The backers of Keep My Voice, which successfully kept the Count My Vote initiative off of November’s ballot, appears to be gauging support among lawmakers for SB54 ahead of the 2019 legislature.
An online survey was sent to several legislators, and forwarded to UtahPolicy.com, from Keep My Voice. The original email came from an Entrata account, the firm owned by David Bateman, who bankrolled the Keep My Voice effort.
The questionnaire asks lawmakers which path they took to get to the ballot, either signature gathering, caucus/convention or both. From there, respondents are asked to rate their level of support for the different paths to the ballot, and what they see as the most significant issues with each route.
Later in the questionnaire, respondents who have expressed support for the convention path or opposition to signature gathering are asked whether they would support the repeal of SB54 and why. Legislators who voiced support for SB54 are asked why they would not support the repeal.
One lawmaker, who asked not to be identified, told UtahPolicy.com that the survey appears to be an attempt to measure how much support there would be for a repeal of the dual-path to the ballot, as well as a way to possibly find a sponsor for a repeal bill.
Keep My Voice did not respond to a request for comment.
The survey ends with a question about the court challenge to SB54 by the Utah GOP. Courts have repeatedly ruled against the party, most recently the 10th circuit court of appeals in Denver. The GOP has appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court.
The Utah House passed a repeal of the dual-path system in both 2017 and 2018, but the measure died in the Senate both times. Gov. Gary Herbert has repeatedly said he would resist repeal of SB54.
