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Show ELECTION AND SUFFRAGE ARTICLE REVISION (Passed March 12, 1975) A joint resolution proposing to Amend Article IV of the Constitution of the State of Utah; Relating to elections and right of suffrage; Amending Section 2 to decrease the minimum voting age to 18 years in all elections and reducing the durational residency requirements for voting; Amending Sections 3, 4, 5, and 6, to Replace Electors by Voters; and Amending Section 7 to remove the reference to property qualifications to vote. Those words in italic are being eliminated andor replaced with the underscored words. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Utah, two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two houses voting in favor thereof: Section 1. It is proposed that Article IV of the Constitution of the State of Utah be amended to read: Sec. 1. The rights of citizens of the State of Utah to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex. Both male and female citizens of this State shall enjoy equally all civil, political and religious rights and privileges. Sec. 2. Every citizen of the United States, l.years of age or over, who makes proper proof of residence in this state for 30 dayjnext preceding any election, or for such other period as required by law, shall be entitled to vote in the election. Sec. 2. Every citizen of the United States, twenty one years of age or over, who has been a legal resident of this state for six months and of the county for sixty days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote in the election, except that in a presidential election year persons who make proper proof of residence in this state for thirty days immediately preceding the last voter registration day may register and vote for a president and vice-president of the United States only. Sec. 3. In all cases except those of treason, felony or breach of the peace, electors voters shall be privileged from arrest on the days of election, during their attendance at elections, and going to and returning therefrom. Sec. 4. No elector xalSL shall be obliged to perform militia duty on the day of election except in time of war or public danger. Sec. 5. No person shall be deemed a qualified elector voter of this State unless such person be a citizen of the United States. Sec. 6. No idiot, insane mentally incompetent person or persons convicted of treason, or crime against the elective franchise, unless restored to civil rights, shall be permitted to vote at any election, or be eligible to hold office in this State. Sec. 7. No property qualifications shall be required for any person to vote or hold office. Sec. 7. Except in elections levying a special tax or creating indebtedness, no property qualification shall be required for any person to vote or hold office. Sec. 8. All elections shall be by secret ballot. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of any machine or mechanical contrivance for the purpose of receiving and registering the votes cast at any election: Provided, that secrecy in voting be preserved. Sec. 9. All general elections, except for municipal and school officers shall be held on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November of the year in which the election is held. Special elections may be held as provided by law. The terms of all officers elected at any general election, shall commence on the first Monday in January next following the date of their election. Municipal and School officers shall be elected at such time as may be provided by law. Sec. 10. All officers made elective or appointive by this Constitution or by the laws made in pursuance thereof, before entering upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity." Section 2. The secretary of state is directed to submit this proposed amendment to the electors of the State of Utah on November 2, 1976 in the manner provided by law. Section 3. If adopted by the electors of this state, this amendment shall take effect on January 1, 1977. |