Unity Party aims for a place on Utah ballot

SALT LAKE CITY — A national political party described as "not right, not left, but forward," has announced an effort to earn a place on Utah's 2012 general election ballot for its candidates.

The Unity Party, which claims members in 27 states, said it will begin collecting the required 2,000 voter signatures in Utah after this November's general election.

The party has until February 2012 to meet that goal, according to Mark Thomas, office administrator for Lt. Gov. Greg Bell. The deadline to qualify for this year's ballot has passed.

The party's national chairman, Bill Hammons of Colorado, said he is "personally excited to witness the party's continued expansion and development here in the West."

— Lisa Riley Roche