Utah Legislature Advances Amendment on Ballot Initiatives

Utah’s Republican-controlled Legislature has advanced a constitutional amendment to allow lawmakers to amend or repeal citizen-led ballot initiatives, following a state Supreme Court ruling limiting their power. The amendment will be voted on by Utahns in November. Proponents, such as Sen. Kirk Cullimore, argue it is necessary to prevent 'super laws' and protect against outside influence, while opponents, including Democrats, see it as a power grab that undermines voter authority. The amendment passed the House 54-21 and the Senate 20-8, with additional measures to extend the signature gathering period and prevent foreign entities from influencing votes. The debate has sparked significant controversy and is expected to lead to active campaigning from both supporters and opponents ahead of the fall vote.