UT HJR005

HJR005 - Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Judicial Nominations

• Allows the Governor to appoint any qualified candidate to fill judicial vacancies, regardless of whether they appear on the Judicial Nominating Commission's list of nominees
• Makes requesting a list of nominees from the Judicial Nominating Commission optional rather than mandatory for the Governor
• Eliminates the current 30-day deadline for the Governor to make judicial appointments
• Removes the Chief Justice's authority to fill judicial vacancies if the Governor fails to act within the prescribed timeframe
• Requires voter approval at the next general election, with a contingent effective date of January 1, 2027