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Utah Senate advances bill to add a ‘convention-only’ party option after heated floor debate
Summary
Sen. McKay’s bill would allow political parties to adopt a convention-only nomination route with a 66% threshold; supporters called it an option to reduce signature-gathering costs, critics said it risks incumbent protection and could trigger a referendum. The Senate advanced the bill to third reading 18–11.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate advanced S.B. 205 on a party-rule change Wednesday after hours of debate over how candidates reach the ballot. Sponsor Sen. McKay told colleagues the measure adds an optional “convention-only” path for parties that choose it and raises the internal threshold to 66% for nomination.
“The purpose of Senate Bill 205 is to add a fourth type of political party,” McKay said in floor remarks explaining the legislation and its intent to offer parties another way to nominate candidates while preserving existing options.
Supporters cast the bill as a response to what they described as a costly signature-gathering industry that has grown since the 2014 law known as S.B. 54. McKay and backers said allowing parties to elect a convention-only route will reduce campaign spending tied to signature drives and give parties more flexibility.
Opponents framed the change differently. Sen. Thatcher told the chamber bluntly, “I hate this bill,” warning it risks weakening the convention-caucus system and could be used to protect incumbents. Other senators raised the prospect of a referendum if the legislature and electorate disagree on the direction of party-nominating rules.
Senators also debated thresholds and mechanics. McKay said the convention-only option would be voluntary for parties and not a repeal of S.B. 54; he acknowledged opponents’ concerns and repeatedly emphasized the change was an additional option, not a removal of existing paths.
Following procedural motions and a period of reconsideration, the Senate read S.B. 205 for a third time and advanced the bill by roll-call vote: 18 yeas, 11 nays. The bill now moves to the next stage in the legislative process.
What’s next: Because the sponsor and opponents discussed the likelihood of a referendum and remaining policy disputes, McKay indicated further outreach and the possibility of continued negotiation with the House and stakeholders before final passage or implementation.
Provenance: Senate floor discussion and final vote on S.B. 205 appear in the transcript beginning with the sponsor presentation (topic intro) at SEG 537 and concluding with the final roll-call recorded at SEG 2258–SEG 2260.
