All Roll Calls
Yes: 162 • No: 19
UtahH.B. 2422026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Initiative and Referendum Signature Gathering and Removal Amendments
Sponsored By: Karen M. Peterson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Election LawInitiativesCrimesGovernment Operations (State Issues)Referenda
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Alternate verification for disabled voters
Beginning May 6, 2026, voters who cannot sign because of a qualifying disability may use “AV” instead of a signature. The voter must give a phone number, email, or other contact so the clerk can verify identity. Clerks must use an alternate verification process. The director of elections may set rules for this process.
Clear deadlines to undo petition signatures
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law sets clear filing deadlines to remove your name from petitions. You must file with the county clerk before 5 p.m. Statewide initiatives: file by the earlier of the first business day at least 30 days after you sign the removal statement, or the first business day at least 90 days after posting if the packet was received before Dec. 1 (45 days after posting if on or after Dec. 1). Statewide referenda: the earlier of the first business day at least 30 days after you sign or at least 45 days after posting. Local initiatives: the earliest of four options—30 days after you sign; 90 days after posting; the last business day no more than 316 days after the application filing; or, for county and municipal initiatives, April 15 before the next general election. Local referenda: the earlier of 30 days after you sign or 45 days after posting. Electronic signatures follow the same 90-day (before Dec. 1) or 45-day (on/after Dec. 1) posting windows.
Limits on how you submit removals
Beginning May 6, 2026, you may not submit a removal statement by email or other electronic means. You also may not mail a removal statement using prepaid postage, unless the envelope is postmarked on or before May 6, 2026.
Paid removal gatherers need badges, hourly pay
Beginning May 6, 2026, anyone paid to gather removal statements must be at least 18 and wear a laminated white badge with black ink in at least 24‑point type. The badge must show a unique ID, the petition title, the words “Paid Signature Removal Statement Gatherer,” and the payer’s name. Paid gatherers must be paid by the hour to collect removal statements. If a collector is paid, the removal form must show a printed notice next to the signature that removal may keep the petition off the ballot and include the collector’s printed name and date.
Clerks must verify and post names
Beginning May 6, 2026, county clerks have 21 days after receiving a packet to decide if each signer is a legal voter. For certified signers, clerks post the name, voter ID, and date of signature on the lieutenant governor’s website and deliver the packet; local clerks must post a link on the local site during the posting period. If a timely removal statement passes identity checks, the clerk must keep the signer off the public list and remove the signature from packets and totals by the verification deadline or within two business days, whichever is later. Clerks must use a tiered match to verify removals: exact name and address; or address plus a substantially similar name; or matching birth date/age, with signatures reasonably consistent; alternate checks apply for some disabilities. A clerk may not refuse to certify a packet just because a date next to a signature is off by one calendar year if shifting it by one year puts it inside the collection window.
Sponsors must email and verify signers
Beginning May 6, 2026, sponsors must ensure the witnessing person is at least 18 and completes the packet’s verification. Gatherers must check that each signer is 18+ and meets residency rules, and tell each signer to read and understand the measure. Before delivering packets, sponsors must email each signer who gave a legible address a “Notice Regarding Your Petition Signature” with petition details and a URL. By 5 p.m. the day the last packet is submitted, sponsors must give the lieutenant governor or local clerk a recipient list with dates, a copy of the email, and a signed verification from each sponsor. Signatures are invalid if sponsors do not meet these email and verification steps. Signers’ emails may be used only for the petition process. After submission to a county clerk, no one may retrieve or change a packet.
Bans and penalties for petition misconduct
Beginning May 6, 2026, it is illegal to pay or offer money, prepaid postage, or other financial benefits to get someone to remove a signature, or to accept payment to remove your own name. People gathering signatures or removals may not lie or claim to act for the government. Violations are class A misdemeanors.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Calvin R. Musselman
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 21 • No: 7
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 57 • No: 12
House vote • 2/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 0
House vote • 1/26/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/7/2026House/ to Governor
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/7/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/7/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/7/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/7/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/7/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/7/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/26/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/26/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2026
Substitute #3
3/5/2026
Substitute #2
3/4/2026
Substitute #1
2/27/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026