Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox recently signed a bill into law that will phase out the state’s universal vote-by-mail system. Under the new law, registered voters will have to opt in to receive a mail ballot instead of automatically receiving one, starting in 2029. This marks the first time a state has rolled back a universal mail-in voting policy. Utah is the only solidly Republican state among the eight states with a universal mail ballot system. The move is seen as part of a wider trend among Republicans seeking to advance voting restrictions.
The law also changes the deadline for when a ballot must be sent in, requiring election officials to only count ballots received before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Critics of the new law argue that it will make it more difficult for voters, especially in rural areas, to cast their votes.
Gov. Cox has praised the bill as “brilliant” and claims it will help to “restore trust” in the elections system. However, voting rights advocates have voiced concerns about the impact of the new law. Chris Diaz from the Voting Rights Lab stated that the changes are likely to restrict voters’ freedom and flexibility in casting their votes.
With this change, Utah is no longer among the states using a universal mail-in ballot system, joining Nevada, Colorado, Washington, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington D.C. Critics argue that these changes will disproportionately affect rural voters and make it more difficult for them to participate in the electoral process.
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