Utah's top elections officer says he won't allow the state Republican Party to enforce new party rules attempting to kick out candidates in two congressional districts who attempt to gather voter signatures to become the party's nominee.
Republican Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox told KUER-FM that he won't allow someone to remove another person from their political party.
The new rule was pushed by a conservative faction of the state GOP that's been fighting against a law allowing candidates to bypass party conventions and instead compete in a primary election by gathering signatures.
The measure approved by the party's Central Committee only applies to Utah's 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts.
GOP chairman Rob Anderson said in a statement Tuesday that the change is null because it violates the party's constitution and state law.
