Utah Republicans aim to overhaul election processes, starting with mail-in voting changes. A new bill mandates voters to opt-in for mail ballots and provides specific identification requirements for ballot return. Concerns about election security and potential voter disenfranchisement are raised by some lawmakers, while Governor Cox underscores the importance of maintaining trust in the electoral system.
The Republican leadership in Utah is initiating a significant overhaul of the state’s election system, beginning with proposed changes to the universal mail-in voting process. Recently, the House passed a bill by a vote of 57-15, which would require voters to opt in to receive their ballots via mail, rather than automatically receiving them. Starting next year, voters will also need to provide the last four digits of their driver’s license or state ID number to return ballots by mail or at drop boxes.
This proposed change marks a shift in Utah’s voting practices, as the state is one of only eight in the United States that currently allows all elections to be conducted by mail without an opt-in requirement. House Speaker Mike Schultz expressed dissatisfaction with being grouped with states like Washington and California, emphasizing, “As a conservative state, that is not a list I am proud to be part of.” The bill will now move to the Senate, where Republican leaders were involved in negotiations for its current version.
Initially, a version of the bill mandated in-person appearances to return mail-in ballots. However, Senate leaders insisted on a more streamlined approach, stating, “We want voting as easy as possible without cheating, but we also wanted to make sure that we enhanced security,” as noted by Senator Mike McKell. This compromise aims at maintaining accessibility while bolstering election security.
Despite reassurances of the system’s integrity, some Republicans continue to harbor concerns over election security following unfounded allegations of fraud that surfaced after the 2020 election. Recent legislative audits found no significant evidence of fraud but did reveal delays in updating voter rolls concerning deceased individuals. House Minority Leader Angela Romero criticized the proposed changes for potentially disenfranchising vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, low-income, and rural voters, who might find navigating the new restrictions challenging.
Nationwide, 36 states require voters to present identification, with Utah currently mandating two forms of ID for registration but not requiring photo ID for voting. Opposition to the proposed changes came from all House Democrats and one Republican representative, Jim Dunnigan, who argued that the current system does not need fixing and that the changes might undermine voter trust.
Utah voters have generally favored mail-in voting, with a significant number utilizing ballot drop boxes. Election staff verify signatures on returned ballots against official records. Governor Spencer Cox reassured the public regarding election security, stating, “We have complete integrity in our elections” while also indicating willingness to adjust mail-in processes to ensure quicker results, noting, “I think one of the areas where we start to lose trust is when there isn’t a decision on Election Night.”
The proposed legislation would require that all ballots be received by county clerks by 8 p.m. on Election Day, contrasting with the current regulation allowing ballots postmarked by the day before Election Day to be counted over a two-week period afterward. Additional election reforms under discussion include restructuring the role of the lieutenant governor as the chief elections officer and limiting same-day voter registration, as well as altering procedures related to citizen ballot initiatives. These moves are reflective of a broader trend among Republican-led states post-2020 elections.
In summary, Utah Republicans are proposing significant changes to the state’s voting system, notably transitioning from universal mail-in voting to an opt-in model. The reforms aim to bolster perceptions of election security but could inadvertently complicate the voting process for many citizens. Concerns from legislators about disenfranchising certain voter demographics highlight the potential impact of these changes. The outcome of these legislative efforts remains to be seen as they progress through the Senate.
Original Source: apnews.com
