Utah has two statewide citizen-petition routes: an initiative proposes a new law, while a referendum asks voters to approve or reject a law the Legislature has already passed. Each has its own filing steps and signature thresholds. A petition must be verified as sufficient before it can proceed, and an approved measure becomes effective under the applicable statute and its own terms—not automatically on election night.
Initiative or referendum: which route applies?
The key distinction is what the petition is trying to do. Use an initiative to propose a new statutory law; use a referendum to challenge an existing law passed by the Legislature. Utah’s statewide initiative process does not provide a route for proposing a constitutional amendment.
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| Route | What it does | 2026 statewide signature test | What happens after a sufficient petition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative for the ballot | Proposes a new statutory law. | Signatures equal to 8% of active voters statewide, plus district thresholds in at least 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. | Goes to the relevant general-election ballot. |
| Initiative to the Legislature | Proposes a new statutory law for legislative consideration. | Signatures equal to 4% of active voters statewide, plus district thresholds in at least 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. | Goes to the Legislature for consideration. |
| Referendum | Asks voters to approve or reject an existing law. | Signatures equal to 8% of active voters statewide, plus district thresholds in at least 15 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. | Eligible law goes to voters for an approve-or-reject decision. |
The percentages and district tests above are the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office requirements published for the 2026 statewide cycle. They are not raw statewide signature counts: organizers must satisfy both the statewide percentage and the applicable Senate-district distribution test. The published percentages use active-voter totals dated January 1, 2025. The office says thresholds change on January 1, 2027, and every two years after, so consult its current cycle table for actual counts and requirements.
How do I get an initiative on the Utah ballot?
- File an application with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The official instructions require at least five Utah-resident sponsors and a copy of the proposed statutory law, including its title, funding description, and text.
- Wait for the application review. The lieutenant governor reviews the proposal under statutory criteria, including whether it is legally capable of becoming law and covers a single subject. Follow the office’s current instructions for the application materials and timing.
- Choose the ballot or legislative route and meet its signature tests. The statewide initiative thresholds differ depending on whether the proposal is intended for a ballot or submitted to the Legislature, as shown above.
- Circulate petition packets. The official instructions require handwritten signatures from registered voters; electronic signatures are not permitted under those instructions. Follow the current packet and circulation rules rather than relying on a deadline from an earlier election cycle.
- Submit the packets for verification. County clerks verify submitted signatures. The lieutenant governor then determines whether the petition is sufficient or insufficient. The number of signatures collected is not the same as the number verified, and raw totals alone do not establish that the petition qualifies.
- Proceed to the next stage if the petition is sufficient. A direct initiative proceeds to the relevant general-election ballot; an initiative using the legislative route goes to the Legislature for consideration.
Filing, circulation, submission, and verification all have deadlines. Because the instructions and dates are cycle-specific, check the Lieutenant Governor’s Office’s current initiative guidance and election calendar. Its instructions state: “If any inconsistency exists between this website and statute, the statutory language governs.”
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Can Utah voters repeal a law by referendum?
A referendum lets voters decide whether to approve or reject an existing law, but not every law is eligible. According to the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office instructions, a law passed by a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate is not subject to referendum; other laws are generally subject to the process.
Referendum sponsors file an application after the legislative session and submit the law being challenged. They then circulate petition packets and submit signatures for county-clerk verification. For the 2026 statewide cycle, the referendum uses the statewide and Senate-district tests shown in the comparison table. Check the current official threshold table and calendar before organizing: the published numerical requirements are tied to active-voter figures for that cycle, and filing and signature deadlines are not evergreen.
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What happens when voters decide a measure?
For either statewide route, a measure passes if it receives a majority of the votes cast on that proposition or question. That means a majority of voters who cast a vote on the measure—not a majority of all registered or eligible voters.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsAfter voting, county results are canvassed and the State Board of Canvassers certifies statewide results. The governor issues a proclamation after certification. Approval, certification, proclamation, and the measure’s effective date are distinct stages; the effective date is governed by statute and may depend on the measure’s terms, including tax effects or a later date specified in the measure. Do not assume a measure takes effect on election night or on one universal date.
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How local Utah measures differ
Statewide thresholds do not apply to city or county petitions. Local initiative and referendum requirements depend on the jurisdiction’s active-voter total and classification, and some rules also use voter-participation areas. Election timing and effective-date rules can differ as well. For a local proposal, ask the relevant county or municipal clerk which process, current threshold table, and deadlines apply.
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