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Bills / H.B. 479

H.B. 479 Election Code Modifications

Did not passWritten by Rep. Burton, Jefferson S. · carried in the Senate by Sen. Michael K. McKell

  1. Introduced
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. Senate committee (stopped here)
  5. Senate vote
  6. Signed into law

What this bill does

The bill would require voters to ask in advance, at least every eight years, to receive a mail ballot and to return ballots by mail, starting in 2029. It would also limit ballot drop boxes to times when at least two poll workers attend them, require voters to show identification there, and let voters get registration forms when buying hunting or fishing licenses.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the official description. Check the official text below.

Official description
  • defines terms
  • modifies voter registration forms and other forms to allow a voter to request, for future elections, whether the voter will receive a ballot by mail and whether the voter desires to return a ballot by mail
  • requires a voter to make a request described in the preceding paragraph at least every eight years
  • provides that, beginning in 2029, a voter:
  • will not receive a ballot by mail unless the voter makes a timely request to receive a ballot by mail
  • subject to certain exceptions, will not be permitted to return a ballot by mail unless the voter makes a timely request to return a ballot by mail
  • provides that a voter may return a ballot to a ballot drop box only when the ballot drop box is attended by at least two poll workers
  • establishes requirements regarding the required number of drop boxes and the days and hours during which voters may return ballots to drop boxes
  • requires a voter who returns a ballot to a ballot drop box to first provide identification to a poll worker at the ballot drop box
  • describes the requirements for verification of identity at a ballot drop box
  • describes the requirements for returning a ballot by mail
  • describes requirements relating to voting a ballot
  • describes the requirements for returning a ballot to a polling place or voting at a polling place
  • extends emergency ballot provisions to an individual with a disability who is restricted in the individual's ability to travel from the individual's residence
  • modifies forms, voting requirements, and other provisions to conform with the provisions of this bill
  • creates a process for an individual to receive a voter registration form and voter registration information when purchasing a hunting or fishing license
  • describes the type of personal identifying information that must be redacted from certain political disclosure reports and provides civil and criminal penalties for publicly disclosing the information
  • modifies a provision relating to the frequency of an elections audit performed by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General
  • makes technical and conforming changes
Full text and history on le.utah.gov →
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What it costs you

From the bill's latest official fiscal note, counting the state's tax funds (General, Income Tax, Education, Uniform School, and Transportation) in the first full budget year after the session. Some bills take effect partway through that year, so later years can be larger; the note shows each year. Household count: U.S. Census Bureau. An average is a starting point, not your bill.

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