This weekend marked the memorial for Charlie Kirk, which was attended by thousands, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and numerous other dignitaries. Political commentators are speculating about the impact Kirk and legislative actions on signature gathering will have on politics and elections.
A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics survey revealed that 73% of Americans believe the assassination will have an impact on national politics. 81% of Utahns believe there will be some impact on local elections. Half of the respondents were familiar with Kirk. Does the tragic death of Kirk impact politics, and how?
Cowley: The assassination of Charlie Kirk impacted the lives of many and will surely be evoked on the campaign trail. My hope is that his death will not be used to score political points or assign blame for all our nation’s shortcomings to one party or the other, but rather that his life and legacy will be used to inspire and uplift all Americans.
Charlie believed that open, civil debate would stretch someone’s perceptions into new understanding. I encourage all candidates to approach this upcoming election cycle with Charlie’s optimism for the future of our country and his open invitation to opposing views.
Pignanelli: “Results show that assassinations affect political institutions and conflict.” — Benjamin F. Jones and Benjamin A. Olken, Kellogg School of Management
In my lifetime, the assassinations of high-profile figures have altered the trajectory of politics and elections. Multiple books and movies conjecture a different world with a two-term John F. Kennedy presidency. The killing of his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, shifted the 1968 elections. The murders of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King intensified the momentum in the civil rights movement. Also, the survival of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump from attacks likely enhanced their popularity.
The deep affection and respect for Kirk among conservatives were evident in the last two weeks. Their frustration with his death and unsympathetic comments from some will energize the right. This could influence budget negotiations and lead to a government shutdown. There will likely be an impact on the redistricting battles in Utah.
History documents that the effects of abrupt changes caused by violence can last for many years.
The Legislature is moving forward with a proposal to encourage the utilization of electronic signatures for initiatives, referendums and candidates’ primary petitions. How will this impact elections and political involvement?
Cowley: Electronic signature gathering has been available to candidates and initiative organizers since 2023, but none has utilized it. Rep. Jordan Teuscher’s proposal would phase out paper packets, leaving electronic as the only option. Other states have piloted similar technologies and reported favorable outcomes.
Should this proposal succeed, paper ballots would be replaced with iPads. Signatures would still be witnessed in person (a link cannot be posted online or shared electronically), meaning signature-gathering firms aren’t going away. Lastly, signature gatherers would have to scan signers’ IDs. This final provision is the most significant. Scanning IDs would significantly reduce fraud and allow for real-time verification; however, getting someone to hand over their ID isn’t easy and may have a chilling effect on the number of individuals willing to sign.
Some argue costs for signature gathering may be lower, but if voters are more reluctant to scan their ID, signature-gathering firms will likely charge more for their services. I am less compelled by arguments for cost savings. Our founders prioritized secure elections, not cheap ones, but I applaud measures that make political involvement more accurate and secure.
There will always be glitches and vulnerabilities with technology, but this concept is a move in the right direction for election integrity. Furthermore, if Utah requires an ID to sign a petition or signature packet, we should have the same requirement for voting.
Pignanelli: I spent the first half of my life using a landline telephone and hold dear to some traditional methods. The marvels of 21st-century technology abound, and the potential for reduced costs helps candidates of lesser means. Not surprisingly, this curmudgeon is more comfortable with the old ways.
Although candidates and ballot measure sponsors use signature-gathering firms, human interaction occurs between those seeking approval and those who provide written consent to the verbal request. Requiring a “pen to paper” enhances this exchange. I understand the electronic version requires signatories to scroll through initiatives and referendums. But I hold the perception that a bulky document alerts the citizen to pay heed.
How will these factors and others impact the cost of elections?
Cowley: The union referendum, redistricting and Amendment D all have the attention of out-of-state groups looking to protect or upend Utah’s red wall. If congressional districts shift, incumbents will have entirely new swaths of voters to ingratiate themselves with, while challengers may see opportunities that didn’t exist before.
Rarely before has Utah been at the center of discussions regarding congressional control, but now it’s center stage. All of these factors will result in Utah’s most expensive election cycle yet for candidates up and down the ballot.
Pignanelli: High-stakes control of the U.S. House of Representatives and restrictions on legislative interference with initiatives guarantee the attention of national special interest groups. Hopefully, a slew of unimaginative television commercials sloppily created by overpaid consultants will be avoided.