The right to vote and to have one’s vote
counted accurately and equally is a fundamental right in our democracy,
and the ACLU of Utah works to ensure that voters understand and exercise
their rights.
Learn about the national ACLU Voting Rights Project >>
Press Releases - Litigation
Legal Advocacy and Policy Work
Legislative Reports - Resources - Events
2010 Utah Voter Empowerment Information
Posted 8/24/10 - The ACLU of Utah doesn't endorse or oppose any candidate or party, but we believe that no civil right is more important in our democracy than the right to vote. This information packet is designed to help you protect your own right to vote.
Read more >> English / Spanish
UTAH SUPREME COURT VALIDATES USE OF E-SIGNATURES IN ELECTORAL PROCESS
Posted 6/22/10 - The Utah Supreme Court today issued an opinion validating the use of e-signatures in the electoral process. The Court’s opinion, the first of its kind nationwide, has the potential to increase significantly the ability of independent candidates to access the general election ballot, and thus to increase the opportunity for minority viewpoints to be heard and considered in election years.
Read the ACLU of Utah press release >>
Read the Deseret News story >>
Read the CNN story >>
ACLU OF UTAH ARGUES E-SIGNATURES CASE
Posted 6/3/10 - Yesterday, the ACLU of Utah and cooperating attorney Brent V. Manning argued to the Utah Supreme Court that the Lieutenant Governor overstepped the bounds of his constitutional and statutory authority when he rejected Farley Anderson's petition to be placed on the general election ballot as an unaffiliated, independent candidate for governor. Mr. Anderson's petition contained a small number of "e-signatures"--signatures collected through an online petitioning process--which the Lieutenant Governor incorrectly argued did not constitute legal "signatures" under Utah State law. Utah common and statutory law is clear, however, that the rejected signatures should, and must, be given legal effect.
Learn more about the oral argument here:
Fox 13 >>
KCPW >>
ACLU of Utah to Lead Election Case Before Utah Supreme Court
Posted 5/24/10 - In a press conference this morning, the ACLU of Utah announced its role in a major case currently before the Utah Supreme Court, dealing with issues critical to participatory democracy in Utah. The ACLU of Utah will be acting as legal counsel, in partnership with cooperating attorney Brent V. Manning, in a significant and potentially precedent-setting case that addresses the right of independent political candidates to fair and equal access to the general election ballot.
Full press release >>
Photos from the 5/24/10 press conference >>
The ACLU of Utah Urges Senate to Reject Bill Restricting Voting Rights
FEB 27, 2008 - In a letter regarding SB 210, “Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote,” which was distributed to the Utah Senate, The ACLU of Utah strongly urged senators to defeat the bill which would create barriers to voter participation by those who are lawfully entitled to vote in this state.
Read the press release >>
Read the letter >>
ACT NOW to halt Senate Bill 210 – an unnecessary bill that will discourage voter participation!
FEB 26, 2008 - The ACLU of Utah is opposed to SB 210, "Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote" which is unnecessary and creates barriers to voter participation.
Read the ACLU of Utah fact sheet for more information and to take action >>
Press Releases
ACLU of Utah Investigates Ogden City Election Complaints;
Seeks Information From Voters Who Experienced Problems (11/19/07)
Draper
City repeals unconstitutional campaign sign ordinance (10/22/04)
ACLU of Utah files suit challenging Draper’s
unconstitutional campaign sign ordinance (9/14/04)
Litigation
Anderson v. Bell
Larsen
v. City of Draper
Legal Advocacy and Policy Work
Letter
to Provo City regarding its “Time-Off to Vote” policy
(9/24/04) We received a call from a Provo city employee
concerned that he would be denied his statutory right to time off
from work to cast his vote on Election Day. Our letter to a Provo
City attorney received a tepid response, and we passed the matter
over to the Assistant Attorney General who works on election issues.
As a result, Provo re-examined its policy.
Letters to Orem City, Riverdale,
Roy City, and Weber
County regarding their unconstitutional campaign sign ordinances (8/24/04)
ACLU
of Utah Claims LaVerkin Referendum Petition is Insufficient (3/5/02)
From Our Legislative Reports
Read the full 2010 legislative report on Participatory Democracy >>
Action Alert: Bill Protecting Constitutional Right to Vote Needs Help
Posted 3/5/09 - On February 10, 2009, H.B. 49, “Voter Challenge Amendments,” sponsored by Rep. Neil Hansen, was approved by the Utah House of Representatives and moved to the Senate where it has been stuck in the Senate Rules Committee. This bill is an important step forward in preserving and
upholding the Constitutional right of Utahns to vote, and will help inspire greater confidence in
the voting process by the electorate. Please contact each member of the Committee urging them to pass this bill to the full Senate.
