Davis County voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether citizen-led ballot initiatives that raise taxes should need 60% approval instead of a simple majority.

Amendment B, a proposed change to the Utah Constitution, appears on every Davis County ballot in the Nov. 3 election. Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie certified the measure on Aug. 31. A "For" vote raises the threshold. An "Against" vote keeps it at 50% plus one.

The Utah State Legislature placed Amendment B on the ballot after passing Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR 2) during the 2025 session. The Senate approved it 21-8 and the House 55-17, according to Weber County Hive. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, sponsored the measure in the Senate, and Rep. Jason Kyle carried it in the House.

The amendment applies only to citizen initiatives that impose a new tax, expand an existing tax, increase a tax rate or prevent a property-tax rate from dropping as much as current law requires. It does not change the threshold for tax bills passed by the Legislature. It does not apply to referendums or local city and county initiatives.

Supporters say it guards against tax hikes

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) sent mailers statewide and launched digital ads urging a "Yes" vote, as Fox 13 reported. Heather Andrews, AFP's Utah director, said the higher bar protects residents from costly surprises.

"A 60% threshold, we feel like, protects individuals from ballot initiatives funded by out of state groups trying to impose their priorities on Utah," Andrews told Fox 13 on Friday, Oct. 9.

U.S. Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, endorsed the amendment on Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to ABC4. Fillmore and Kyle said in a joint statement that the measure protects the initiative process and reflects a simple principle: raising neighbors' taxes should require broad support from those neighbors.

Taxpayer Shield PAC, backed by Fillmore, is leading the campaign in favor.

Opponents call it a power grab

Better Boundaries, the group behind the 2018 independent redistricting initiative, launched a TV ad on Friday, Oct. 9 declaring the amendment "a power grab by politicians."

Elizabeth Rasmussen, Better Boundaries' executive director, told Fox 13 the measure would shift a fundamental constitutional right from voters to the Legislature. She said it fits a pattern, pointing to the Legislature's 2024 attempt with Amendment D to limit initiative power.

Utahns Protecting Our Constitution, a committee opposing the amendment, raised more than $200,000 for its campaign, ABC4 reported. Donors included the Democratic Policy Institute at nearly $23,000 and Utahns for Responsive Government at $25,000.

Poll finds half of voters in favor, large undecided bloc

A Noble Predictive Insights poll released in September found 50% of respondents supporting the change, 21% opposed and 23% unsure, according to ABC4. Six percent said they would skip the question.

In 2018, three citizen initiatives passed statewide, and none reached 60%. Proposition 3, which expanded Medicaid, won 53.32% of the vote. Proposition 2, legalizing medical cannabis, earned 52.75%. Proposition 4, creating a redistricting commission, passed with 50.34%. Under a 60% rule, all three would have failed.

If Amendment B passes, it takes effect Nov. 23.

Davis County ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters can find drop-box locations and candidate information at DavisCountyElectionsUtah.gov or by calling 801-451-3213.