UtahS.B. 1642025 General SessionSenateWALLET

Modifications to Election Law

Sponsored By: Wayne A. Harper (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Election LawVoting and Voter RegistrationAdministrative Rulemaking and ProceduresGovernment Operations (State Issues)Election AdministrationNew Rulemaking Authority

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

98 provisions identified: 39 benefits, 26 costs, 33 mixed.

Felony risk for prohibited corporate donations

A political issues committee's primary officers face a third-degree felony for knowingly or recklessly accepting a prohibited corporate contribution. This applies when the corporation formed less than 90 calendar days before the general election and has not filed its required statement of organization.

Election watchers face signer privacy limits

Election watchers cannot record candidate signature-packet activities. They can take notes, but those notes cannot include signer names or other identifying details. Watchers also cannot disclose candidate-qualification signature counts or identifying information about signers. Breaking the disclosure ban is a third-degree felony.

Absent candidates can submit residency evidence

Candidates for offices with a required residency period can submit evidence that they intended to return to Utah during an absence. This option applies after an absence exceeding 180 calendar days during that residency period. Candidates must submit the evidence when filing their declaration of candidacy.

Clearer registration deadlines and voter notices

County clerks must process correctly completed registration forms received through designated agencies 11 calendar days before the election. The law removes the former 5 p.m. cutoff for these forms. This rule covers registration, not preregistration. Clerks must send notice of acceptance, rejection, or return within 30 calendar days after processing a registration form.

Electronic petition signers get certification deadlines

County clerks must certify qualifying electronic petition signatures within seven calendar days after valid voter identification is submitted. The signer must be eligible, and the identification must match information on file. The signature-gatherer must also complete the required verification on time.

Military and overseas voters get ballot deadlines

Without a Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act waiver, officials must send covered voters their ballots at least 45 calendar days before election day. Voters must have submitted valid military-overseas ballot applications by the applicable deadline. If the mailing deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, officials must send ballots by the preceding business day. Officials must prepare federal write-in absentee ballot election notices at least 100 calendar days before most elections. For statewide or local special elections, notices must be prepared as soon as practicable.

Voter rolls get pre-election removal protections

County clerks must review and update voter rolls at least 90 calendar days before each primary and general election. The lieutenant governor must compare received death records with voter rolls 90 calendar days before those elections. During the 90 calendar days before regular primaries and general elections, clerks generally cannot remove voters. Removal remains allowed when a voter requests it in writing or dies.

Voters get birth-year sharing limits

Qualified recipients of voter records can share voters' birth years only with specified groups. These include listed government personnel, health care providers, insurers, financial institutions, political parties, candidates, and associated personnel. Recipients must use the information only for purposes allowed for their category.

Voters get more time for ballot fixes

Voters given provisional ballots because their identification was not accepted can present valid identification through office closing on the Monday after election day. A Monday holiday moves that deadline to the next business day. Identification goes to the county clerk’s office or an election officer administering the election. For eligible ballot fixes, the affidavit or required contact and identity check must finish by noon on the last business day before the canvass. This replaces 5 p.m. three days before the canvass. For late ballots or problems that cannot be fixed, notice is due 30 calendar days after rejection or election day, whichever is later.

State employees get one extra day

Beginning May 7, 2025, each Utah state employee can select one additional Personal Preference Day. Scheduling follows rules from the Division of Human Resource Management. A coordinating provision allows use for a state holy day or another chosen observance only if S.B. 259 also becomes law.

Workers protected from election threat displays

During the 90 calendar days before an election, employers cannot display certain election-related threats where employees work or visit for work. The ban covers threats of specified harmful job consequences based on whether a particular candidate or ticket wins.

Advance ballot information for Utah voters

Election officers must make sample ballots available at least 45 calendar days before an election. They must publish the sample ballot, or directions for finding it, for at least seven calendar days. Drop-box notices must start at least 28 calendar days before the election and remain published for at least 28 days. Legally allowed late drop-box changes require notice as soon as reasonably possible. The specified county and printed election notices must be provided for at least seven business days before election day.

Agencies face voter record processing deadlines

The Driver License Division must electronically send voter-registration forms and address changes by a set deadline. Public assistance and other designated registration agencies must also send registration forms by that deadline. It is the first business day at least five calendar days after receipt. The lieutenant governor must enter other relevant voter information into the statewide system within 31 calendar days. Separate schedules apply to information from the Driver License Division, state registrar, Department of Corrections, and other states.

Appointed prosecutors get a residency option

An appointed county or district attorney who is serving and seeks election can use a stated residency alternative. The attorney must become a resident of the relevant county or prosecution district within 30 calendar days after appointment.

Approved local initiatives get enactment deadlines

After a court resolves conflicts among voter-approved local initiatives, the local legislative body must proclaim the results within 10 calendar days. It must proclaim all initiatives found not to conflict. Among conflicting initiatives, it must proclaim the one with the most yes votes. An approved initiative with no stated start date takes effect five calendar days after the county legislative body's official vote proclamation.

