Starting Monday January 4th, people wanting to run for political office in Utah will be able to start gathering signatures. And while significant questions about the process still remain, the state elections office is ready to move forward.
Officials from the Lt. Governor’s Office and the Utah Republican Party have wanted Utah’s new election law to be clarified before January 4th, but that now seems very unlikely. While the two groups seek guidance from the courts, Deputy Lt. Governor Mark Thomas says his office will be handing out petition packets to any candidate who asks for one.
“We’ve conducted numerous trainings with the county clerks and their staffs, as well as candidates and campaign staffers, and we’ll be ready for them,” Thomas says.
That means Utahns can expect to see signature gatherers for the primary out and about as soon as next week.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that you will begin to see circulators out, either coming to your door or at your local grocery store, or maybe even phone calls with people asking if they’re interested in signing,” he says.
The Utah GOP contends the law allows them to choose the caucus and convention system as the only method for candidates to get their party’s nomination. The Lt. Governor’s office says the law allows candidates to choose either the caucus and convention system or the signature gathering route, or even both.