I wanted to forward the email Nat sent yesterday (make sure to mark our new email addresses as not spam!). Today, the State Legislature is in a special session to amend the Utah Constitution to remove our protection to alter or reform our government via the ballot initiative without fear of legislative meddling. This would be a huge blow to our democracy, but we have two opportunities to stop this.
The first is today at 1:15 pm - the Business and Labor Committee is meeting today in Senate Building Room 120 where the proposed constitutional amendment will be heard. This will be the only chance Utah voters have to make public comments before the legislature votes on this, and we need to pack the room and show them that Utahns will not stand for this obvious power grab. Can you join us at 1:15 pm today up at the State Capitol?
If this amendment passes today, our next chance to keep our constitutional right to reform our government will be on November 5th, when the amendment is on the ballot for all Utah voters - but showing all Utahns today how many of us oppose this change now will send a powerful message as we head into an election in 76 days.
Nat Williams here, Stewardship Utah’s Democracy Policy Associate, with some disturbing legislative updates.
You might’ve already heard that the Utah State Legislature is calling a rushed special session tomorrow evening to create a constitutional amendment to restrict ballot initiatives – barely one month after the Utah Supreme Court unanimously ruled to protect our fundamental constitutional right to reform our government through the initiative process.
We, along with the rest of the Let Utah Vote Coalition, are rallying our supporters to show our legislators that restricting our fundamental right to reform our government is unacceptable. We need your voice to stop this extreme effort to silence Utahns. Join us tomorrow (8/21) evening at 4:45 PM in the Senate and House galleries on the 4th floor. Signs are not permitted.
If you are unable to join us in person, please reach out to your legislators and let them know that you do not support this undermining of our right to reform our government.
Here are some talking points for speaking with your legislator:
We oppose the Utah Legislature’s attempt to override the Utah Supreme Court’s unanimous decision by attempting to amend our constitution.
Utahns have a constitutional right to reform our government, and we oppose the Utah Legislature taking that away.
These efforts go against our country’s founding principles of balanced powers and checks and balances.
We cannot stop this alone. Your voice is critical in preventing this power grab. Thank you for joining us in person tomorrow and taking the time to contact your legislators. Please encourage your friends and family to do the same.
