Utah Judge Invalidates Amendment Allowing Legislature to Repeal Citizen Initiatives

Judge Dianna Gibson rules Amendment D's ballot language misleading and unconstitutional, blocking its impact on the upcoming election.

Judge Dianna Gibson declared Amendment D invalid, citing deceptive presentation and failure to meet constitutional publication requirements.
Amendment D, proposed by Republican lawmakers, would have allowed the Legislature to repeal voter-approved initiatives.
Despite the ruling, ballots will be printed with Amendment D, but votes on it will not be counted unless the decision is overturned on appeal.
The amendment was introduced in response to a Utah Supreme Court ruling that protected anti-gerrymandering initiatives from legislative repeal.
Opponents argue the amendment's language misleads voters into weakening their initiative rights, while supporters claim it strengthens the process by clarifying legislative roles.