Backup appointments fill local government vacancies

The governor must fill a municipal executive or council vacancy when the municipality fails to follow the lieutenant governor’s directive. The governor must publicly seek candidates and appoint someone within 45 calendar days after receiving notice of that failure. For elected special district seats, a backup appointment process applies after the district board leaves a vacancy unfilled for 90 calendar days. That public-notice process generally assigns the appointment to the county or municipality that created the district. Infrastructure financing districts use a separately specified appointing body.

Counties face firm election preparation deadlines

Counties must report precinct changes to the Utah Geospatial Resource Center within 30 calendar days. Shared polling places for two or more whole precincts must be designated at least 90 calendar days before the election. Election-service agreements can set advance request deadlines in calendar days. Officers must possess prepared ballots at least seven calendar days before early voting starts. For local elections without party labels, officers must appoint poll workers at least 15 calendar days before the election.

County vacancies follow appointment and election deadlines

Party liaisons generally submit interim nominees by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least 30 calendar days after notice. Without notice, the deadline is the first business day at least 40 calendar days after the vacancy. County officials have seven calendar days for required follow-up actions. For vacancies with less than two years left, or at least two years left but 65 calendar days or less before the next regular general election, counties must notify the party liaison within 10 calendar days. The county must appoint within seven calendar days after nomination; if it misses that deadline, the governor must appoint within 10 calendar days. Election procedures for vacancies with at least two years left include deadlines at least 180, 70, 60, and 65 calendar days before applicable elections. Party certifications, unaffiliated nominations, and write-in filings must have deadlines no later than 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 65 calendar days before the general election. The deadlines must give unaffiliated and write-in candidates an equal chance at ballot access.

Deadlines for checking and withdrawing signatures

County clerks must count and certify valid candidate nomination signatures within 30 calendar days after submission. A signer can submit a statement asking the county clerk to remove their signature. The deadline is 5 p.m. three business days after the candidate submits the packet.

Election fine recipients get longer payment

People fined under the election-law chapter get more time to pay, without changing the fine amount. Payment is due by 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 30 calendar days after imposition.

Election maps face review and correction

County clerks must submit approved voting precinct maps within five business days after county approval. The Utah Geospatial Resource Center must review congressional and State Board of Education district maps within 30 calendar days after receipt. Clerks must correct and resubmit maps found to be wrong. Counties and cities changing local school board district boundaries must send an accurate map to the center within 10 calendar days.

Election officials coordinate ballot handling safeguards

County clerks must contact local post offices at least 90 calendar days before elections they administer. They must coordinate prompt ballot delivery and proper postmarks or other marks showing mailing dates. Utah's director of elections can set rules for signature-comparison audits and records tracking who handles election materials.

Faster public access to voting records

Election officers must record required voting-history information and make it public within one business day after receiving it. Copies must be available at the actual cost of producing or copying them.

Firm deadlines for preparing ballot information

Unless another law provides otherwise, certified ballot titles must arrive before 5 p.m. at least 65 calendar days before the election. For legislative ballot questions, the lieutenant governor must certify the title and ballot letter or number at least 65 days before. Full text must be published between 60 and 14 calendar days before the election. In even-numbered years, the lieutenant governor must create the master ballot position list within 30 calendar days after candidate filing ends. The list must be published within 15 calendar days after creation.

Governor can declare extra legal holidays

Beginning May 7, 2025, the governor can declare additional legal holidays when extraordinary conditions justify them. A declaration can cover only designated businesses or activities. Each holiday can last up to 60 consecutive days, with renewals of up to 30 days each. The governor can also end a holiday early by proclamation.

Local election results follow review deadlines

Covered county, municipal, and special district election boards must canvass returns seven to 14 calendar days after the election. Municipal boards can add up to seven calendar days when needed to complete a required instant runoff recount. Officials must publish the certified election report within seven calendar days after results are declared. The report must remain published for at least seven calendar days.

Municipal candidates get set filing hours

City recorders and town clerks must offer candidate filing access from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding weekends and state holidays. Offices normally open fewer than 40 hours weekly can instead post contact details and remain available through them during those hours.

Officials must collect missing election records

Election officers must send a messenger for precinct returns still missing seven calendar days after the election. Reports for county, municipal, school, special district, and local special elections must reach the lieutenant governor within 14 calendar days. Clerks must send checked voter registers to county clerks within 10 calendar days after the canvass of covered November elections. These include municipal, special district, bond, and special elections. If county returns remain missing five calendar days before the state canvass meeting, the lieutenant governor must send a messenger demanding a certified report.

Primary runners-up can replace local candidates

For local offices with nonpartisan primaries, election officers fill qualifying candidate vacancies with the next highest-vote candidate who missed advancement. The vacancy must occur after the primary, with remaining candidates no more numerous than the open positions. It must occur before August 31 for county offices. For other offices, the cutoff is 65 calendar days before the general election.

