What Is SJR2 in Utah? A Voter's Guide to the 2026 Ballot Initiative
Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2) is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on Utah's November 3, 2026, ballot. It would amend Article VI, Section 1 of the Utah Constitution to require 60% voter approval — rather than a simple majority — for citizen initiatives that raise tax revenue. If SJR2 passes, an initiative that raises taxes could receive a majority of votes and still fail, allowing a minority of just over 40% to block it. Supporters describe this as a consensus requirement for tax increases, while critics describe it as ending majority rule in favor of minority rule. The amendment would not change the simple-majority vote the Legislature uses to raise taxes. This means that if SJR2 passes, the legislature can raise taxes for their causes more easily than the people could through the initiative process.
What Would SJR2 Do?
Right now, citizen initiatives are required to pass with a simple majority — that means an amendment passes if just more than 50% of voters support the question. If SJR2 passes, that would change. Any future initiative that affected taxes would need to clear 60% to pass, meaning that just more than 40% could block any law. This is minority rule. The people in favor can outnumber the people opposed — and still lose. Read more about the arguments for and against minority rule here.
SJR2 Could Have Unintended Consequences
SJR2 impacts more initiatives than those that simply raise a tax rate. Its language also reaches initiatives that increase "the amount of revenue collected," a broader category than a tax increase. Depending on interpretation, initiatives not commonly regarded as tax initiatives could fall under the 60% requirement because of a revenue effect.
SJR2 sets the 60% rule. Other state laws decide whether an initiative counts as one that raises taxes. Under a 2025 law, a state office called the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst studies each initiative and figures out how it affects tax money. The Legislature gets to decide how the tax rule is applied. How widely they choose to apply it would decide how many initiatives have to clear the 60% bar. In other words, SJR2 hands the legislature the ability to decide whether any given initiative must pass with a simple majority or 60%.
How Could SJR2 Affect Citizens' Ability to Use Ballot Initiatives?
SJR2 hands the legislature the ability to decide which measures need to pass with a simple majority (50%+1 vote), or 60% (meaning that just over 40% of voters could block a measure). The text of the measure suggests that it only applies to questions that raise taxes, but the application could be far more broad. Voters won’t know the full impact of the measure until after it is enacted, inserting additional uncertainty to the citizen-initiated legislative process in Utah.
When Will Utahns Vote on SJR2?
SJR2 will appear on the November 2026 general election ballot, alongside races for Congress, the state legislature, and other state and local offices.
What Does a "Yes" or "No" Vote Mean?
A "yes" vote adds the 60% approval requirement for tax-revenue-raising citizen initiatives to the Utah Constitution, replacing the simple majority and allowing just over 40% of voters to block such an initiative. A "no" vote retains the current system, under which all statewide citizen initiatives, including those that raise tax revenue, take effect by simple majority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I vote early on Amendment L?
Yes. South Dakota offers early voting options. Because hours and locations can vary by county and election cycle, check South Dakota's Secretary of State website directly for current early voting information.
How do I make sure I'm registered to vote on Amendment L?
Check your voter registration status well before the election — especially if you've moved or haven't voted in recent cycles. Visit South Dakota's Secretary of State website for current registration deadlines, requirements, and to confirm your registration is active.
What would Measure 1 change?
It would make it significantly harder for constitutional amendments to pass. Under the current system, a majority of North Dakotans can approve a constitutional change. Under Measure 1, a minority of just over 40% could block an amendment even if most North Dakotans supported it. When you look at actual voter turnout, the number of North Dakotans who could overrule an amendment is actually even smaller—more like 20%. Imagine a scenario where 1 in 5 people control a vote, even if 4 out of 5 want something different to happen—that's what could happen if Measure 1 passes.
Does a supermajority requirement apply to all elections?
No. Some apply only to citizen-initiated measures, not to legislatively referred measures. Some supermajority requirements apply only to constitutional amendments, not to statutory ballot measures. The specifics vary significantly from state to state.
Is a supermajority requirement the same as minority rule?
In practice, any supermajority threshold gives a minority coalition the power to defeat a majority-supported measure. The higher the threshold, the greater the power of the minority. If 60% is required for passage, a blocking coalition needs only 40% of voters plus one vote to be successful
What is the main argument for a supermajority requirement?
Proponents argue that important decisions — such as changes to a state constitution — should reflect a very broad social consensus rather than a narrow majority.
What is the main argument against a supermajority requirement?
Critics argue that supermajority requirements create minority rule by allowing a smaller group of voters to block policies supported by a majority, undermining the core democratic principle that the side with more votes wins.
