UtahH.B. 3612026 General SessionHouse

Elections Provisions Amendments

Sponsored By: Lisa Shepherd (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Election LawVoting and Voter RegistrationGovernment Operations (State Issues)Election AdministrationLieutenant GovernorPolitical PartiesNotice Requirements

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

32 provisions identified: 15 benefits, 1 costs, 16 mixed.

Stricter ID for mail ballots in 2029

Beginning January 1, 2029, a returned mail ballot is not counted unless you provide the last four digits of your Utah driver license or state ID. You may instead give the last four digits of your Social Security number or include a photocopy of an accepted ID; otherwise, vote in person unless exempt. From November 5, 2025 through December 31, 2028, each mailed ballot includes a warning about this rule and that starting in 2029 you will not get a ballot by mail unless you ask for one. Election officers mail ballot packets 21 to 7 days before election day and must include the ballot, return envelope, deadlines, voting‑site info or a website, and how to get ballot‑status alerts. Counties must not mail to inactive voters unless requested. When your address changes, the mailed form must ask if you want ballot‑status texts and whether you want a ballot mailed to you (by November 5, 2025).

More early voting and clear instructions

Early voting sites must be open every day during early voting. For most elections, at least 10% of voting devices at each site must be accessible for people with disabilities. Large counties must spread early voting sites roughly by population. If locations change late, officials must notify the lieutenant governor and post online. Election officers must print and post clear voter instructions (and required translations) and provide sample ballots.

Better early voting info and testing

Election officers must post early voting dates, times, locations, and any changes on the listed websites, phone lines, and addresses. Vote-counting machines must be publicly tested no later than 21 days before election day, after required notice. Machines must show an errorless count before counting begins and again before the canvass. These rules apply beginning May 6, 2026.

Special district elections run with others

Special district board elections occur with municipal or regular general elections, using coordinated polling places when possible. When held with a municipal general election, the district must give notice and use the same filing period as cities and towns. Candidates must file in person during set office hours; agent filing is allowed only if the candidate is out of state for the entire filing period and can appear by video while the agent files in person. District clerks must certify candidate names to county clerks within one business day, and candidates appear in the nonpartisan ballot section or on a separate district ballot if needed. Voters in district elections must be registered in the district (with limited owner‑vote exceptions), and board terms are four years starting at noon on January 1. Districts must pay their share of election costs; irrigation districts pay their own costs.

Stronger post election reports and records

Election officers must give canvassers detailed reports, including candidate totals, precinct counts, audit stats, and explanations for any mismatches. Boards must declare local ballot questions approved if yes votes exceed no votes, and rejected if no votes are more than or equal. Within three business days after results are declared, officers must publish a class A notice telling the public where to get the certified report. Public cast vote records may include de-identified results but cannot include special district contests, precinct numbers, or any voter-identifying info. Officers must store ballots and returns securely for 22 months and may not release the final election results database. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.

Cities and districts can cancel uncontested elections

A city, town, or special district may cancel a local election if there are no contested races or ballot questions. The body must pass a resolution during the set period, certify qualified candidates as elected, and give public notice. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.

Clear rules for special district elections

Special districts must send counties a list of offices up for election by the first business day in February of even years. When a district holds a primary, it must send and publish a 30‑day list of qualified candidates on set April dates; the county may publish if contracted to run the election. For the general election, districts send and publish a 30‑day candidate list on set August–September dates, with the same option for county publishing if contracted. A district may hold a primary if there are more than twice as many candidates as open seats, on the same date as the regular primary. If a district cancels an election, it must notify counties, the lieutenant governor, and voters, and post the cancellation for at least 15 days.

Clear rules for winners and ties

Boards of canvassers declare a person elected or nominated when they receive the highest votes for an office in the board’s jurisdiction. The board must declare a tie when top candidates have the same highest votes or when a recount is needed to decide at‑large seats.

Earlier notices for military and overseas voters

Election officers must meet earlier notice deadlines for military and overseas voters. Required notices go out as early as 100 days before an election, and no later than the last business day at least 45 days before an election, as applicable. After a regular general election, county clerks file their report within 60 days and the lieutenant governor files within 90 days.

Faster removal of deceased voters

The lieutenant governor shares Social Security death data with county clerks. Clerks must remove deceased voters from the rolls within five business days after confirmed notice from listed sources. This speeds roll cleanup starting May 6, 2026.

Full amendment text at polling places

When a constitutional amendment is on the ballot, the county posts the original section with changes clearly marked. Deletions are shown in brackets and insertions are underlined. The ballot question appears after the original text. Two cards are posted in and around each polling place. This begins May 6, 2026.

