State Sen. Todd Weiler has asked the lieutenant governor’s office for a formal determination on whether he could become a Republican nominee by gathering signatures, potentially bringing to a head the dispute between the party and elections officials. “A lot of my colleagues have called and asked me these questions, and I’ve given them my opinion, but my opinion doesn’t count,” the District 23 Republican said. “Candidates are entitled to know the lay of the land so they can plan accordingly. And right now, everything seems to be up in the air.” In the letter, Weiler said he plans to begin gathering signatures on petitions in January to secure a spot on the Republican primary ballot. He also plans to seek the nomination through the party’s convention.
But Utah Republican Party Chairman James Evans has said the party can disqualify candidates who go the petition route because it is not allowed by party rules and Republican candidates have to sign a statement saying they will abide by the party’s constitution and bylaws.
In his letter to Mark Thomas, the state elections officer, Weiler asks if he will be recognized as a candidate if he gathers enough signatures, whether the party can disqualify him if he takes that path and whether the party could lose its status as a “qualified” party if it refuses to let candidates take the signature-gathering route.
The dispute stems from language in Senate Bill 54 — a compromise between legislators and the Count My Vote group that pushed for primary elections to choose candidates.
Read More Senator seeks clarification on Utah election dispute | The Salt Lake Tribune.