Yesterday the GPUT received a letter from Michael Cragun, Director of Elections in Utah, acknowledging receipt of a letter our filing officer had sent him and confirming the conversation in the visit our filing officer paid him last week.
Mr. Cragun confirmed that the GPUT will need to submit a new ballot name for its petition when the petition drive is completed (deadline is February 15, 2006) along with the letter from the GPUT that the drive is complete. Until then, we are permitted to conduct the drive using the name Green Party of Utah. (The good news is that the GPUT can continue its drive without starting over.) This is due to the fact that the unaffiliated Beardall group completed its drive first with the name “Green Party of Utah”, and the Utah Election Code is interpreted by the Director of Elections to mean that anyone can conduct a petition drive with any name it chooses and, if it is not a registered party, it can gain ballot access by meeting the requirments of such a drive, as outlined in the election code. It does not matter what history, national recognition, or other legal status of the name and/or group associated with that name. The first group to finish “wins”, in the eyes of the Director of Elections.
The GPUT petition drive is nearly complete. Updates will be posted here on the name issue.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 