Organizers withdraw Utah initiative seeking nonpartisan primaries, ranked choice voting

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Organizers of an initiative that would have dramatically overhauled elections in Utah are withdrawing it and will no longer be trying to put the issue on Utah’s ballot in 2022.

The initiative, known as Utahns for Fair Elections, sought to establish a single, non-partisan primary election. Under that system, the top five finishers in each race would move to the general election. It also sought to set up a ranked choice voting system in general elections where voters list their candidate preferences in order.

Maury Giles, one of the leaders of the initiative, told 2News the decision to withdraw came down to timing and logistics as well as the need to collaborate with more people.

"We want to make sure we do it right and that we truly make the systemic changes that are needed," Giles said.

The initiative was filed in August with the lieutenant governor’s office, which determined it met the state’s legal requirements. The office was waiting for organizers to turn in the required number of signatures. That signature-gathering process had not yet begun, organizers said.

In their initial filing letter, organizers said the initiative was designed “to give voters more choice and voice in our elections, to create healthier competition, and to encourage greater accountability among candidates and elected officials.”

Carson Jorgensen, the new Utah Republican Party chairman, had opposed the initiative and told 2News he's happy it's being withdrawn.

"I think there needs to be a lot more thought that goes into it than just a ballot initiative," Jorgensen said. "The way that that initiative was structured would have really ruined the state party. There would have been really no reason for state parties."

Giles insisted the group's efforts have polled well and received support. He said they are now considering next steps, including possibly trying to get the initiative on the 2024 ballot.

"We're looking at systemic change," Giles said, "and that means we need to get it done and get it done right with the right people on board."

The GOP chair said he has not spoken to any of the initiative organizers but hoped they would reach out as they plot their future course.

“You’d think that they would want to reach out and find a solution that works best for everybody," Jorgensen said.