The Utah Legislature is currently reviewing more than 80 bills related to the state’s election system. Some of the proposed changes include altering the vote-by-mail system, setting new deadlines for voter registration, creating runoff elections, and establishing a conflict of interest officer to oversee elections. One bill aims to make Election Day in Utah a state holiday.
One bill, HB300, sponsored by Republican Rep. Jefferson Burton, would require voters to opt-in to vote by mail every eight years starting in 2028, instead of automatically receiving a ballot. It also includes a requirement for voters to write down the last four digits of a valid form of identification on their ballot.
Another bill, HB445, proposed by Republican Rep. Doug Fiefia, seeks to eliminate same-day voter registration and move the registration deadline to 21 days before Election Day. Fiefia argues that this change would allow county clerks to process ballots and release results faster.
Additionally, HB231, introduced by Rep. Jordan Teuscher, aims to establish runoff elections between the top two candidates if no candidate receives over 50% of the vote in a primary election.
Republican Rep. Ryan Wilcox has proposed HB369, which would create an Elections Oversight Task Force to make recommendations on improving election administration and oversight. The bill also establishes a conflict of interest officer to oversee elections if the lieutenant governor is on the ballot.
Finally, Wilcox’s HB351 seeks to make Election Day a commemorative holiday in Utah. While it would not provide a day off for voters, it would recognize the importance of the day.
Lawmakers have until March 7 to finalize their decisions on these election-related bills for the 2025 legislative session.
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