All Roll Calls
Yes: 151 • No: 23
UtahS.B. 1942026 General SessionSenate
Election Modifications
Sponsored By: Michael K. McKell (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Election LawVoting and Voter RegistrationCrimesGovernment Operations (State Issues)Campaign FinanceElection AdministrationLieutenant GovernorElected Official
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger protections against election communication abuse
The law sets penalties for electronic communication abuse involving election information or specified election-related retaliatory, threatening, deceptive, or fraudulent intent. A first violation is a class A misdemeanor. A second or later violation is a third degree felony. Charges use this election-specific rule unless the general electronic communication abuse law carries a more serious penalty.
Mail voters get notices about restrictions
Starting November 5, 2025, election officers must include a separate paper notice with mailed ballots. Through December 31, 2028, it warns that voters must request mailed ballots starting in 2029. Beginning January 1, 2029, it explains the last-four-digit requirement for Utah driver licenses or state identification numbers. It must also list alternative identification options. Voters without those options are directed to vote in person unless exempt.
Election deadlines move past weekends and holidays
Utah election-law deadlines that end on a weekend or holiday move to the next business day. This extension does not cover deadlines in the two chapters concerning the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission.
Ballots show titles instead of officials
Beginning January 1, 2027, election officers' and county clerks' names cannot appear on ballots or return envelopes unless listed as candidates. Ballot certification endorsements must say “Certified by” followed by the officer's title, without their name. Before 2027, return envelopes must show the officer's official title and post office address. Manual ballots for partisan municipal primaries must show the party name and emblem below or beside the officer's title. Municipal instant runoff races under the pilot project must follow the general municipal rules for manual and mechanical ballots.
Candidates can fund security through campaigns
Beginning May 6, 2026, candidates and officeholders can use campaign money for reasonably necessary security for themselves, families, or staff. These expenses are not treated as personal use, but weapons are excluded. Allowed purchases include security systems at homes, businesses, or campaign offices. Security services must cover travel to or from, or attendance at, campaign events or officeholders' official-duty events.
Election clerks face stronger neutrality safeguards
Election clerks cannot change election procedures to favor or discriminate against candidates, people seeking candidacy, or ballot measures. This includes proposed ballot measures in elections they administer. County clerks running for reelection must contract with another county clerk to handle specified work on candidate signatures for that race. They must deliver race signature packets within one business day of receipt. Clear images of signature-removal requests must be sent electronically the same business day they arrive.
Lieutenant governor must publish conflict safeguards
Utah's lieutenant governor must create a written conflict plan before August 31, 2026, and post it online. The plan must reach the Government Operations Interim Committee by September 1, 2026. It must address actual or perceived conflicts tied to the lieutenant governor's candidacy, including stepping aside and naming a replacement. Beginning January 1, 2029, new lieutenant governors must adopt or create a plan within 90 days of taking office. They must follow the plan, submit and publish revisions, and present it to the committee when its chairs request.
Fewer address documents accepted from voters
Utah voters can no longer use utility bills or bank and other financial account statements in the two-document identification option. That option requires documents showing the voter's name and residence in the voting precinct. Other identification options remain available.
Clerks lose ballot postmark coordination duty
County clerks no longer must work with post offices to ensure ballots carry a postmark or another mailing-date mark. They must still coordinate with post offices to promote prompt ballot delivery.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Burton, Jefferson S.
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 20 • No: 7
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 63 • No: 7
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 6
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted
2/27/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/27/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #6
3/6/2026
Substitute #5
3/2/2026
Substitute #4
2/26/2026
Amended 2/17/2026 11:02:838
2/17/2026
Substitute #3
2/15/2026
Substitute #2
2/10/2026
Substitute #1
1/28/2026
Introduced
1/23/2026