Hand-compiled results when no machines

If an election does not use automatic tabulators, the election officer must review each counted ballot by hand. The officer must make a cast vote record file in the required format, excluding special‑district ballot data, precinct numbers, and any voter identifiers. The file must be included in the board of canvassers’ report. This applies starting May 6, 2026.

Randomized ballot order across Utah

The lieutenant governor creates a randomized master ballot order within 30 days after the filing deadline in even years. The list is posted within 15 days and all election officers use it for that year. The law sets tie‑break rules based on names and includes rules for joint tickets. Single‑candidate races and judicial retention contests are exempt. This starts May 6, 2026.

Set process for legislative vacancies

When a state House seat is vacant, the governor appoints the person submitted by the prior officeholder’s party liaison. For a Senate vacancy, the governor appoints the liaison’s pick until the next regular general election, with special timing rules if the vacancy occurs near filing deadlines or after the last business day in August. Anyone seeking appointment must file a public conflict‑of‑interest disclosure by the interim report deadline, unless a narrow update exception applies for certain current officeholders.

Standard election notices and candidate lists

The law standardizes when election notices and candidate lists are posted. The lieutenant governor posts a 30‑day statewide notice in November of odd years with offices, filing dates, and petition details, and counties post their 30‑day local versions soon after. Before primaries, the lieutenant governor lists qualified candidates for major offices and counties post their local lists within two business days; unopposed primary races are defined and left off these lists. No later than 32 days before a primary, counties post a notice that runs through election day. Before the general election, the lieutenant governor and counties post 30‑day candidate notices on set August–September dates. Each election notice must list polling places and hours (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.), state that mail ballots begin 21 days before election day, note testing of tabulating equipment, and may not include the election officer’s name. Party liaisons must send convention results by noon the Monday after the convention, and the lieutenant governor forwards them to counties by the next business day. The law also defines what counts as a statewide constitutional office.

Standard local election notices and hours

Municipal clerks must publish which offices are on the ballot and the filing period. During filing days, city recorders and town clerks must keep hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or post phone and email and be available if they usually work under 40 hours a week. County clerks must review school board filings and list a race when more than two candidates file for the same seat.

Standard timelines for city elections

City election officers must tell counties which city offices are on the ballot by the first business day in February of odd years. They must post the office list and the filing period by the first business day in May for 30 days. Within two business days after filing ends, they must certify and post the list of candidates for 30 days. They must also post notices no later than 32 days before city primaries and generals, and certify general‑election candidates by the last business day in August (or within two business days after any recount certification). If a city cancels an election, it must notify counties and the lieutenant governor and post the cancellation for at least 15 days.

Unified filing windows and faster reporting

Regular filing for general election offices runs from 8 a.m. on the first business day in January to 5 p.m. on the fifth business day in January of even years. Municipal filing runs from 8 a.m. on the first business day in June to 5 p.m. on the fourth business day, with a Friday carryover rule. County clerks must send multicounty filing fees and copies to the lieutenant governor within one business day, and give daily filing updates during the window. The law also clarifies who counts as a candidate for elective office under these rules (federal, statewide, multicounty, or county) and excludes municipal and special district candidates. These changes take effect May 6, 2026.

Tougher checks for legal and sheriff candidates

County attorney filers must be U.S. citizens, Utah-licensed attorneys in good standing (or provide bar application proof or an affidavit to comply before taking office), registered voters in the county, and meet residency rules. District attorney filers must meet similar citizenship, licensure or application/affidavit, voter registration, and residency rules in the prosecution district. Sheriff filers must be U.S. citizens, county registered voters, meet law-enforcement training or have a waiver, be qualified for certification, and have lived in the county for at least one year before the election. These checks apply starting May 6, 2026.

Candidate filing fees and waiver option

Beginning May 6, 2026, the filing fee is $50 for local school board candidates. For other federal, state, and county offices, the fee is $50 plus 0.125% of the office’s full‑term salary. A person who cannot pay may file using a sworn affidavit of impecuniosity; the officer can request a financial statement. Lying can lead to criminal charges and removal from the ballot. County clerks must promptly send fees to the county treasurer, and the lieutenant governor apportions certain fees to counties.

Clearer ballots and return envelopes

Ballots and envelopes follow new, clearer formats. Ballots show a standard “Certified by” line with the officer’s title. Starting January 1, 2027, ballots and return envelopes do not show the officer’s name. Manual general election ballots limit party symbols and party labels to cases allowed by law; some cities must show party names when they nominate by convention or committee. Ballots add a website line for judicial retention info and proper write-in spaces, including two lines for joint offices. Return envelopes include a voter affidavit, a place for the last four digits of a Utah driver license, state ID, or Social Security number, a warning note, and contact fields for curing. Most changes take effect May 6, 2026; the name-removal rules apply January 1, 2027.

