Even though election season is over, pressure on Utah election officials isn’t about to let up. In the wake of a contentious election that sowed more scrutiny on voting, Utah lawmakers are gearing up to consider changes to the state’s election system,

Utah Republican policymakers are focused on voter confidence ahead of the 2025 legislative session following an election year that highlighted intraparty division over ballot access and mail-in ballots.

“He was always willing to be civil in discussion, and he would get as passionate as anybody else,” Nakamura said. “But then, at the end of the meeting, he would want to go have a beer with somebody, because he always understood that it was the issue; it wasn’t the person.”

This legislative session, several Utah lawmakers will introduce bills trying to change or repeal SB54 — legislation that created two ways for candidates to land on the primary ballot.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Phil Lyman's challenge to the primary process used by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. Lyman said he will keep fighting.

Lawmakers will take up issues like higher education and how to help Trump with his plan to deport migrants in the country illegally who commit crimes.

Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore last week introduced a resolution in support of a constitutional amendment designed to restore states' authority to regulate campaign finance laws. The announcement came just days before the anniversary of the infamous Citizens United Supreme Court ruling.

Aside from illegal immigration, Utah House Republicans plan to focus on tech education, taxes, elections and more during the 2025 legislative session.

“Requiting photo ID when you return your ballot in the mail or ensuring that election results are reported more quickly on Election Day or by election night… Voter confidence grows under those scenarios, in significant ways,” said Sutherland Institute Chief Growth Officer Derek Monson.

Several proponents of Utah's dual path to qualify for a party primary discussed potential reforms to the law aimed at limiting the influence of money in campaigns.

The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Phil Lyman’s long-shot lawsuit to disqualify Gov. Spencer Cox from the 2024 primary election.

Once again, Utahns can be thankful that the judicial branch of their government has come to their rescue,” writes The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board.