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“Count My Vote” warns lawmakers about undoing deal

Posted at 10:21 AM, Feb 13, 2015
and last updated 2015-02-13 12:21:38-05

SALT LAKE CITY — Organizers of “Count My Vote,” the signature initiative that allowed candidates to skip the caucus and convention system, are warning lawmakers not to go back on a deal.

In a letter sent to lawmakers on Friday and obtained by FOX 13, former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller and others who backed “Count My Vote” urged them not to pass new bills, which could undo a compromise between them, the governor and lawmakers.

Read the letter here:

Count My Vote letter to lawmaker

Last year, Governor Gary Herbert signed a compromise law that gave candidates the option to get on the ballot with a signature drive, skipping the caucus/convention system.

The Utah Republican Party is suing the state over that law. A hearing on the lawsuit is slated for April in federal court.

Count My Vote co-founder Kirk Jowers told FOX 13 on Friday that he believes the bills seeking to undo the compromise will not pass. However, he warned that if they did — Count My Vote could return as a signature drive forcing a ballot initiative.