From Richard Winger at Ballot Access News:
Last year, the Utah legislature passed a bill that requires all qualified parties to alter their nomination process. The Republican Party does not like the new law and had filed a federal lawsuit against the new system on December 1, 2014. Utah Republican Party v Herbert, 2:14cv-876.
Last month, the Utah Constitution Party intervened in the lawsuit on the side of the Republican Party. The old law, practically speaking, permits the Constitution Party to nominate by convention. The new law would permit anyone, even someone who is not a member of the party, to submit a primary petition signed by 2% of the party’s members. If that petition succeeds, the party would be forced to nominate by primary for that particular office. The Constitution Party’s amended complaint explains how that would potentially injure the party.
We also advocate for party nominations via privately funded party conventions and an end to publicly financed primary elections.