Prompt decisions after conflicting voter measures

The governor must issue a required proclamation within 10 calendar days after a court reviews conflicting initiatives approved together. For conflicting referendum laws, a qualified voter who signed the petition can seek court review. Within 10 calendar days after the court's order, the governor must identify which approved laws remain in effect. Nonconflicting laws remain, and among conflicting laws, the one with the most affirmative votes remains.

Prosecutor appointments get backup deadlines

These county or district attorney appointment rules cover jurisdictions with at least 15 qualifying registered Utah Bar members. Members must be licensed, active, and in good standing. The rules apply with less than two years left, or at least two years left but 65 calendar days or less before the next regular general election. The party committee must submit three nominees within 30 calendar days after notice, and the county must appoint within 45 calendar days after the vacancy. If the county misses its deadline, the governor must appoint from those nominees within 30 calendar days after receiving the clerk's letter.

Public audits check candidate petition signatures

Election officers must audit 1% of candidate petition signature comparisons against voter signatures on file. Officers cannot audit their own work. They must record who performed audits and the results, make results public, and take needed corrective action.

School board vacancies get appointment deadlines

Local school boards have 30 calendar days to fill a vacancy, or 45 calendar days when a member dies. After that, the applicable legislative body fills the seat. An interim appointment is followed by an election for a two-year term when two timing tests are met. Notice must arrive at least 14 calendar days before the candidate filing deadline. Two years must also remain after the first Monday in January following the next school board election.

Small-area prosecutor vacancies get application deadlines

A separate process covers prosecutor vacancies in jurisdictions with fewer than 15 qualifying registered Utah Bar members. Members must be licensed, active, and in good standing. Attorneys seeking consideration must respond by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least 10 calendar days after the clerk sends the vacancy letter. If more than three apply, the committee's nomination deadline is the first business day at least 20 calendar days after receiving applications. Regardless of applicant count, if the county has not appointed within 120 calendar days after the vacancy, the governor must appoint within 30 calendar days after receiving the clerk's letter.

Utah clarifies election deadlines and holidays

Election deadlines stated in days mean calendar days unless another rule applies; business-day periods exclude nonbusiness days. Court rules control deadlines for filing court actions or documents. Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah's legal-holiday calendar includes Juneteenth and every Sunday. Sunday is not a holiday when calculating the 45-day legislative general session. The law's coordinating provision adds Easter Sunday only if S.B. 259 also becomes law.

Voters can track candidate petition signatures

By January 1, 2026, voters must have access to primary-candidate petition results on Utah's ballot-tracking website. It covers petitions they signed during the past six months. Results must appear within one business day of signature review and explain any rejection. Election officers must also keep checking submitted signatures after a candidate meets the required total. Checking stops when 110% of the required total is certified or all submitted signatures are reviewed, whichever comes first.

Voters can use recent utility bills

Voters using the two-document identification option can use a utility bill, or a clear copy, as one document. It must show the voter’s name and residence in the voting precinct. The bill must be dated within 90 calendar days before Election Day.

Voters get deadlines for district decisions

Affected parties can submit written requests about uncertain congressional district boundaries or a person's district assignment. The lieutenant governor must decide those requests within five days. For State Board of Education district questions, the decision is due by the first business day at least five calendar days after receipt.

Voters get scheduled ballot measure information

The lieutenant governor must post all voter pamphlet content online between 75 and 15 calendar days before voting begins. The director must submit impartial initiative and referendum analyses to the lieutenant governor at least 90 calendar days before the election. Legislative leaders must submit analyses of measures sent to voters by the Legislature by that same 90-day deadline.

Watchers gain access and election schedules

Registered or preregistered Utah voters who register as watchers can observe candidate signature packets, including receipt, handling, checks, and signature removals. Officials must provide fair access within six feet, subject to safety, ballot security, secrecy, and statutory exceptions. County clerks must post ballot-processing hours starting at least three calendar days before mailing ballots through the first canvass day. Schedules cover the next three calendar days, with changes posted at least 24 hours ahead. Officials must publish vote-counting equipment test times and places at least 10 calendar days before testing.

Yes-or-no votes for some unopposed prosecutors

Some regular general election ballots must ask voters whether the sole county or district attorney candidate should be elected. This applies where the county or prosecution district has three or fewer registered voters who are active, licensed Utah State Bar members in good standing.

Firm cutoff for in-person party changes

In-person party-affiliation forms must reach the county clerk's office by 5 p.m. on the last business day before the applicable deadline. In presidential-election years, that deadline is the day after the candidate filing deadline. In other even-numbered years, it is April 1.

Bad-faith candidate claims face timing rules

The law defines the 60-calendar-day pre-election timing rule for bad-faith petitions about candidates appearing on that election’s ballot. It applies when a reasonable person would not view the claims as describing a significant Utah election-law violation.

