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Utah House approves bill to shift petition-signature gathering online, but privacy concerns linger
Summary
The House passed a first substitute to HB 223 to formalize an electronic signature-gathering system for initiatives and referenda, require offline capture capability, and sunset paper petitions by 2030. Lawmakers split over privacy, third‑party audits and rural access.
Representative Tuscher urged the Utah House on Feb. 9 to adopt a first substitute of HB 223 that would formalize an electronic signature-gathering process for initiatives, referenda and candidate nominations, require offline capability for the platform and set a 2030 sunset for paper signature collection. The chamber approved the first substitute and voted to send the bill to the Senate.
Tuscher, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the system would let gatherers scan an ID to verify signers instantly, reduce printing costs and ease clerks’ verification burden. “Rather than forcing the verification of that person's identity through…
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