HB 332: Amendments to Voting Provisions - Utah

Amended 3/4/2025 11:03:899 → Substitute #1 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill amends Utah's election laws to strengthen voter registration data management, enhance transparency through reporting requirements, and implement stricter citizenship verification for voting. Key changes include requiring the lieutenant governor to register with federal programs to verify voter citizenship, mandating public posting of voter registration statistics, and establishing new requirements for ballot video surveillance and chain of custody documentation.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of election oversight by adding new reporting requirements to the Government Operations Interim Committee, authorizing third-party contractors to maintain voter rolls, and extending the applicability of citizenship verification requirements to state elections (not just federal elections).

REQUIREMENT

Requires the lieutenant governor to register with the Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program after April 15, 2026 to verify voter citizenship status.

Mandates the lieutenant governor to post voter registration statistics on their website, including active/inactive voter counts and identified ineligible voters.

Requires continuous video monitoring of ballot processing without audio, including intake, signature verification, scanning, sorting, preparation, and storage.

Establishes new voter registration form requirements including citizenship questions, privacy options, and ballot notification preferences.

Modifies the lieutenant governor's authority to enter agreements with other states for voter data sharing, requiring stricter security standards and prohibiting data selling.

Requires county clerks to investigate and remove voters from rolls when evidence of non-citizenship is discovered and not refuted.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for data flow map reporting from every five years to an annual basis.

ELIGIBILITY

Requires proof of United States citizenship to vote in state elections, not just federal elections, with separate federal ballots for those who cannot provide citizenship proof.

ENFORCEMENT

Creates new penalties for unlawful disclosure of voter registration information, including civil fines and class A misdemeanor charges.

Amended Excerpts 3/4/2025 11:03:899 → Amended 3/4/2025 11:03:899 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add a new section requiring the Office of the Legislative Auditor General to report to the Government Operations Interim Committee every other year on a review of audit processes, replacing the previous requirement for the Driver License Division to study signature verification options. The amendment also updates several reporting deadlines from 2023 to 2026 and modifies the structure of election audit reporting requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the Office of the Legislative Auditor General in election audit oversight, while the Driver License Division's specific mandate to study signature verification options was removed.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for the Office of the Legislative Auditor General to report to the Government Operations Interim Committee every other year on a review of audit processes.

Removed the Driver License Division's requirement to study signature verification options and technology needs.

Modified the structure of election audit reporting requirements by renumbering subsections and changing the focus from signature verification to broader audit process reviews.

TIMELINE

Updated multiple reporting deadlines from 2023 to 2026 for the Government Operations Interim Committee.

Introduced → Amended Excerpts 3/4/2025 11:03:899 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's voter registration and election laws to enhance transparency, security, and data management. Key changes include requiring the Legislative Auditor General to report on audit processes, clarifying the Lieutenant Governor's authority to share voter data with third parties, adding requirements for ballot video surveillance, and establishing a third-party contractor role for maintaining voter rolls using quantum technology.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of reporting requirements to include the Legislative Auditor General and modifies the Lieutenant Governor's authority to contract with third parties for voter roll maintenance, while also adding new ballot surveillance requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for the Legislative Auditor General to report to the Government Operations Interim Committee every other year on a review of audit processes.

Modified the Lieutenant Governor's authority to contract with third parties to maintain voter rolls, now requiring the use of quantum technology.

Added new ballot video surveillance requirements that mandate continuous video monitoring of all ballot processing steps without audio.

Added requirements for third-party contractors to conduct analysis of voter rolls to identify potential ineligible voters within two weeks of candidate filing periods and general election canvasses.

TIMELINE

Updated reporting deadlines for the Lieutenant Governor, changing some annual reports to biennial reports and adjusting specific meeting dates.

Substitute #5 → Substitute #6 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill substitutes a new version of HB 332 that strengthens voter registration requirements, adds citizenship proof mandates, and expands data sharing for election integrity. The changes include requiring proof of US citizenship to vote in state elections, creating separate federal-only ballots for non-citizens, establishing third-party contractor oversight for voter roll maintenance, and modifying reporting deadlines to the Government Operations Interim Committee.

