chloe
06-22-2010, 07:53 PM
June 22nd, 2010 @ 6:35pm
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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Supreme Court said Tuesday that state election officials must accept online petition signatures to qualify individuals for the ballot.
This ruling is the first of its kind nationwide. It promises to make it easier for candidates and causes to use the Internet as part of the political process.
"A signature under (Utah law) does not require a signor to physically handle a piece of paper and sign her name with a pen," justices said in a 15-page ruling issued as voters went to the polls for primary elections. "An electronic signature is sufficient to satisfy the election code."
"The highest court in the state has spoken, and we'll abide by it," Lt. Gov. Greg Bell said.
Anderson v. Bell
The case is Anderson v. Bell, as in independent candidate Farley Anderson versus Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.
In March, Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell rejected a nominating petition from Farley Anderson, an independent gubernatorial candidate, saying state law did not allow for e-signatures.
Anderson gathered the 1,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot -- something not required of major party candidate -- but more than 150 of those signatures were collected online.
In its unanimous ruling, the court said Bell's decision "exceeded the bounds of discretion" afforded his office. The ruling orders signatures submitted by Anderson be recounted to determine whether he qualifies for the November ballot.
"The point is, we didn't know, we didn't have a ruling," Bell said. "The highest court in the state has spoken, and we'll abide by it." "This is a win for everyone in our state," Anderson said. "We're setting a precedent for the entire nation to follow. I'm so well pleased I could pop a button." Decision could influence nation
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11270601
<!-- ===================[ STORY BODY : RICH TEXT ]================= -->
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Supreme Court said Tuesday that state election officials must accept online petition signatures to qualify individuals for the ballot.
This ruling is the first of its kind nationwide. It promises to make it easier for candidates and causes to use the Internet as part of the political process.
"A signature under (Utah law) does not require a signor to physically handle a piece of paper and sign her name with a pen," justices said in a 15-page ruling issued as voters went to the polls for primary elections. "An electronic signature is sufficient to satisfy the election code."
"The highest court in the state has spoken, and we'll abide by it," Lt. Gov. Greg Bell said.
Anderson v. Bell
The case is Anderson v. Bell, as in independent candidate Farley Anderson versus Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.
In March, Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell rejected a nominating petition from Farley Anderson, an independent gubernatorial candidate, saying state law did not allow for e-signatures.
Anderson gathered the 1,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot -- something not required of major party candidate -- but more than 150 of those signatures were collected online.
In its unanimous ruling, the court said Bell's decision "exceeded the bounds of discretion" afforded his office. The ruling orders signatures submitted by Anderson be recounted to determine whether he qualifies for the November ballot.
"The point is, we didn't know, we didn't have a ruling," Bell said. "The highest court in the state has spoken, and we'll abide by it." "This is a win for everyone in our state," Anderson said. "We're setting a precedent for the entire nation to follow. I'm so well pleased I could pop a button." Decision could influence nation
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11270601