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
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
New mail voting rules and ID steps
Elections are run mainly by mail. Ballots are mailed 21 to 7 days before election day. You may request delivery to a different address up to 11 days before the election. Inactive voters do not get a mailed ballot unless they ask for one. Return envelopes include a space for the last four digits of a Utah driver license, state ID, or Social Security number, and hide your ID and signature after sealing. From Nov 5, 2025 to Dec 31, 2028, a paper warning explains ID rules and says starting in 2029 you will not get a mail ballot unless you request one. Starting Jan 1, 2029, the warning says a mail ballot will not count without the last four digits of a Utah driver license or state ID, and it lists other acceptable ID or says vote in person unless exempt. Counties must open at least one election day center plus one more for every 5,000 active voters who will not get a mail ballot, with accessible devices. The law also updates which documents count as valid voter ID.
Stronger ballot checks and easier cures
The law sets a cure process if your mailed ballot is rejected for ID or signature issues. You can return a standard affidavit by noon on the last business day before canvass so your ballot counts. The election office must try to notify you within two business days of rejection and may verify your identity by contact using two personal identifiers. Officers must log rejections and cures within one business day and include counts and reasons in the canvass report. The director of elections sets signature‑check rules, staff training, and an ADA‑compliant ID alternative for voters who check the disability box. Campaigns may request the names and addresses of voters with unresolved rejected ballots, and officers must respond within two business days. Willful failure to follow these rules counts as neglect of duty.
Conflict-of-interest safeguards for election officials
Election clerks must follow state and federal law and may not change procedures to favor or hurt any candidate or ballot measure. The lieutenant governor must publish a conflict‑avoidance plan by Sep 1, 2026, and new lieutenant governors must adopt a plan within 90 days after taking office on or after Jan 1, 2029. If a county clerk is running for reelection, the clerk must hire another county clerk to handle set signature tasks, deliver signature packets within one business day, and send signature‑removal images the same day.
New crime for abusing election records
It is a crime to use election or voter records to threaten, retaliate, deceive, or fraudulently influence a person or an election. A first offense is a class A misdemeanor; later offenses are third‑degree felonies.
New deadline counting rules for elections
The law explains how to count time: use calendar days unless the law says business days, and some deadlines move to the next business day if they fall on a weekend or holiday. Effective May 5, 2027, the rule that extended a deadline falling on a weekend or holiday is repealed, so those deadlines no longer move.
Simpler ballots and limits on write-ins
Starting Jan 1, 2027, ballots show “Certified by” and the election officer’s title, not the officer’s name. Return envelopes and ballots do not show the officer’s or clerk’s name unless that person is a listed candidate. Mechanical municipal ballots must follow set layouts, instructions, and grouping of candidates. Municipal primary ballots cannot include write‑in spaces, but when a qualified write‑in exists, other ballots must include a line and box for that vote. Municipal general ballots must list the top two mayoral candidates from the primary, or all who filed if no primary, and list twice the number of candidates as seats for other offices. Municipal propositions and bonds must be listed with required titles. The law also defines a “ballot” as the medium that records one voter’s choices.
Tougher campaign money rules, security allowed
The lieutenant governor enforces bans on personal use of campaign funds. If a personal‑use spend is found, the candidate or officeholder pays a penalty equal to 50% of that amount to the state and returns the rest to the campaign account. The law also allows campaign funds to pay for needed security goods and services, like home or office security systems and event security, but not weapons.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jefferson S. Burton
Republican • House
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 - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 6
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/28/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House 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