Utah Republican 2024 Primary Election Challenge
Halvorsen et al v. Cox et al
An anti-voting lawsuit seeking to undermine the results of Utah’s 2024 GOP primary elections.
Background
Six Utah citizens filed a lawsuit in federal court against state elected officials, the Utah Republican Party, and state institutions challenging their role in a “racketeering enterprise” to disenfranchise certain Republican nominees. The lawsuit arises from a 2014 state law requiring political party nominating processes and conventions to allow for a delegate vote process, signature-gathering, or both, for a candidate to qualify for a primary election. Plaintiffs allege Gov. Spencer Cox (R), who was lieutenant governor when the law became effective, intentionally misconstrued the law to “force a direct primary to give a ‘second chance’ at the [state party’s] nomination” for those who obtained the required number of signatures, but did not receive over 60% of the delegate votes. Plaintiffs allege Cox’s “second chance” interpretation was meant to benefit him and his preferred candidates in the primary process.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the U.S. Constitution, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and federal law. Plaintiffs seek to block the ‘second chance’ law, declare offices held by the governor, lieutenant governor and others who benefitted from the signature method vacant, and to have their chosen candidates instated into the respective offices and automatically slated as the nominee for the 2026 elections.
Why It Matters
This lawsuit represents yet another attempt by Republicans to interfere with voters’ right to select their own candidates – this time within the GOP itself. In 2024, GOP candidate for Utah governor Phil Lyman failed in a similar lawsuit challenging the results of the June 2024 primary election. Lyman argued that he received over 60% of the delegate votes and therefore should’ve automatically been selected as the Republican nominee.
Latest Updates
- Nov. 5, 2025: Plaintiffs filed a motion to join the United States as plaintiffs.
- Oct. 14, 2025: Plaintiffs filed their petition and a motion for a preliminary injunction.