House approves election-law changes that shorten signature-notice window and defer path choice to parties

The Utah House passed a substitute to Senate Bill 114 that changes the timing of the notice to gather signatures and clarifies that parties can choose whether to allow both signature-gathering and caucus/convention paths.

Representative McKay, sponsor of the bill as amended, told the House the provision would move a three-month filing window for notice of intent to gather signatures to a one-week window in January, aligning notice practice with other Utah filing traditions. The substitute also responds to broader negotiations over SB 54: rather than the state dictating one path, the substitute lets political parties decide whether candidates may use the dual-path approach or be limited to a single path.

Debate was lengthy. Members opposed to the substitute said the change risks diminishing the caucus-convention process and expressed concern that an earlier January notice period would advantage candidates who can campaign year-round. Supporters said the substitute defers the choice to parties and preserves party autonomy while simplifying the state’s notice period.

Representative Fosston, who offered the substitute, repeatedly stressed that the change was not intended to "diminish the value of the caucus convention" and said parties could preserve their processes if they chose. Opponents asked about potential court challenges; sponsors said courts have looked to whether a constitutional path remained available and that leaving a constitutional path intact would reduce legal vulnerability.

The House adopted the sixth substitute by a vote of 47 yes to 26 no and will return the measure to the Senate for consideration.