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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A new bill proposed in the Utah legislature would seek to make big changes to how voters return their mail-in ballots during the election.
H.B. 300, otherwise known as Amendments to Election Law, would require voters returning a mail-in ballot to return it in person and show ID when dropping it off. The amendments would require drop-off locations to be manned by two poll workers who would verify voter IDs.
Sponsored by House Rep. Jefferson Burton (R), the bill does carve out some exceptions for overseas voters and “other legal reasons.” Voters may also apply with the Lt. Gov.’s Office for designation to vote by mail without an in-person drop-off.
Critics of H.B. 300 argue the bill could disenfranchise voters who would have to take an extra step of taking their ballot back in. However, House Speaker Mike Schultz (R) said the bill strikes a good balance between convienence and security.
Schultz said a recent audit found there were over 1,400 dead people on voter rolls in Utah, 700 of which got ballots and two of which reportedly voted. He also said the audit revealed 500 people had two different voting roll IDs, meaning they would have the opportunity to vote twice, and Schultz said at least three did.
“There’s big concerns, I think with not showing ID,” said Schultz. “That’s the key component to this. We think it’s a good combination and strikes the right balance.”
The amendments to mail-in voting allow for a 10-day window to return the ballot. Schultz said most Utahns would be driving by a polling location within that window anyway, which he said would allow for a more secure election without sacrificing convenience.
“The more we can do to secure our elections and to make sure there is voter confidence is a good thing,” explained Schultz. “I don’t think it’s that big of a step to ask to go show your ID and drop it off. If you don’t want to, you can still opt in to vote by mail.”