Candidate disclosures and conflict forms

Municipal candidates must meet filing rules and submit a conflict-of-interest disclosure. Candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, state treasurer, state legislator, and State Board of Education must submit the same conflict disclosure before the filing is accepted. Attorney general candidates must also file a Utah Supreme Court good-standing letter, proof of bar application, or an affidavit promising compliance before taking office, plus a bar number. Filing officers must refund filing fees to disqualified or improperly filed candidates, except presidential candidates. These changes apply May 6, 2026.

Clear deadlines to change party

In even years with a presidential race, the change‑of‑party deadline is the day after the candidate declaration deadline. In other even years, it is April 1. A party change takes effect when the county clerk receives your signed form. If you change on or after the deadline and before the primary, it takes effect the day after the statewide primary canvass. If your last party is no longer registered, the clerk changes you to unaffiliated and notifies you how to update your party.

Clear rules for party primaries

A party skips a primary when it has only one candidate for an office under the law’s paths. Parties must hold a primary when there are multiple candidates under the listed nomination and qualification combinations. In opt-in counties, a party must hold a primary for county commission if more candidates file than open seats or vacancies. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.

Clear rules for petition signatures

Starting May 6, 2026, the director of elections may set rules to verify nomination‑petition signatures using accepted statistical sampling. The rules aim to judge the validity of the whole submission and make submission, checking, and certification more clear and timely. The law also defines the electronic candidate qualification process and points to the exact statutes that apply for qualified and non‑qualified parties.

Local officials must live in district

Elected municipal officers must keep a principal home in the city and in their district for the whole term. With a public vote and comments, the council may allow up to one year away or a second home outside the district if the officer keeps a principal home in the district. A mayor cannot also be recorder or treasurer. A recorder cannot also be treasurer. A county elected officer cannot hold a municipal elected office at the same time.

New party nomination and signature rules

Starting May 6, 2026, candidates seeking a party primary spot must meet clear signature rules. You need signatures from at least 2% of party members in the area, with set counts by office (28,000 statewide; 7,000 U.S. House; 2,000 State Senate; 1,000 State House; State Board of Education is the smaller of 2,000 or 3% of party voters; county offices need 3% of registered voters). Turn in signatures by 5 p.m. on March 31. Election officers verify within 14 days, audit at least 1% of all comparisons, and keep checking until certified signatures reach 110% of the threshold or all are reviewed. For 2026 only, U.S. House hopefuls must file in early January and collect 7,000 valid signatures by 5 p.m. on March 13, 2026.

New rules for candidate signatures

You cannot gather signatures until you file a notice of intent; once filed, you must follow candidate reporting and penalties. Electronic signature collection must use lieutenant governor–approved screens, and officers must check verifier ages and report under-18 verifiers. Officers must post notices of intent online and tell the party and lieutenant governor which members qualify by the day before the convention. Signature packets are due by 5 p.m. at least 14 days before the party convention. A signer may remove their signature by 5 p.m. three business days after submission by sending a compliant statement. These rules begin May 6, 2026.

One-time 2026 dual candidacy option

For the 2026 election year only, a person seeking a party’s nomination for a constitutional, multicounty, or county office may also be a candidate for U.S. Representative and gather signatures. The person must withdraw from the other race before filing the U.S. Representative declaration. This option applies from May 6, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

Party replacement rules for candidates

A party’s central committee may certify a replacement if its candidate dies, resigns, or is disqualified after filing closes but before the lieutenant governor’s certification deadline. The party must certify the replacement before that deadline. A party may not replace a candidate who was disqualified for failing to file required campaign finance reports. This rule starts May 6, 2026.

Qualified party candidates and ballot labels

Starting May 6, 2026, qualified political parties certify their rules to the lieutenant governor and can use nomination paths set in law. Election officers must show the party next to each qualified party nominee’s name on general election ballots and include them on official candidate lists; unopposed candidates may be left off primary ballots. Parties must certify nominees by the legal deadline, and candidates must use the standard declaration form. Convention candidates must file in person and pay the fee (or file a valid inability‑to‑pay affidavit). Multicounty district attorney candidates file with the clerk named in the interlocal agreement. A lieutenant governor running mate must file and include a letter from the gubernatorial candidate naming them.

Stricter residency rules for city officials

A person elected to city office must be a registered voter in that city. A city office becomes vacant if the officer moves their main home outside the district, stays at a secondary home or is absent outside the district for more than 60 straight days, or fails to answer a residency check within 30 days. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Lisa Shepherd
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Ronald M. Winterton
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 1

House vote • 3/6/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 63 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0