Box Elder County community explores options to put 'Stratos' issue on the ballot

Residents of Box Elder County, Utah, are actively pursuing options to challenge the proposed "Stratos" data center project by seeking to place the issue on the ballot for a public referendum. This move comes as the state begins its review of applications related to the controversial development. According to Box Elder County Clerk Marla Young, applications for a referendum have previously been filed and subsequently withdrawn. For the initiative to proceed, more sponsors are needed before a new application can be officially moved forward. If the application successfully reaches the ballot, it would likely be categorized as a land use referendum. Such a county-wide land use referendum in Box Elder County would require a substantial number of signatures. State code mandates signatures from 16% of all active voters, in addition to securing support from at least 75% of the county's voting areas. Local reports suggest this translates to approximately 5,400 signatures needed within five business days of a resolution being passed. The current group of sponsors faces a deadline of Monday at 5 p.m. to file their paperwork. The "Stratos" project has been described as highly contentious, and a county-wide referendum of this nature would be a significant and potentially unprecedented event for Box Elder County, according to Clerk Young.