A proposed Utah constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot would require 60% voter approval for citizen-led tax initiatives, replacing the current simple majority.

Amendment B, placed on the ballot by the Utah Legislature, covers initiatives that create new state or local taxes, expand existing taxes, increase tax rates or limit property tax rate reductions. State Sen. Lincoln Fillmore of District 17 sponsored the measure as Senate Joint Resolution 2 during the 2025 legislative session, ABC4 reported.

A similar proposal was considered for the 2024 ballot but was not placed before voters.

The Taxpayer Shield PAC, which backs the amendment, is supported by Republican leaders including Fillmore. Rusty Cannon of the Taxpayer Shield PAC told ABC4 on Monday, Sept. 28 that the amendment is straightforward. "It says that any citizen-led ballot initiative that raises taxes or imposes a new tax simply requires 60% to pass. That's all it does," Cannon said.

Opponents see it differently. Utahns Protecting Our Constitution, a political issues committee, launched a statewide campaign against the measure the same day. The group said Amendment B would permanently and unnecessarily rewrite Utah's constitution, weakening citizens' ability to hold government accountable.

In 2018, three citizen-led initiatives passed by slim majorities. Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana, both of which included tax increases, each won roughly 53% of the vote. Under a 60% threshold, neither would have passed, according to ABC4's analysis.

Money is flowing on both sides. Utahns Protecting Our Constitution has raised more than $200,000, including nearly $23,000 from the Democratic Policy Institute and $25,000 from Utahns for Responsive Government, an organization tied to Better Boundaries. Cannon claimed opponents have raised more than $590,000 total, though that figure comes from his statement, not an independently verified disclosure.

Opponents including Better Boundaries and Mormon Women for Ethical Government argue the Legislature has already made the initiative process harder through tougher signature-gathering requirements. Supporters counter that the higher threshold prevents large out-of-state donors from swaying Utah tax policy.

A Noble Predictive Insights poll released in late September showed Utahns split: 50% would support the change, 21% opposed it, 23% were unsure and 6% said they would not vote on it.

Ballots go out Oct. 13. Election Day is Nov. 3.