Ballot issue committees face reporting deadlines

Political issues committees must report each contribution to the lieutenant governor within 31 calendar days. Committees receiving or spending at least $750 yearly also face reports before covered events. Reports are due seven calendar days before party conventions, primary elections, incorporation elections, and municipal and regular general elections. They are due at least three calendar days before required public hearings and five calendar days before petition packet deadlines. After a filing correction notice, committees have seven calendar days to comply; failure brings a $1,000 civil fine and a class B misdemeanor.

Ballot issue groups face disclosure deadlines

Political issues committees formed after the annual registration deadline must register after reaching $750 in issue-related contributions or spending. Filing is due by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least seven calendar days afterward. Committees without a dissolution notice must electronically report primary-officer changes within 10 calendar days. Notices identify the departing officer’s name and title and the new officer’s name, address, occupation, and title. Contributions received within 30 calendar days before an initiative or referendum signature-submission deadline must be reported within seven business days.

Campaign reports face review and correction

The lieutenant governor must review school board campaign summary reports and labor organization financial statements within 60 calendar days after filing deadlines. Judges' summary reports must be reviewed within 30 calendar days. After discovering a possible violation or receiving a written complaint, notice is due by the first business day at least five calendar days later. School board candidates and labor organizations have seven calendar days after notice to file or correct their reports. Judges have 14 calendar days.

Campaigns must give away anonymous donations

Political issues committees, school board candidates, and judges cannot keep certain anonymous campaign donations over $50. The rule covers cash and negotiable instruments, such as checks, from unknown sources. Within 31 calendar days, school board candidates and judges must give the money to a qualifying 501(c)(3) charity. Political issues committees may give it to a qualifying charity or a state or local government general fund.

Campaigns must transfer anonymous donations away

State office and legislative candidates must transfer unknown-source cash or negotiable-instrument donations over $50 to a 501(c)(3) charity within 31 calendar days. Political action committees have the same threshold and deadline, but can also transfer the money to a government general fund. Legislative officeholders must send qualifying anonymous contributions or public service assistance to a government general fund or 501(c)(3) charity.

Candidates and officeholders must correct reports

The lieutenant governor must review state office and legislative candidate summary reports within 60 calendar days after their filing deadlines. For candidate and officeholder reporting violations or written complaints, notice is due by the first business day at least five calendar days afterward. Recipients have seven calendar days after notice to file or correct their reports. Officeholders who miss that correction deadline face a class B misdemeanor and a $100 civil fine.

Candidates face January and June filing windows

Candidates seeking office through a qualified political party at the next regular general election begin filing at 8 a.m. January 2. If January 2 is not a business day, filing starts the next business day. Municipal declarations and nomination petitions follow the same start-time rule beginning June 1 of the election year. Each window closes at 5 p.m. on the fourth business day after it begins. Municipal filings must be made during the filing officer's office hours.

Candidates face timed interim financial reports

State office and legislative candidates generally file interim reports seven calendar days before specified conventions or elections. Midterm-vacancy candidates follow special schedules, including seven- or two-calendar-day deadlines where applicable. State office vacancy candidates with less than seven days’ notice must file by 5 p.m. on the last business day before the meeting. Reports use a five-calendar-day financial cutoff; state office candidates and officeholders must include checks received more than five calendar days before filing. For legislative interim reports, direct deposits count as received on the earliest specified awareness or notice date, or 31 calendar days after deposit.

Corporations face political spending report deadlines

Corporations reaching $750 in annual political-purpose spending or spending on current or proposed ballot issues must file the required reports. Deadlines include seven calendar days before state conventions and the regular primary and general elections. Designated reports count spending through five calendar days before their deadlines. The lieutenant governor must review statements within 60 calendar days after filing deadlines. Notified corporations have seven calendar days to file or correct statements; failure carries existing criminal and civil penalties.

Corporations must disclose certain political gifts

Corporations created less than 90 calendar days before a general election must register before election-related contributions to political action or political issues committees. Corporations must give reporting entities written notice of noncash contributions within 31 calendar days. Notice is due within seven business days for gifts made within 30 calendar days before a recipient candidate’s contested convention or election.

Election ads face defined reporting coverage

Communications worth at least $10,000 count as electioneering communications when they clearly identify a candidate or judge. They must appear within 45 calendar days before that person’s election. Covered media include the internet, newspapers, magazines, outdoor ads, direct mail, broadcast, cable, and satellite. This classification places covered communications under electioneering-communication requirements.

Independent election spenders must report spending

Anyone making at least $1,000 in independent election spending during an election cycle must report it to the chief election officer. The report is due within 31 calendar days after reaching that amount. Each additional $1,000 in spending not previously reported triggers another report within 31 calendar days.

Judicial campaigns face deadlines and fines

Judges or their campaign committees must report each contribution within 31 calendar days after the judge receives it. Each late contribution carries a 10% fine if reported within 60 calendar days after the reporting deadline. The fine is 20% if it is not reported within that period. Judicial retention campaign committees must also file interim reports seven calendar days before the regular general election. Reports cover contributions and spending through five calendar days before the filing date.

