SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A controversial proposal that would fundamentally change the way Utahns vote by mail cleared its first legislative hurdle on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
H.B. 300, titled “Amendments to Election Law,” would allow voters to receive ballots in the mail but would require that ballots be returned in person at a polling center with ID. Polling centers in each county would be required to staff ballot boxes to check those IDs.
However, the bill would allow voters to opt-in if they wanted to use the US Postal Service to return their ballot after showing ID to their county clerks. It would also have carve-outs for overseas voters and other “legal reasons” as acceptable for voters to return ballots through the mail.
The proposal is estimated to cost all of Utah’s local counties more than $6 million in ongoing funds, and more in one-time funds, according to its fiscal note, which specifies it would be for “additional equipment, staff, and travel costs.”
One lawmaker brought up concerns over an increase in property taxes if the proposal wasn’t funded. Others in opposition spoke about concerns over the homebound or disabled and their ability to be able to vote.
“Voting electronically for the handicapped is already (provided for) in code,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jefferson Burton (R – Utah County), who is also the chair of the House Government Operations Committee where the bill was debated. “This bill is not going to negatively impact those who don’t have the physical ability to get into a polling location.”
Those who supported the bill cited concerns over signatures not being a secure way to verify ID and the number of ballots needing to be “cured” — a process where the voter is contacted to fix their signature.
“People want voter ID, they want to mail it in, and they want results in a day. I think this bill answers those three things,” said the committee vice chair Rep. Michael Peterson (R – Cache County).
Rep. Candice Peiurucci (R – Salt Lake County) argued that 65% of Utahns are already dropping off their ballots at a dropbox.
“This is not an unrealistic change that we are making,” Peiurucci said. “I have to get out my ID and Costco card to buy a hot dog and soda — I don’t think it’s unrealistic to ask our voters to provide a photo ID.”
She also took issue with the fact that Utah is the only red state among the eight states that vote entirely by mail.
Rep. Andrew Stoddard (D- Salt Lake City) tried to propose holding the bill, arguing that because Burton committed to a new version with “wholesale” changes, he didn’t want the committee to be a “rubber stamp” for the bill as is.
Burton promised that the bill would be in “very good shape” once it hits the floor.
Ultimately, the bill passed out of committee 9 to 4, and is headed to a full House vote. However, it may be headed for a showdown with the Senate, whose leaders have signaled they don’t support the requirement to return a by-mail ballot in person.
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