4 constitutional amendments on this year's Utah ballot

SALT LAKE CITY — Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will be asked to consider four constitutional amendments and, depending on where they live, also weigh various propositions involving tax increases and other ballot issues and questions from local governments.

The issues range from counties seeking additional funds for new construction of various facilities to changes in government, to approval of a new township or library system and expanding recreational centers.

While individual ballots may already seem long due to changes that put every municipal justice court judge up for retention votes this year, Utah's Director of Elections Mark Thomas said it is all important enough to consider well before Election Day.

"Any time you're talking about changing our state constitution, that's a big deal," he said. "Taking the time to read up on the issues and ask questions where you don't understand is very important."

With the number of issues on the ballot this year, Thomas encourages voters to visit www.vote.utah.gov or study the Voter Information Pamphlet that has been sent to households where registered voters live. Still, he said, generally the same voters turn out every year, regardless of the issues at hand, and he'd like to see that change — especially in a year when results might lead to tax increases.

"Constitutional Amendment A" modifies the scope of the secret ballot requirement, saying that all elections, including those for employee representation and within businesses or union presidencies, shall be by secret ballot. Current provisions state similar requirements, but they may be unclear, according to the information pamphlet approved by Utah's Constitutional Revision Commission.

Proponents of amendment A, including Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, and Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, have argued that the secret ballot method ensures that voting choices are confidential, keeping individuals free from discrimination and debate.

However, opponents say that the amendment is "a misguided and cynical attempt to nullify a legislative proposal pending in Congress that seeks to modernize and reform one aspect of our labor laws," writes Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, and Sen. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake City. "You are being asked to forever close the door on the democratic right of employees to collect signatures as a means of organizing and choosing a representative to be their voice in negotiations with their employer."