Local referendum sponsors face filing cutoffs

Sponsors challenging a local law must file their referendum application by the first business day at least five days after passage. Electronic referendum signature gathering must stop at 5 p.m. 45 calendar days after the first three sponsors receive notice that the law can legally go to voters.

Officeholders face conflict disclosure deadlines

State constitutional officers, legislators, and State Board of Education members taking office after January 10 must post conflict disclosures online. They have 10 calendar days after taking office. Covered officeholders receiving a correction notice from the lieutenant governor have seven calendar days to file or amend their disclosure. Missing that deadline remains subject to a $100 civil fine and a class B misdemeanor.

Political action groups face registration deadlines

Political action committees must register by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least seven calendar days after reaching $750 in contributions or political spending. Committees ordered to stop using a prohibited name must electronically update their registration within seven calendar days. A person fined for a late, incomplete, or inaccurate registration must pay and correct it by the first business day at least seven calendar days later. Committees without a dissolution notice must electronically report primary-officer changes within 10 calendar days. The notice identifies the former officer and gives the new officer’s name, address, occupation, and title.

Political action groups must report donations

Political action committees must report each contribution within 31 calendar days. Registered committees reaching $750 in annual contributions or spending must also follow financial-report deadlines, including seven calendar days before major-party state conventions and specified elections. Designated reports cover activity through five calendar days before their deadlines. The lieutenant governor must review required January 10 statements within 60 calendar days after the filing deadline. Violation or written-complaint notices are due by the first business day at least five calendar days afterward; committees then have seven calendar days to file or correct statements.

Political calling rules use 500-call threshold

A telephone bank means at least 500 identical or substantially similar calls within any 30-calendar-day period. Political callers meeting that threshold fall under Utah election law's telephone-bank rules.

Political parties face reporting and venue deadlines

Registered state parties must file revised constitutions or bylaws with the lieutenant governor after adopting or changing them. Filing is due at 5 p.m. on the first business day at least 15 calendar days afterward. State and county parties must submit required officer or liaison information by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least seven calendar days after selection or change. Requests for county, municipal, school district, or public college meeting space are due at 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 30 calendar days before use. The requested facility must not already be booked.

Political parties face timed financial reports

In regular general election years, registered parties file reports seven calendar days before their conventions, the primary, and the general election. They also file on September 30, reporting money received and spent through five calendar days before filing. County parties follow that schedule after reaching $750 in annual contributions or spending, but skip periods with neither. Violation or written-complaint notices are due by the first business day at least five calendar days afterward; parties then have seven calendar days to correct reports. Registered parties that fail face a class B misdemeanor and $1,000 fine; county-party fines are the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of reporting-period contributions and spending.

Presidential candidates face elector filing deadlines

Unaffiliated and write-in presidential candidates must give Utah's lieutenant governor their electors' names and addresses, including vacancy replacements. Filing is due by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least 10 calendar days after the candidacy declaration.

Property tax challengers face petition deadlines

Sponsors challenging a property-tax rate above the certified rate must deliver signed, verified packets by 5 p.m. on the earlier deadline. One deadline is the first business day at least 30 calendar days after the first signature. The other is the first business day at least 40 calendar days after the local clerk's required compliance step. If the county clerk's office is closed, delivery is due at 5 p.m. on its next open day. Related clerk and local-attorney actions also follow business-day deadlines; these rules do not themselves change the tax rate.

Write-in candidates face firm filing rules

Write-in declarations are due by 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 65 calendar days before the general election. This covers regular and municipal general elections. Presidential candidates cannot file through a designated agent. Other candidates can use an agent only when outside Utah throughout the filing period. The agent must appear in person, while the candidate and filing officer communicate through live two-way video and audio.

Early voting keeps minimum days and notices

The early voting period begins 14 calendar days before election day and ends the day before it. County and municipal clerks can shorten it, but must offer at least four voting days and give required notice. Officials must publish early voting dates, times, and locations at least 28 calendar days before the election, subject to statutory exceptions. Officials must also report election-day voting center locations to the lieutenant governor at least 15 calendar days before the election. Exceptions allow later changes or added centers.

Mail voters face mailing and request deadlines

For elections run mainly by mail, officials must send active voters’ ballots 21 to seven calendar days before election day. Voters seeking delivery somewhere other than home must submit the completed request at least 11 calendar days before election day. Voters can stop mail ballots by submitting a written request before 5 p.m. at least 60 calendar days before the election. That opt-out continues for later elections until the voter asks to resume mail ballots.

Military leave rules cover elected reservists

Utah elected officials called to full-time active military duty under Title 10 can take qualifying leave exceeding 30 calendar days. Leave cannot exceed 400 calendar days. Duty exceeding 270 calendar days requires written notice and service-secretary permission to continue holding office. Officials must meet notice and certification deadlines. These include 5 p.m. on the first business day at least five calendar days after receiving orders.

