How many times have you uttered the popular refrain, “There should be a law about that!”?
In most cases, it’s a simple complaint. If you’re a Utahan, though, you can try to make it real with an initiative petition.
Read on for more information about how to make and circulate an initiative petition in Utah.
Learn How Many Signatures You Need
The first step in creating an initiative petition in Utah is learning how many signatures you need. The amount to petition an initiative varies by jurisdiction, so ask your clerk.
Apply With the Proper Authorities
Before collecting signatures, apply for an initiative. Contact the office that matches your initiative’s region for an application. For example, talk to a municipal clerk for a municipal initiative or a county clerk for a county initiative.
Wait for the Review and Decision
After turning your application in, you must wait for the local government to approve it. The proposed law has to be sensical, practical, and unique for approval. You’ll hear back within 20 days and can appeal a rejection within 10 days after.
The Authorities Educate the Masses
Once you get the green light, you or other sponsors can turn in an argument for the proposed law. The government may write an argument for or against your proposition.
These arguments go into an often digital pamphlet that both the clerk and yourself will distribute to educate the locale’s residents.
Hit the Streets With Your Initiative Petition
Once residents know your initiative, it’s time to collect signatures. If you’re able, hiring a lobbyist is a good way to get citizens and politicians alike on board with your proposed law.
The clerk who approves your application will send you a petition file that you must print and bind into several packets.
You need to be a Utah resident and 18 or older to circulate an initiative petition. People need to prove they’re registered to vote before signing. For a statewide referendum, signers must have voted within the last three years.
You can’t sign a petition you carry but can sign a petition someone else circulates. Don’t waste time collecting e-signatures because they’re not accepted.
Talk to the relevant clerk and any lobbyists or lawyers helping you to make sure you meet all the requirements. Otherwise, you could waste a ton of time and effort. Invalid petition packets can’t forward your proposed law.
Submit Signatures to the Clerk
You have to submit all your packets on or before February 15th before the relevant election. The date can’t be over 316 days past the application’s filing.
Let the Wheels Turn
At this point, the initiative petition you submitted is out of your hands. Officials process and evaluate the petition documents.
If they pass, your proposed law becomes a local referendum or statewide referendum. Note that not all accepted applications become referendums.
Discover New Things to Change Your Life
These steps for creating and submitting an initiative petition in Utah will help your efforts to amend laws in your locale. With any luck, your initiative will become a local referendum or a statewide referendum and voters make it law after that.
If you want to learn other ways to change your life and the world for the better, click another great article and discover something new.
