CHAPTER 2.69
LOCAL OPINION QUESTIONS

SECTION:

2.69.010: Purpose

2.69.020: Submission Of Opinion Questions To The Voters

2.69.030: Opinion Question Number, Short Title, And Notice

2.69.040: Voter Information Pamphlet

2.69.050: Ballot Form

2.69.060: Time And Manner Of Voting

2.69.070: Canvass Of Returns

2.69.010: PURPOSE:

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a process whereby nonbinding opinion questions may be submitted to the legal voters of Salt Lake City. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)

2.69.020: SUBMISSION OF OPINION QUESTIONS TO THE VOTERS:

   A.   A nonbinding opinion question may be submitted to the legal voters of Salt Lake City as provided in subsection A1 or A2 of this section.

      1.   If an initiative proposed pursuant to section 20A-7-501 et seq., Utah Code Annotated, as amended or its successor, is found to be legally sufficient based on the number of legal signatures obtained, but is determined by the city to be invalid because the subject matter of the initiative, if passed, would not result in a city law, the sponsors of the initiative may request that the city recorder submit the matter to the legal voters of the city as an opinion question as provided in this chapter.

      2.   The city council may, by resolution, request that an opinion question be submitted to the legal voters of the city as provided in this chapter. The resolution shall include the language of the opinion question as it will be submitted to the voters.

   B.   If a nonbinding opinion question is initiated as provided in subsection A of this section, the city recorder shall take action necessary to submit the opinion question to the legal voters of Salt Lake City as provided in this chapter.

      1.   If the request is made pursuant to subsection A1 of this section, the opinion question submitted to the voters shall be as shown in the initiative petition circulated by the petition sponsors.

      2.   If the request is made pursuant to subsection A2 of this section, the city recorder shall conform to the requirements of the resolution adopted as provided in that subsection.

   C.   The mayor may establish additional requirements not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter to facilitate submission of opinion questions to the voters. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)

2.69.030: OPINION QUESTION NUMBER, SHORT TITLE, AND NOTICE:

Within sixty (60) days after a nonbinding opinion question is initiated as provided in section 2.69.020 of this chapter, the city recorder shall:

   A.   Give the opinion question a number;

   B.   Prepare a short title that summarizes the subject matter of the opinion question; and

   C.   Cause the opinion question, its number, and short title to be shown on a ballot, as provided in section 2.69.050 of this chapter, which shall be published:

      1.   On the city's website;

      2.   On the Utah public notice website created in section 63F-1-701, Utah Code Annotated; and

      3.   In at least two (2) Salt Lake County newspapers. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)

2.69.040: VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET:

   A.   The city recorder shall prepare a voter information pamphlet that meets the requirements of this section. The pamphlet shall be made available to the voters by mail, electronically, or any other method or combination of methods designed to give all voters access to the pamphlet at least twenty (20) days prior to the time when an opinion question will be submitted to the voters.

   B.   Within twenty (20) days after notice of an opinion question is published as provided in section 2.69.030 of this chapter a statement, not exceeding five hundred (500) words supporting or opposing the opinion question, may be submitted to the city recorder by:

      1.   The sponsors of an opinion question initiated as provided in section 2.69.020 of this chapter, and

      2.   A person opposed to the opinion question. If more than one person submits a statement in opposition, the city recorder shall, by drawing lots, select an opposition statement.

      3.   Any statement submitted shall identify the author thereof.

   C.   The city recorder shall include the statements provided pursuant to subsection B of this section in the voter information pamphlet. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)

2.69.050: BALLOT FORM:

   A.   An opinion question ballot shall contain:

      1.   A number and short title;

      2.   The text of the opinion question; and

      3.   a.   The words "FOR" and "AGAINST", each word presented with an adjacent square in which the voter may indicate the voter's choice; or

         b.   All possible responses to the opinion question, each response presented with an adjacent square in which the voter may indicate the voter's choice.

   B.   Each ballot shall be identical notwithstanding whether it is presented to a voter in print or electronic form. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)

2.69.060: TIME AND MANNER OF VOTING:

   A.   Within sixty (60) days after public notice is published as provided in section 2.69.030 of this chapter, the city council shall, by resolution, establish the time when an opinion question will be submitted to the voters and the method by which it will be accomplished. Such methods may include voting by mail, telephone, electronically, or a combination thereof.

   B.   The recorder shall submit the opinion question ballot to the voters as provided in the resolution of the city council. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)

2.69.070: CANVASS OF RETURNS:

   A.   No later than fourteen (14) days after the close of voting on an opinion question, the city council shall meet at the usual place of meeting to canvass the returns from an opinion question. The council shall declare the results of the opinion question submitted, including the total number of votes for and against the question.

   B.   The city recorder shall make a certified abstract of the record of the canvassers detailing the votes cast on the opinion question.

   C.   The mayor may resolve any issues relating to the canvassing process that are not governed by this section. (Ord. 76-12, 2012)