Utah has only one active petition drive that ends in mid February, 2026. Out of state people have been "brought in" to gather signatures from voters.
A GOP-affiliated action group is spending a LOT of money to fund the repeal-prop-4 petition drive, in order to keep cheating and gerrymandering in Utah. Politicians who objected to "outside influences' when the proposition 4 was being put forward suddenly have no issue with outside dark money.
Why not "Win elections by having good ideas that persuade voters to vote for your party?" Petition gatherers often congregate at county buildings, motor vehicle registration sites, libraries, and large stores.
Suggested Pro-Democracy action plan when meeting a petitioner:
Any of these actions are helpful: Thank you for protecting democracy.
- Activate a voice memo before approaching someone. In Utah, recordings are allowed if you are in the conversation.
- Remark on the time, date, and place as you walk up.
- Ask for information about the petition, including a copy of the text of the petition. (When we canvased for a petition in the spring we were required to show each voter the text of the petition).
- Take the clipboard in hand, comment on the packet number and perhaps photograph it for your record outside the voice memo. The packet number is located on the front of the stapled packet.
- Hold onto the clip board for a long time while asking more questions. This can prevent others from signing.
- Insure that accurate information is provided. You might ask:
- "Who is behind this effort?
- Name the sponsors?
- Are they a bipartisan group (NO)!
- I understand that the Republican lawmakers will select their voters if this petition succeeds. Why is that desired?
- The actual petition may be "the text of proposition 4 crossed out". If it is shown to you, ask why a fair and bipartisan plan would be "bad for us voters"?
- find out the petitioner's badge number? (less important: your name? Where are you from? How much are you paid?)
- Report irregularities to the Utah Lieutenant Governor (https://cs.utah.gov/s/ltgovsubmit) and to mail@UTdems.org
- Even though you should not sign the petition, request the form to remove your signature if you change your mind. This establishes that "removal info" is also being provided.
