HB 1004: Election Records Amendments - Utah

Substitute #3 → Enrolled · 7 edits · Oct 14, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's election code to modernize record-keeping, enhance transparency, and standardize reporting. Key changes include requiring video recordings of ballot processing and drop boxes to be public records accessible to candidates and parties, mandating the use of an 'election results database' for all voting equipment, and establishing new rules for curing rejected ballots and reporting statistics. The bill also clarifies definitions for various election terms and adjusts timelines for reporting and public notice.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of public access to election videos and data, applies new database requirements to all voting equipment in the state, and extends the retrospective application of repealed sections to August 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Video recordings of ballot processing and unattended ballot drop boxes are now public records that candidates, political parties, and courts can access to investigate concerns or ensure compliance.

All voting equipment must now generate an 'election results database' containing detailed data for each ballot, including images and interpretation marks, which must be preserved for 22 months.

New procedures are established for election officers to contact voters whose ballots are rejected due to signature or ID issues, requiring specific affidavits to cure the rejection before the ballot can be counted.

Reporting requirements for ballot reconciliations and canvass reports have been updated to include specific data points from the election results database and standardized statistics on voter turnout and ballot types.

Certain ballot reconciliation reporting requirements were eliminated, while others were replaced with more detailed data reporting mandates.

DEFINITION

Numerous definitions were updated or added, such as clarifying 'election material' to include chain of custody logs and election results databases, and redefining 'election returns' to exclude certain internal materials.

TIMELINE

Deadlines for transmitting reports to the Lieutenant Governor and publishing notices were adjusted, with some notices now required to remain online indefinitely or for at least 180 days.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's election code to modernize record-keeping, enhance transparency for ballot processing, and strengthen security for ballot drop boxes. It adds new requirements for video surveillance of unattended drop boxes, mandates specific data reporting on election websites, and establishes an 'election results database' to track ballot counts digitally. The bill also clarifies rules for curing rejected mail ballots and expands public access to certain election reports while restricting access to raw video footage of ballot counting.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of public access to election data and video recordings while simultaneously adding restrictions on who can view sensitive ballot processing videos. It also extends the applicability of certain provisions to new municipalities and consolidates election oversight under the Lieutenant Governor.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory 24-hour video surveillance for unattended ballot drop boxes with specific rules on who can access the footage.

Established new 'election results database' requirements to digitally track every ballot's vote, batch, and adjudication details.

Modified ballot statistics reporting to require more frequent updates on election websites and specific breakdowns of rejected ballots.

Added requirements for election officers to include specific data from the election results database in their final canvass reports.

Modified rules for disclosing voter information to allow candidates to see names of voters whose ballots were rejected but not yet cured.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for terms like 'election results database,' 'batch,' and 'processed' to clarify chain of custody procedures.

TIMELINE

Modified effective dates for certain sections to apply retroactively to August 1, 2025, for repealed sections.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions requiring the Lieutenant Governor to ensure all voting equipment can generate the new election results database.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah election laws to improve transparency and security by defining new terms, establishing retention requirements for election records, and modifying how ballot statistics and video recordings are handled. It also clarifies reporting requirements for election results and expands the lieutenant governor's oversight role.

Scope change

The bill applies to all Utah elections including municipal, county, statewide, and special district elections, with specific provisions for new municipalities and ballot drop boxes.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for terms like 'election results database', 'automatic tabulating equipment', and 'valid voter identification' to clarify election procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Modified ballot statistics reporting requirements to include more detailed data about ballots received, counted, and rejected on election officer websites.

Added requirements for election officers to maintain video recordings of ballot processing and ballot drop boxes for at least one year or until contests are resolved.

Added requirements for the lieutenant governor to ensure all voting equipment can generate election results databases containing detailed vote information.

Added new section requiring election officers to include specific data from election results databases in board of canvassers reports.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified provisions allowing election officers to share records of voters contacted to cure ballots with candidates and campaign representatives.

TIMELINE

Modified effective dates for certain sections to apply beginning August 1, 2025, with some provisions taking effect upon governor's approval.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's election record-keeping and reporting requirements, including new rules for ballot drop box video surveillance, extended retention periods for election materials, and enhanced data reporting for election results databases. The changes aim to improve transparency and accountability in election administration while maintaining voter privacy protections.

Scope change

The bill applies to all elections conducted in Utah, including municipal, county, and statewide elections, with specific provisions for ballot drop boxes and electronic voting equipment.

REQUIREMENT

Requires 24-hour video surveillance without audio for unattended ballot drop boxes, with access limited to election officials, auditors, courts, and candidates under specific circumstances

Extended retention period for ballots and election materials from 22 months to 22 months after election or until contest resolution, whichever is later

Requires election officers to include specific data from election results databases in board of canvassers reports, including vote counts and ballot processing information

Mandates that election officers publish ballot statistics on their websites with specific update schedules and data points

Eliminates certain ballot reconciliation reporting requirements while maintaining core reconciliation obligations

Authorizes election officers to share records of voters contacted to cure ballots with candidates and campaign representatives under specific conditions

DEFINITION

Establishes new definition for 'election results database' containing digital interpretations of ballots, ballot images, and adjudication information

TIMELINE

Establishes August 1, 2025 as the effective date for repealed ballot reconciliation sections with retrospective operation

Election Records Amendments

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