Clean Elections for UtahPage last updated: Friday, 02-Oct-2026 23:38:05 EDT
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Ballot InitiativeThe Ongoing Problem of Voter Status The 2022 SLCO GOP Investigation of SLCO 2020 Election Data 2024 Primary Irregularities 2024 General Shenanigans Utah Signature Gathering Irregularities
Background Prior to 2024
Utah parties allow voter signature gathering as a pathway on to the primary ballot. Candidates pay signature gatherers to collect signatures for them. The number of valid voter signatures required to qualify for the ballot depends on the position for which a candidate runs. (Click here for a history of Utah's nominating process.)
Signatures are collected in packets. If a race is confined within a county, that county clerk would perform the task of verifying signatures collected for a candidate whose race is within that county. If the position for which a candidate seeks elected office crosses county boundaries, those signatures would be handled in the office of the Davis County clerk.
Signature gatherers may gather signatures for multiple candidates. A gatherer might have a voter sign a packet for a local candidate and have the same voter sign a packet for a statewide candidate. The two signatures are verified by different clerks.
In 2023, Bruce Hough ran for the special Congressional District 2 election. Utah law stipulated that signature gatherers can be paid by verified signature or by the hour. Hough's hired campaigner incorrectly paid gatherers for gross amount of signatures. Internet Archive KSL News Radio, Dec 23 2023
In 2024, numerous people were charged with fraud, forgery, and improperly collecting signatures for the 2023 special election. KSL News, Apr 5 2024
2024 Primary
For statewide positions, the required number in 2024 was 28,000. Since this was the governor position for which he was seeking reelection, Spencer Cox needed 28,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for the primary ballot.
In response to requests by observers of the signature gathering process for candidates, Michael Clara started to investigate the gathering process for Governor Spencer Cox, who was running for reelection. He found out so much information that he has been documenting his discoveries in a video series on his Youtube channel - @DonMiguelSLC
2024 Jul 18 - Michael Clara versus Washington County (Part 1). Phil Lyman / Natalie Clawson are intervening parties.
2024 Aug 02 - Michael Clara versus Washington County (Part 2). With Lieutenant Governor candidate Natalie Clawson before the State Records Committee versus Washington County attorney
2024 Aug 17 - Spencer Cox Signature List Cover Up
Michael has quite a story to tell - maybe 16 hours of it! Cox did not qualify for the primary. He has researched this problem since spring of 2024 and is still doing so. Get caught up on Youtube: @DonMiguelSLC.