SB11 gets preliminary approval, would help clerks verify signatures on petitions

County clerks would have an easier time verifying the signatures on initiative petitions under a bill given preliminary approval by the Senate Thursday.

SB11, sponsored by Senate Asst. Majority Whip Beverly Evans, R-Altamont, allows petition signers to include their birthdates in addition to their addresses.

Sen. Ed Mayne, R-West Valley City, questioned whether the change would make the initiative process harder on Utahns.

"I've seen over the years we've made it more and more difficult for citizens to get issues on the ballot," Mayne said. "I hope this isn't another roadblock to that.

The bill was approved 27-0-2 and will advance for a final vote of the Senate.