Utah voters will decide on Tuesday whether to tighten the vote needed for tax‑raising citizen initiatives and to move constitutional amendment notices online.
Key points
- Amendment B would raise the approval threshold for tax‑raising citizen initiatives from a simple majority to 60%.
- Amendment A would replace newspaper notices with a 60‑day online posting on state websites.
- Both measures have attracted vocal support and opposition, reflecting broader debates over voter power and modernizing election processes.
On Tuesday’s general election, Utah residents will vote on two constitutional amendments that could reshape the state’s initiative process and how voters receive information about proposed changes.
Amendment B would require a 60% supermajority for any statewide citizen initiative that raises taxes, replacing the current simple‑majority rule. Supporters, including Utah Credit Union President Rusty Cannon, argue the higher threshold ensures broader consensus for tax increases, saying, “If your policy is a good one, and there's a meaningful need to raise taxes, surely you can get six out of 10 people to agree with you.” Opponents, such as Better Boundaries Executive Director Elizabeth Rasmussen, contend the measure would unduly restrict voters’ ability to pass policies that affect daily life, calling it a “power grab.”
Amendment B: Raising the Tax Approval Threshold
Rasmussen points to past initiatives—medical marijuana and the 2018 Medicaid expansion—that each secured about 53% of the vote but would have failed under a 60% rule, highlighting the amendment’s potential to block measures with modest but decisive support.
Amendment A targets the notification process for constitutional amendments. It would eliminate the two‑month newspaper publication requirement and instead mandate a 60‑day notice in a format set by state law, with the full text posted on the Utah Public Notice website and the lieutenant governor’s site. Cannon backs the change as a modernization effort, noting, “In today’s world, it’s outdated. It doesn’t have anything against newspapers, it’s just that there aren’t any left.” Critics warn that many rural communities still rely on printed newspapers for local news, raising concerns about accessibility.
Amendment A: Modernizing Notice Requirements
The legislature unanimously approved Amendment A in 2025, and both proposals now require a two‑thirds legislative vote before being placed on the ballot, as mandated by Utah’s constitution. Voters can review details in the KPCW voter guide ahead of the election.
For additional information on the amendments and their potential impacts, readers are encouraged to consult the KPCW voter guide and local news coverage.
Reader questions
What change would Amendment B introduce?
Amendment B would require a 60% supermajority for any statewide citizen initiative that proposes raising taxes, instead of the current simple‑majority requirement.
How would Amendment A alter the way voters learn about constitutional amendments?
Amendment A would eliminate the two‑month newspaper publication rule and require a 60‑day notice posted online on the Utah Public Notice website and the lieutenant governor’s site, with the exact format set by future state law.
When will Utah voters decide on these amendments?
Both amendments are on the ballot for the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Source: kpcw.org