Moving voters get residency rules and protections

Utah residence depends on a main home and intent to stay permanently or indefinitely; precinct residence uses the home at registration. A sworn registration or candidacy statement supports residence, but officials can seek more information on reasonable, specific grounds. After moving between Utah counties, voters retain voting rights in the former county for 30 calendar days unless they vote in the new county. Homeless voters can use a nontraditional location as their main residence. For same-county address changes, clerks must update records and send notice within 31 calendar days of learning of the change. The notice directs voters to return the form at least 30 calendar days before an election.

Protected voter records allow limited campaign access

Election officials generally withhold protected voter records from most recipients. Verified qualified political parties and candidates can receive limited information after stating their purpose and agreeing to lawful use. Allowed fields can include addresses, party, precinct, voting history, a hash code, and age group. Officials must still withhold information likely to identify the voter and addresses that directly reveal sensitive information. Specified personal identifiers and birth dates remain private.

Voter challenges get filing and response deadlines

Voters can be challenged over whether they lived in Utah for the 30 calendar days immediately before an election. A challenge does not automatically remove a voter. Normally, challenges are due 45 calendar days before the election, notice attempts 28 days before, and voter responses 21 days before. For voters registered in the final 45 calendar days, challenges can be filed through election day before ballot separation. Officials must attempt notice within one business day; responses are due five calendar days before the official results review, called the canvass.

Voter privacy protections carry misuse penalties

The lieutenant governor must provide a form for requesting that voter records be withheld. People reporting actual or likely domestic or dating violence against themselves or someone at home need only sign an attestation. Election officers cannot encourage or discourage these requests. The law limits access to and use of voter birth years and private or withheld records to specified recipients and purposes. Unlawfully obtaining or disclosing withheld records can bring a class A misdemeanor and an additional civil fine. The fine is the greater of $200 or 30 times the square root of records involved, rounded to the nearest dollar. The law also retains a notice requirement due before June 16, 2023, explaining continued privacy and limited release of non-identifying information to specified protected voters.

Voter residency rules and address notices

Voter registration requires Utah residence for at least the 30 calendar days immediately before the election. The same rule applies to preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds; citizenship, age, and local residence requirements also apply. County clerks must send address-confirmation return forms to voters who did not vote between two regular general elections and received no specified maintenance notice. Clerks must send those forms within 14 calendar days after running the annual maintenance process.

Ballot argument writers face filing rules

For legislative measures and referenda, legislators must file ballot arguments at least 150 calendar days before the election. If a side has no legislative argument, a voter can request permission by the first business day at least seven calendar days after notice. An approved voter's argument is due at 5 p.m. on the first business day at least seven calendar days after permission. Authors must file rebuttals electronically with the lieutenant governor: constitutional-amendment and referendum rebuttals are due 120 calendar days before the election, and initiative rebuttals by July 30. Rebuttals have a 250-word limit, excluding the information specified in the law.

Candidate challenges get objection and correction deadlines

Written objections to general-election candidacy declarations under Section 20A-9-202 are due at 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 10 calendar days before the applicable Section 20A-9-409(4)(c) deadline. Municipal candidacy or nomination-petition objections are due at 5 p.m. on the first business day at least 10 calendar days after filing closes. If an objection is upheld, candidates can amend their declaration or petition, or file a new declaration. Corrections or new declarations are due at 5 p.m. on the first business day at least three calendar days after the objection is upheld.

Candidate listings and withdrawal alerts get deadlines

Candidates can list qualifications, optional biographies, and web addresses on the statewide voter information website. Submissions are due at 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 45 calendar days before a primary or 60 calendar days before a general election. When a candidate withdraws 65 or fewer calendar days before an election, officials must email eligible voters whose email addresses are on file. Notices must meet the applicable deadline tied to ballot mailing or two business days before the election.

Candidate petitions get submission and review deadlines

Qualified-party members seeking nomination through signatures must collect and submit them by 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 14 calendar days before the convention for that office. Filing officers must verify nomination signatures transparently and orderly within 14 calendar days after submission, unless the Section 20A-21-201 exception applies. Municipal nomination-petition signers can request signature removal by submitting a statement that meets the law's requirements to the municipal clerk. That request is due at 5 p.m. three business days after the petition is filed.

Candidates and officeholders face reporting fines

State office and legislative candidates must report contributions within 31 calendar days. Contributions received within 30 calendar days before a contested convention or election require reports within seven business days. State officeholders must report contributions and public service assistance within 31 calendar days. Legislative candidates and state officeholders face 10% late fines through 60 calendar days after the reporting deadline, then 20%; state-candidate fine thresholds use 60 calendar days after the reporting period ends. Legislative candidates can receive a personal-fund fine waiver only for a first such violation when the lieutenant governor finds they misunderstood the requirement.

Candidates face stricter petition packet rules

Candidates submitting packets together must number and sort them, report packet and signature counts, and provide collector contact information. They must confirm each collector was at least 18 when collecting signatures. When an undisclosed packet verifier is found, candidates must provide that person's information by the first business day at least three calendar days after notice. Missing that deadline requires rejection of that packet and all packets collected by that person and submitted together. Election officers must assign unique packet numbers, record reviewers and signature counts, and label and log storage boxes.

