisons to communicate delegate vote results to election officials and governor

Updated legislative midterm vacancy procedures to require delegate votes before gubernatorial appointment

Modified executive office vacancy procedures to require delegate selection from three nominees before gubernatorial appointment

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Applicable political party', 'Valid candidate vacancy', and 'Valid reason' for candidate vacancies

TECHNICAL

Renumbered Section 20A-1-501 to 20A-1-501.1 and updated related section numbers throughout the bill

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