Utahns for Ethical Government

UEG News

ETHICS REFORM PETITION: A NEW DEADLINE

April 23, 2010

We now have a new deadline for obtaining sufficient signatures to place ethics reform on the general election ballot.  If we are able to obtain the required number of signatures in 26 of 29 Senate Districts by August 12, the question will be put before the public in 2012.

Previously, we had one goal in mind: to obtain the signatures by April 15.  We came close and did very well, but we did not succeed in that immediate goal.  Had we succeeded with our first goal, the public would speak in the 2010 election.
 
Some opponents question our ability to continue gathering signatures.  Our lawyers are convinced we are on strong legal ground and the popular demand will be heard.

I now invite you to join me in making the final push.  Your determination in gathering signatures in sufficient numbers in the necessary districts will move us toward greater accountability in the Utah State Legislature.

Two issues:

• How far did we miss the goal?
• What can you do now?

HOW FAR DID WE MISS THE GOAL?

State Law requires approximately 95,000 valid signatures across the State.  This figure is based on the stipulation that we must obtain 10% of the number who voted for the governor in the last election.  Those signatures must be distributed throughout the State with at least 10% in 26 Senate Districts.

We do not yet know if we achieved the first requirement.  We did not achieve the second.

According to our calculations, 77,000 signatures were delivered by our volunteers to county clerks across the State.  Additionally, workers—who could not get their completed packets to our central headquarters and back to the county clerks in time—were to take packets directly to the county clerks.  There are several thousand of these, but do not know the exact number.

We also received many signatures electronically.  None of these are included in the 77,000 figure.  These could only be counted if legal action were taken to the State Supreme Court and they ruled in favor of the procedure.
Actual numbers will shrink when some of signatures cannot be validated because the signer is not registered or for some reason does not match up with voter records on file in the county clerk’s offices.  Past experience shows that number will range between 5 and 12 % of the total.

Using the 77,000 figure, signature counts in nine Senate district exceeded the required amount.  Several of these have a large buffer margin.  In addition to those, many others are close to the goal, while some have considerable distance yet to go.
Any way you look at it, our current goal is a whole lot less than it was in the Fall of 2009 when we began!

WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?

Our task is clear.  We must gain additional signatures in specific locations to qualify not only in total number but also in the required distribution in 26 Senate Districts.  We are committed to that goal.
Senate district leaders and volunteers throughout the state are being provided with exact figures, and they will know what must be done to qualify.  If you do not know how you are doing in your area, ask.  Your help is of great importance.
 
Some frequently asked questions with the answers follow:

• Should we move ahead on gathering signatures?  ABSOLUTELY YES!
• Should we sign electronically?  Our first preference is that you sign on paper, but if you are unable to do so, sign on line.  (Counting those will still demand court approval.)
• If you do not have petitions where can you get them?  Consult the web site: www.utahethics.org.
• Do we need funds?  Please contribute if you can.  We have not gone in the hole, just barely, but we are operating on a limited budget.  Your contributions are needed!  (Contribute on the web site using Pay Pal, give it to members of the executive committee,  or you can send it to my address: 932 Canyon Crest Drive, Bountiful, Utah 84010.)

DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY.  Save and put up your signs now.  Any flyers or handouts you have may still be useful.  Use, don’t discard, your current petitions.

Thanks so much for your work thus far.  With your help, we can get the issue on the ballot in 2012.  With a clear set of ethical standards, ethical improvement will happen!

Kim Burningham
Chair, Utahns for Ethical Government