SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed Senate Bill 54 Monday, ending the Count My Vote movement and paving the way for dramatic changes in Utah politics.
Under S.B. 54, political candidates will have the option of obtaining signatures to get on a primary ballot.
The bill creates a tiered threshold delineating the number of signatures candidates must gather for offices ranging from U.S. Senate to county commissioners.
Political parties will still choose delegates in caucuses and conventions. The conventions will select either two primary candidates as they currently do, but those candidates or that nominee could face candidates who pursue office through a different route.
The law also mandates that political parties allow unaffiliated voters to take part in primary elections. The GOP has closed its primary elections to all but registered Republicans in recent years.
