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⏰ Tick Tock
45 days - Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026)
63 days - Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026).
157 days - Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026)
216 days - Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026)
350 days - 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026)
1,085 days - 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028)
📰 Above the fold
Utah is the only state that currently permits collecting petition signatures electronically. A proposal before lawmakers would go further: by 2030, electronic signature gathering would be the only way to collect signatures for candidates, initiatives and referendums.
Lawmakers in 2023 authorized in‑person electronic collection using devices instead of paper packets. So far, campaigns have stuck with paper.
The Government Operations Interim Committee on Wednesday is considering a bill that would phase out manual signatures entirely by 2030.
Signature‑gathering devices must scan and extract data from driver licenses or other valid ID to verify signers.
By January 1, 2028, devices must operate offline, without an internet connection.
By January 1, 2030, all petition signatures must be collected electronically; paper packets would be prohibited.
If lawmakers approve the legislation in the upcoming legislative session, Utah would be unique as the only state to outlaw paper petitions for signature gathering.
Utah was not the first state to allow electronic signature gathering. In 2020, Massachusetts allowed campaigns to collect electronic signatures during the COVID pandemic.
Also in 2020, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued an executive order allowing candidates to collect signatures to qualify for the primary ballot remotely. The order suspended the requirement that gatherers witness each signature in person. Remote signers printed a page, physically signed it, and emailed an image to campaigns—a process distinct from electronic signatures.
While no other state currently allows electronic signature gathering, four states explicitly ban electronic signatures for petitions.
Idaho banned electronic signatures for ballot initiative petitions in 2021.
California courts prohibited electronic signature gathering in 2011.
Montana banned electronic signatures in 2023.
Ohio banned electronic signatures in 2006, requiring signatures to be made in ink.