This release is online at https://greenpartyofutah.org/news/
For immediate release
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Contacts:
Russell Wagstaff, Green Party of Utah Co-Chair
Dee Taylor, Green Party of Utah Co-Chair greenpartyutah@gmail.com, (385) 275-6002
Utah State Records Committee Supports Green Party’s Request for Voter Information
Salt Lake City, UT – On August 26, 2024, the Green Party of Utah (GPUT) received notification from the Utah State Records Committee that their appeal to obtain voter registration records was granted. This decision underscores the critical importance of access to voter information for smaller political parties and raises questions about the necessity of high fees for such records. It highlights the need for reasonable accommodations within the democratic process.
Russell Wagstaff, a Co-Chair of the GPUT, commented: “The Green Party’s victory is a triumph for grassroots democracy in Utah. This success paves the way for greater political diversity in Utah and beyond.”
Initially, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office sought to impose a fee of $1,050 for the voter registration records specific to Green Party members in Utah. The Committee deemed this fee unreasonable, particularly for a small party with limited financial resources. Consequently, they ruled that the full dataset must be provided at no charge if it is not feasible to filter the records to include only Green Party registrants.
Lionel Trepanier, a Grassroots Coordinator of the GPUT, stated: “There are numerous barriers impeding democratic processes, especially for smaller political parties. With this decision, Utah is leading the way. The GPUT’s recent victory represents a significant step towards more inclusive and accessible elections in Utah.”
This case may establish a precedent for future disputes over record fees and could impact how government agencies balance revenue generation with the public’s right to access information essential for democratic engagement.
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Green Party of Utah 