Press Release: Lieutenant Governor Cox Must Decertify the Utah Republican Party if Bylaw Changes are Not Repealed

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2018
CONTACT: Katie Matheson | Alliance for a Better Utah

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COX MUST DECERTIFY THE UTAH REPUBLICAN PARTY IF BYLAW CHANGES ARE NOT REPEALED

Salt Lake City, UT – The Alliance for a Better Utah called on Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox to decertify the Utah Republican Party if recent changes to its bylaws are not repealed to conform with Utah election law. The illegal bylaw would result in the immediate expulsion from the party of any Republican candidates seeking to get on the ballot via signatures in certain races. Qualified political parties, such as the Utah GOP, must comply with all state election laws which, under SB54, require the dual-path nomination process for candidates.

“Given the involvement of the Utah GOP in litigation over SB54, the party is clearly well aware of the legality of the issue,” said Better Utah founder and board chair, Josh Kanter. “As much as the central committee members who passed this bylaw might want to revert to the caucus system as the sole route to the ballot, the reality is that state law tells all political parties that they must also allow candidates to access the ballot by gathering signatures. If the Utah GOP does not immediately repeal this bylaw change, it appears that the Lt. Governor has no choice but to decertify the party.

“Just as we did during last year’s special election with the United Utah Party certification process, Better Utah will continue to closely monitor this situation to ensure strict compliance with the law.”

###

Alliance for a Better Utah is a good government advocacy and watchdog organization based in Salt Lake City. The organization works to improve the lives of all Utahns by ensuring balance, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.

Scroll to Top
Better Utah is covering the Utah Legislature's 2024 General Session
Sign up for our daily legislative updates