Utah's 2026 Ballot: Amendments A & B and the Justice Pohlman Retention Vote

In this solo episode, host Charles Max Wood walks through the three statewide items on Utah's November 3, 2026 ballot. He starts with how constitutional amendments get on the ballot and the history of Utah's initiative process, from its adoption in 1900 through the 2018 redistricting initiative (Prop 4), the legislature's replacement of it, and the Utah Supreme Court's 2024 rulings. He then covers Amendment B, which would require 60% voter approval for initiatives that raise taxes, and Amendment A, which would let constitutional amendments be published on the state's public notice website instead of in newspapers in every county, laying out the arguments on each side and where he leans. He also explains the retention vote for Justice Jill Pohlman and how voters can evaluate a judge's opinions. He closes with key dates and why he recommends using a county drop box. 00:00 Welcome and Overview 02:05 How Constitutional Amendments Pass 02:50 History of Utah's Initiative Process 05:08 The National Initiative Movement 08:09 The 1998 Wildlife Supermajority 09:23 Prop 4 and Redistricting 12:09 The 2024 Supreme Court Ruling 13:35 Amendment D and the Newspaper Rule 14:20 Amendment B: 60% for Tax Initiatives 17:59 Arguments Against Amendment B 19:14 The Case for Amendment B 20:40 Amendment A: Publishing Amendments 22:43 Do Newspapers Still Matter? 26:11 Justice Pohlman Retention Vote 28:50 How to Evaluate a Judge 31:09 Questions to Ask About Any Measure 32:29 Key Dates and Deadlines 33:19 Why to Use a Drop Box 35:21 Read, Check and Vote