Utah bill would let voters veto Utah Supreme Court rulings
Should voters get a veto over Utah Supreme Court rulings that strike down state laws? A new bill says yes.
HB600 from Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, would create a new statewide referendum letting voters decide whether a Utah Supreme Court opinion invalidating a state law actually takes effect.
⏰ Tick Tock
7 days - The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026)
10 days - First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026)
18 days - Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026)
43 days - Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026)
58 days - Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026)
117 days - Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026)
249 days - 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026)
984 days - 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028)
The process mirrors Utah’s existing referendum rules. Sponsors would have five business days after a Utah Supreme Court decision to file. They’d need signatures from 8% of voters statewide, plus 8% of active voters in at least 15 of the 29 Senate districts
Sponsors get 105 days from the court’s decision to turn in signatures—more than double the 40-day window for referendums on laws passed by the Legislature.
If the referendum qualifies, the lieutenant governor would “stay” the court’s ruling and put the question on the next statewide ballot. A majority “yes” vote means the Utah Supreme Court’s decision stands. A “no” vote blocks it.
If it passes, Utah would likely be the first state to let voters weigh in directly on whether a state supreme court opinion invalidating a law should take effect.
Earlier in the 2026 session, MacPherson was the author of HB392, which created a rotating, three-judge “constitutional court” to hear lawsuits that challenge state laws as unconstitutional. Gov. Spencer Cox swiftly signed the bill into law earlier in February. Opponents have filed a lawsuit challenging the new court as unconstitutional.
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