Utah lawmakers have passed a new bill, SB54, making it harder for political candidates to use a nickname on the ballot following the inclusion of Lucifer “Justin Case” Everylove on last year’s state ballot. The bill requires candidates to provide additional documentation, including a signed affidavit from themselves and five residents of their county, if they wish to use a nickname on the ballot. The nickname must not imply the candidate is someone else, be offensive, or associated with a specific group or opinion. However, candidates can use common derivatives of their legal names without the same affidavit process. The bill was prompted by confusion and attention surrounding Everylove’s candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
Former state auditor John Dougall has also used a nickname on the ballot, appearing as John “Frugal” Dougall in past elections. Lawmakers indicated that candidates like Dougall, who are commonly known by their nickname, may still be able to use it on the ballot. The bill aims to ensure the integrity of the election process and prevent misleading or inappropriate nicknames on the ballot.
Everylove, who legally changed his name five years prior, garnered attention for his unique nickname and received 2,653 votes in the 2024 general election. The bill sponsor, Sen. Stephanie Pitcher, emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of the election process and ensuring that only accurate legal names or approved nicknames appear on the ballot. The bill now awaits action from the governor as the 2025 general legislative session in Utah draws to a close on March 7.
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