Close elections get recount filing deadlines

Losing candidates can request recounts when the margin is no more than 0.25%, or one vote when 400 or fewer votes were cast. Requests are due by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least three calendar days after the canvass ends. Municipal-primary requests go to the municipal clerk; other requests go to the designated election official. Ballot or bond proposition recounts require the same margin threshold and requests from at least 10 voters who voted in the election. Those requests are due by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least seven calendar days after the canvass. Tied-race recounts must occur within 10 calendar days after certification; candidate-requested recounts must occur within seven calendar days after the request.

Convention candidates and signers get deadlines

Ratification convention delegate candidates must file nomination petitions with the lieutenant governor by 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 40 calendar days before the proclaimed election. Signers can request removal of their signatures by submitting a statement to the lieutenant governor. That request is due by 5 p.m. three business days after petition filing ends. Elected delegates must meet at the state capitol at noon on the 28th calendar day after their election.

Electronic initiative signers face withdrawal deadlines

Electronic initiative signature gathering must stop at 5 p.m. on the earlier of two dates. Those dates are 316 calendar days after application filing or April 15 before the next applicable general or municipal general election. Signers can submit a signature-removal statement to the county clerk, but must meet the earliest applicable deadline at 5 p.m. Depending on the statutory trigger, that deadline is the first business day at least 30, 90, or 316 calendar days afterward, or the applicable pre-election April 15 deadline.

Initiative sponsors get firm government deadlines

Local counsel must decide whether an initiative can legally go to voters and notify the first three sponsors within 20 calendar days after application. For manual local initiatives, clerks must supply the petition, signature sheet, and information pamphlet within five calendar days after a favorable determination. After a favorable court appeal, required materials or website access are due within five calendar days after the ruling and appeals become final. Local lawmakers must adopt or reject a delivered initiative within 30 calendar days; rejection or inaction allows a competing law within that same period. For qualifying initiatives designated for legislative consideration, the lieutenant governor must declare sufficiency and deliver materials at least 10 calendar days before the next annual general session. These petitions must meet statewide and Senate-district signature requirements.

Labor groups get reporting and correction rules

Labor organizations spending at least $750 yearly on covered political activity must report seven calendar days before regular primaries and general elections. Reports cover spending through five calendar days before the filing deadline. No report is required for a period with no spending or spending already reported elsewhere under the campaign finance chapter. Before suing to compel compliance, the attorney general must give written notice identifying the precise alleged violation. The organization avoids that action by stopping the violation within 10 calendar days and confirming compliance in writing.

Local election cancellations require advance notice

Municipalities and special districts must approve election cancellations at least 20 calendar days before the scheduled election. A cancelled election’s ballot must have no contested race or ballot measure; special districts can also cancel individual uncontested races. Required website and Class A public notices must cover at least 15 calendar days before the election. Website notices need not run on consecutive days.

Local initiative reviews follow set deadlines

For manual and electronic local initiatives, clerks must post specified signer information on the lieutenant governor's website for at least 90 calendar days. They must also update certified signature counts on the local government's website. Clerks must decide whether petitions have enough signatures within 21 calendar days after the submission deadline, unless an earlier rejection applies. The local attorney must file a proposed title and summary within 20 calendar days after petition submission. Sponsors and the local legislative body get five calendar days to comment; the final version is due five calendar days afterward.

Local referenda set voting and delay rules

For mail-only local tax referenda, officials must mail voting materials within 30 calendar days after the referendum qualifies. Election day must be the first business day at least 30 calendar days after the mailing requirement is met. Temporary stays can delay challenged local laws, but those delays end based on petition decisions or official vote proclamations. After a stayed petition is found insufficient, the law starts on the later of five calendar days after that decision or its stated effective date. A law approved by voters starts on the later of five calendar days after the vote proclamation or its stated date.

Online arguments and firm voter-information deadlines

Local initiative and referendum sponsors can submit supporting arguments and revisions electronically. Counties and municipalities can submit arguments for or against electronically, and authors can submit revisions; deadlines and the 500-word limit remain. Initial arguments are due within 15 calendar days after a circulation application, revisions within 20 days, and draft pamphlets within 21 days. Officers generally must publish by the later of 10 calendar days after a proposal is found legally eligible for a vote or three days after agreement on argument changes. For local ballot propositions, notice is due at least 90 calendar days before the election when practicable; otherwise, as soon as practicable after approval. Voter requests to write arguments are due by 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 64 calendar days before the election, with requests granted by 60 days before. Arguments are due by 5 p.m. on the last business day at least 55 calendar days before the election; rebuttals use 45 days. Pamphlets or notices explaining how to request them must go out 15 to 45 calendar days before the election.

Petition deadlines pair limits with review

Manual initiative and referendum packets generally are due on the first business day at least 30 calendar days after the first signature. Additional limits include 316 calendar days for initiatives and 40 or 45 calendar days for specified referenda. County clerks must complete the required packet review within 21 calendar days after receipt. Electronic initiative collection ends at the earlier of February 15 before the next regular general election after filing or the application-based cutoff. That cutoff is the last business day no more than 316 calendar days after filing.

