Rep. Ryan Wilcox introduced a bill, HB369, that aims to create a committee of five county clerks to appoint a state elections director in Utah, moving the oversight responsibilities from the lieutenant governor. The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the perception of a conflict of interest and enhance election integrity.
However, the bill has faced bipartisan pushback, with some policymakers questioning the effectiveness of the proposed solution. Critics argue that the bill might not actually address the perceived conflict of interest and could potentially worsen the situation. A Sutherland Institute poll found that a majority of Utah voters prefer the person overseeing elections to be elected, raising concerns about decreasing confidence in election integrity if the director is appointed.
Some, like Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson, support removing election oversight from the lieutenant governor due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Despite Utah being one of the only two states where the chief election official is the lieutenant governor, some defend the current system and question the need for Wilcox’s proposal.
Experts like Taylor Morgan argue that the perceived conflicts of interest are manufactured and that the current lieutenant governor model is the best solution. Wilcox’s proposal, according to Morgan, could create serious problems that do not currently exist. The bill would replace the title of “lieutenant governor” with “office director” in the election code and require the director to be appointed every four years by a committee of county clerks. Ultimately, the debate continues over whether the proposed bill is the right solution to address election oversight in Utah.
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