Gov. Jon Huntsman should schedule the referendum vote on school vouchers for Nov. 6, this year's municipal election date. And he should urge the Legislature to repeal an incomplete auxiliary voucher bill that has muddied the issue. Voters should have a single, clear choice on vouchers, and that decision should stand.

The law going on the ballot creates tax-funded vouchers to help public-school students pay tuition at qualifying private schools. Immediately after it passed, opponents began circulating a referendum petition to put it to a vote.

The lieutenant governor's office has certified 124,218 of the more than 131,000 signatures collected; 92,000 were required. The overwhelming success of the petition drive shows how strongly Utahns oppose this law. That should convince Huntsman to stick to his original position that the referendum vote be held as soon as possible, and to step in to end wrangling over the second voucher bill.

Voucher proponents say the second bill could stand alone to get the program started despite the referendum, but opponents say that's a shaky legal position, since that bill was passed only to amend the original. The State Board of Education will have to vote on that issue, and its decision will be challenged in court.

Republican legislative leaders and the governor now favor a Feb.5, 2008, referendum vote to coincide with the Western States Presidential Primary because, they say, that statewide election is fully funded. But the added cost is merely an excuse for putting off the vote. We suspect our pro-voucher governor and legislators believe a referendum vote a full year after the petition drive, on a day when most Utahns aren't accustomed to voting, stands a better chance of being defeated.

Huntsman should put aside politics and place the issue on his special session agenda. The Legislature should then repeal the second voucher bill so voters can simply repeal or affirm the original law.

Utah's Constitution is clear that citizens have a right to reject a law by referendum. Playing politics with the law by placing hurdles in front of this referendum is indefensible. Huntsman should heed public concern and put a stop to it.