DECLINE TO SIGN

Decline to sign the petition to repeal Prop 4

The Crisis

Utah voters are facing a direct threat to the very foundation of our system of government — and that foundation is you.

Our rights aren’t vague ideals; they are written directly into the Utah Constitution. Article I, Section 2 makes it unmistakably clear: “All political power is inherent in the people” and every free government “is founded on their authority.” It also affirms that we — the people — have the right “to alter or reform [our] government as the public welfare may require.”

That is exactly what voters did with Prop 4. And the Utah Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld this principle of popular sovereignty, ruling that the state cannot casually undermine or overturn the will of the voters without meeting the highest legal standards.

Before Prop 4, the legislature ignored public input and drew maps to protect their own power. Utahns stood up, changed the system at the ballot box, and when legislators tried to dodge the law, the courts defended the people’s choice.

The Mission

We need to keep the power of drawing Utah’s congressional maps in the hands of the voters – where it belongs. Utah is facing a direct threat to its constitutional balance. Outsiders are working to undue the will of the people.

Happening Now

A new group called Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG) wants to get rid of Prop 4 and are currently collecting signatures to do this. Even though they say they are a “grassroots” group, most of their leaders are well-known Republican officials, including the state Republican Party Chair, Robert Axson, Senator Mike Lee, Attorney General Derek Brown, Former Congressman Rob Bishop and other GOP power brokers. This is not a citizen movement — it’s the political establishment trying to claw back control.

UFRG argues that Utah’s courts are out of control and creating a “constitutional crisis.” That is simply false. The Utah Supreme Court has already upheld Prop 4 as fully constitutional.

What is happening is part of a national strategy. When a party can’t win the U.S. House based on broad public support, they turn to gerrymandering — drawing maps that inflate their power and silence voters. Utah is their next target. Their repeal effort tramples the voices of the more than 500,000 Utahns who voted for fair maps.

UFRG says they want fair maps. But they also insist that only the Republican-controlled state legislature should draw Utah’s maps. This goes against the whole idea of fair maps. They already tried—and failed—to get the courts to remove Prop 4

Take Action

Now, they are trying again with their repeal efforts creating confusion and undermining Utah’s system of representative, accountable government. If left unchallenged, these actions will allow special interests to determine Utah’s political future.

So what can we do now to push back when the State Legislature’s Republican supermajority ignores the will of the people? Decline to sign their petition and discourage others as well!

If you unknowingly signed the UFRG petition you can request to have your name removed. Click here for instructions.

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SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
If you see people collecting signatures to repeal Prop 4, here’s what you can do:

1. Write down what they say.
   Only do this if it’s safe.
2. Write down where you saw them, and the date and time.
3. Look at the petition papers and note the packet number.
4. Notice what kind of place they are standing on:
   • Federal property (like a post office):
   o They are not allowed to collect signatures there.
   o If you can, take a video and send it to the Utah Democratic Party at mail@utdem.org.
   • Private property (like a store or parking lot):
   o Ask if they have written permission to be there.
   o Call the store or property manager to complain if they don’t.
   o If it’s in your neighborhood, ask them questions and use up their time.
   • Public property (like a sidewalk):
   o Tell friends and neighbors so you’re not alone.
   o Stay safe, stay calm, and avoid arguments.
   o Hold simple, clear signs people can read from far away:
    “Decline to Sign”
    “Uphold Prop 4”
    “No Repeal of Prop 4”
    “The People Have Spoken”
5. Pay attention to what the canvassers tell people.
   • Are they clearly explaining that the petition repeals Prop 4 (as the law requires)?
   • Are they paid workers? Are they from out of state?