GOP chair says enough signatures gathered to put Prop 4 repeal on ballot

Leaders of Utahns for Representative Government say they have exceeded signature requirements to put the repeal before voters this November.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Leaders of Utahns for Representative Government, the group behind the effort to overturn Proposition 4, claim they have gathered enough signatures to put the repeal on the ballot this November. However, state election officials have not yet confirmed the numbers. Proposition 4, approved by voters in 2018, created an independent redistricting commission and set rules intended to prevent gerrymandering.

Why it matters

The effort to repeal Proposition 4 has drawn scrutiny, with multiple voters reporting they felt misled about what they were signing. This has led to an uptick in requests to remove signatures. The outcome of this ballot measure could have significant implications for how political districts are drawn in Utah.

The details

Large bins filled with signature packets were delivered to the Salt Lake County clerk's office ahead of the 5 p.m. deadline on Friday. Utah GOP Chair and Utahns for Representative Government co-founder Rob Axson said they have submitted well over 200,000 signatures across the state, exceeding the threshold requirements in each Senate district. County clerks now have 21 days to verify the signatures.

  • Proposition 4 was approved by voters in 2018.
  • The signature gathering effort concluded on Friday, February 16, 2026 at 5 p.m.
  • County clerks have 21 days to verify the signatures.

The players

Utahns for Representative Government

The group at the helm of the effort to overturn Proposition 4.

Rob Axson

The Utah GOP Chair and co-founder of Utahns for Representative Government.

Better Boundaries

The group behind the legislation that created Proposition 4.

Lannie Chapman

The Salt Lake County Clerk.

Chris Null

A volunteer signature gatherer and Republican candidate for Salt Lake County Council District Five.

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What they’re saying

“We have well north of 200,000 signatures that we have submitted across the state. We know the threshold requirements in each of the Senate districts. We have exceeded those.”

— Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair and Utahns for Representative Government co-founder (KSL)

“Voters spoke clearly when they passed Proposition 4, and we respect the democratic process that made that possible. We are closely monitoring the signature-gathering effort and will continue to do so as the Lt. Governor's office completes its verification. Regardless of the outcome, our organization remains committed to upholding the will of the voters and will take every appropriate step to ensure their decision is honored.”

— Better Boundaries (KSL)

“We have seen an uptick in people requesting to have their signature removed. They can either come into our office or any of the county clerk's offices throughout the state. We also have the form available online. You can fill it out. We have to have a wet signature, so we need that form printed and either mailed to us or brought in in person.”

— Lannie Chapman, Salt Lake County Clerk (KSL)

“The constitution requires that the legislature draw the maps, but under the current Proposition 4, the legislature is not able to do that, and that the judge has imposed a map that is highly democratic leaning, and it's not representative of Utah.”

— Chris Null, Volunteer signature gatherer and Republican candidate for Salt Lake County Council District Five (KSL)

“I ask them, 'Do you know exactly what it is you're signing?' Quite often, people will say it's for Proposition 4. I tell them, 'no, this is to rescind Proposition 4, to take the power away from the people who voted for it.'”

— Bob Barr, Salt Lake City resident (KSL)

What’s next

County clerks will begin verifying the signatures on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, after the Presidents' Day holiday.

The takeaway

This ballot measure effort has sparked concerns about potential voter confusion and the integrity of the signature gathering process. Regardless of the outcome, it highlights the ongoing debate over gerrymandering and the role of independent redistricting commissions in Utah.