Petition privacy grows, public access narrows

The law limits access to full candidate nomination documents and bars authorized viewers from copying or recording them. Viewers cannot disclose information about people with private voter records; signers can inspect only their own portion. After primary results are certified, officials must seal and store documents for 22 months. Access then requires the lieutenant governor, legislative auditor general, or a court order. Collectors’ names remain public, but their home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are private.

Political party petitions get review deadlines

The lieutenant governor must certify findings on a political party registration petition within 30 calendar days after filing. If a proposed party name or emblem is indistinguishable from one already used, the filing officer must submit an electronic replacement within seven calendar days. In third-, fourth-, or fifth-class cities or towns, municipal party qualification petitions are due at 5 p.m. on the last business day before the nominating convention. Signers can withdraw from municipal party petitions by sending a request to the city recorder or town clerk. The request must arrive by 5 p.m. three business days after petition filing.

Prosecutor vacancy elections get filing deadlines

Covered county or district attorney vacancy elections use revised filing deadlines when at least two years remain in the term. These rules apply in jurisdictions with at least 15 registered voters who are licensed, active Utah Bar members in good standing. An overlapping filing period extends to 5 p.m. on the first business day no later than seven calendar days after it ends. In the specified post-March, pre-primary process, filing closes at 5 p.m. on the first business day at least five calendar days after notice, with party certification due at least 60 calendar days before the primary. Another election process requires party committees to certify a candidate within five calendar days after the vacancy.

Public petition records and withdrawal deadlines

Clerks must post initiative signer information for at least 90 calendar days when packets or electronic signatures arrive before December 1. For arrivals on or after December 1, the minimum is 45 calendar days. Manual signature-removal requests must arrive by 5 p.m. on the earlier applicable deadline. Those deadlines use the first business day at least 30, 45, or 90 calendar days after the legally specified event, or the last business day within 316 calendar days after an initiative application. The manual deadline depends on petition type and, for statewide initiatives, when the clerk received the packet. Electronic initiative withdrawal requests are due before 5 p.m. on the earlier of two first-business-day deadlines: at least 30 calendar days after signing the removal statement, or at least 90 days after name posting for signatures gathered before December 1. For signatures gathered on or after December 1, the posting-based period is 45 calendar days. Electronic referendum withdrawal requests go to the county clerk by 5 p.m. on the earlier first business day at least 30 calendar days after signing the removal statement or 45 calendar days after the lieutenant governor posts the name.

Referendum signers face disclosure and deadlines

For electronic local referenda, county clerks generally must post signer information within two business days after signature certification. Names, voter identification numbers, and signature dates stay on the lieutenant governor's website for at least 45 calendar days. Signers can request removal through the county clerk by 5 p.m. on the earlier of two deadlines. These are the first business day at least 30 calendar days after signing the removal statement or at least 45 calendar days after the local clerk posts the name. A timely request that prevents posting also removes the signature from the petition and its totals.

Referendum sponsors face a firm schedule

State-law referendum applications are due by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least five calendar days after the legislative session ends. After sponsors sign a packet-numbering agreement, the lieutenant governor must supply petition materials by the first business day at least five calendar days later. Electronic signature collection stops at 5 p.m. on the date 40 calendar days after the session ends. Clerks must post required signer information for at least 45 calendar days for manual and electronic referenda. The lieutenant governor must decide petition sufficiency 106 calendar days after the session ends, with legally specified grounds allowing earlier rejection. For a sufficient statewide petition, legislative research counsel must send the title and summary within 15 calendar days after receiving it.

School board campaigns face reporting deadlines

School board candidates must report contributions within 31 calendar days, with late-report fines for missed deadlines. For contested conventions, primaries, or general elections, contributions received within the preceding 30 calendar days require reporting within seven business days. Candidates who filed to run that year must file interim reports seven calendar days before regular primaries and general elections. Those reports cover money received and spent through five calendar days before the filing deadline. An outside person's direct deposit counts as received no later than 31 calendar days after deposit, or earlier upon campaign awareness or notice of both the deposit and its source.

Voter measures get clear start dates

Initiative laws passed by the Legislature take effect 60 calendar days after that session ends. Voter-approved initiative laws generally start 60 calendar days after the next general legislative session ends; tax changes and later special dates follow separate rules. A referendum stay applies after the lieutenant governor finds enough certified signatures during counting. If the petition is insufficient, the stay ends five calendar days after that declaration; if sufficient, it ends upon the governor's proclamation. A voter-approved referendum law starts on the later of five calendar days after the proclamation or its stated effective date. After an insufficient petition and a stay, the challenged law starts on the later of five calendar days after the declaration or its stated date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Paul A. Cutler
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 2

House vote • 3/7/2025

House/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/7/2025

Senate/ concurs with House amendment

Yes: 26 • No: 0