Read the full Action Alert >>
ACTION ALERT! Oppose Bills Creating Barriers to Voting!
Posted 3/2/09 - H.B. 126S01, "Voter Identification for Elections," and S.B. 69, "Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote," will be voted on shortly by the Senate. If approved, these misguided bills will put barriers in the paths of legitimate Utah voters as they head to the polls to vote. While touted as a response to the potential that non-citizens may vote, they make it difficult, if not impossible for many citizens to vote.
Read the ACLU of Utah Action Alert >>
Bill Creates Unnecessary Barriers to Voter Participation
Posted 2/26/09 - The ACLU of Utah distributed a letter to the Utah Senate addressing concerns regarding SB 69, "Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote," which threaten the constitutional right of lawful U.S. citizens to vote.
Read the letter (PDF) >>
Bill Protecting Constitutional Right to Vote Passes House
Posted 2/12/09 - H.B. 49, “Voter Challenge Amendments,” sponsored by Rep. Neil Hansen, was approved by the Utah House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate. This bill is an important step forward in preserving and
upholding the Constitutional right of Utahns to vote, and will help inspire greater confidence in
the voting process by the electorate.
Read a news report about this important vote >>
Read a letter by the ACLU of Utah supporting H.B. 49 (PDF) >>
ACLU of Utah Supports Bill Protecting the Constitutional Right to Vote
Posted 1/27/09 - ACLU of Utah staff attorney Marina Lowe testifies before, and submits letter to the House Government Operations Standing Committee in support of HB 49 "Voter Challenge Amendments," which would protect the right to vote of Utahns and prevent manipulation of the current law to disenfranchise voters.
Read the letter (PDF) >>
The ACLU of Utah Urges Senate to Reject Bill Restricting Voting Rights
FEB 27, 2008 - In a letter regarding SB 210, “Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote,” which was distributed to the Utah Senate, The ACLU of Utah strongly urged senators to defeat the bill which would create barriers to voter participation by those who are lawfully entitled to vote in this state.
Read the press release >>
Read the letter >>
ACT NOW to halt Senate Bill 210 – an unnecessary bill that will discourage voter participation!
FEB 26, 2008 - The ACLU of Utah is opposed to SB 210, "Proof of Citizenship Required to Vote" which is unnecessary and creates barriers to voter participation.
Read the ACLU of Utah fact sheet for more information and to take action >>
Lawmakers
Pass Several Amendments to Utah’s Voting Rights and Election Laws
(2006)
Legislators
Change the Laws Pertaining to Ballot Initiatives (2005)
Law Addresses Some of the Concerns
Regarding Electronic Voting (2005)
Law Would Have Prohibited the
State From Using the Most Accurate Census Data for Redistricting (2000)
Ballot Initiative Approved to Restrict Felon Voting Rights (1998)
The Public’s Ability to Petition the Government Restricted (1998)
Position Papers and Resources
2008 Utah Voter Empowerment Information
The ACLU doesn’t endorse or oppose any candidate or party, but we believe that no civil right is more important in our democracy than the right to vote. This information is designed to help you protect your own right to vote. You may print it out and take it with you to the polls on Election Day.
Read the 2008 Utah Voter Empowerment Resource >>
ACLU Of Utah Releases Report on Ogden Election Irregularities
Posted 04/25/08 - The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah released a report today
detailing the results of an investigation into election irregularities surrounding the Ogden 2007
municipal election. The Report details reported incidents of electioneering, over-reaching
voter challenges and provisional ballot issues, concluding that
legislative changes and increased oversight are necessary.
Read the press release and full report>>
2006 Utah Voter Information (September 2006)
2004 Utah Voting Information
(October 2004)
ACLU of Utah’s Voter Empowerment Information (October 2004)
Electronic Voting (August 2004)
Voter Redistricting Process (September 2001)
Events
SLAM THE VOTE: POWER, POETRY & POLITICS
Posted 09/11/08 - Non-profits and local businesses unite to inspire new Utah voters.
Read the press release >>
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