SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah’s Republican Party plans to challenge last month’s decision by a federal appeals court that upheld a state law overhauling how political parties nominate candidates.
The state GOP on Monday announced it has hired attorney Gene Schaerr, who lead the state’s unsuccessful defense of a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month said the 2014 law balances the state’s interest in managing elections while allowing political parties and residents a way to express their political choices.
Utah’s GOP argued the law allowing candidates to bypass GOP nominating conventions and instead participate in a primary is unconstitutional.
The lawsuit was the party’s second unsuccessful attempt to challenge the law.
Utah GOP member Don Guymon says the party will request a hearing before the full appeals court, known as an “en banc” review.
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