Scope change

The bill expands from primarily administrative reporting requirements to include substantive voter eligibility requirements, third-party contracting authority, and federal court information sharing agreements. Some effective dates were adjusted for certain sections.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for voters to provide proof of US citizenship to vote in state elections, with separate federal-only ballots for those who cannot provide proof

Changed Driver License Division reporting deadline from 2023 to 2026 for automated risk assessment program studies

Removed requirement for lieutenant governor to study post-election audit methods by 2023, making it a future requirement

Authorized lieutenant governor to contract with third-party contractors to maintain voter rolls using advanced data analytics

Authorized lieutenant governor to enter information sharing agreements with federal courts for jury selection purposes

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to register with federal Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program

Added requirement for county clerks to investigate registered voters when notified of potential ineligibility

Established requirements for ballot video surveillance with continuous recording and restricted access

TIMELINE

Adjusted effective dates for various sections, with some provisions now effective May 7, 2025 instead of previous dates

Substitute #4 → Substitute #5 · 25 edits

MAJOR

This bill updates Utah's voter registration and election laws to improve data accuracy, security, and transparency. It adds requirements for the lieutenant governor to report voter data to the Government Operations Interim Committee, allows contracting with third parties to maintain voter rolls, and expands privacy protections for voters. The bill also modifies ballot video surveillance requirements and adds new provisions for federal citizenship verification.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of voter registration oversight by adding new reporting requirements to the Government Operations Interim Committee, authorizing third-party contracts for voter roll maintenance, and adding federal citizenship verification requirements. It also expands the list of affected Utah Code sections to include additional chapters related to voting procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to register with federal Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program for voter registration and list maintenance

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to report data flow maps detailing voter data source, processing, and sharing every five years or when there is a change

Added requirement for Office of Legislative Auditor General to report to Government Operations Interim Committee every other year on audit process reviews

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to post potential ineligible voter counts on website after candidate filing period and after statewide canvass

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to withdraw state membership in ERIC by July 6, 2025 or before required fee payment

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to contract with third-party contractors to maintain voter registration database using advanced data analytics

Added requirement for county clerks to investigate certain registered voters when notified by lieutenant governor

Added requirement for county clerks to send preaddressed return forms to voters who did not vote in two consecutive general elections

Added requirement for ballot video surveillance to be continuously monitored without audio

Added requirement for provisional ballot envelopes to include citizenship affirmation and privacy notice

Modified reporting deadline for data flow map from annual to every five years or when there is a change

Modified reporting deadline for post-election audit recommendations from 2023 to 2026

Modified Driver License Division reporting deadline from 2023 to 2026

Added requirement for withholding request forms for voters who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, law enforcement officers, armed forces members, public figures, or protected by protective orders

Added requirement for third-party contractors to provide access to driver license, property tax, vital records, Medicaid, and other relevant records for voter roll maintenance

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to enter into information sharing agreements with federal courts for jury selection efforts

Added requirement for county clerks to maintain current list of all incarcerated felons in Utah

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to maintain website document describing utilities, tools, deadlines, and county clerk compliance status

Removed requirement for lieutenant governor to report on post-election audit methods biannually beginning in 2023 (changed to 2026)

Removed requirement for Driver License Division to report on signature quality options by 2023 (changed to 2026)

DEFINITION

Added new definition of 'Hash Code' in voter registration form section

TIMELINE

Added repeal date for Electronic Registration Information Center membership requirement: September 1, 2025

Added repeal date for Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project: January 1, 2026

Added repeal date for Constitutional amendments analysis section: July 1, 2025

Added effective date for bill: May 7, 2025

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill amends Utah's voter registration laws to strengthen data security, reporting requirements, and ballot integrity measures. Key changes include updating the lieutenant governor's reporting deadlines to 2026, authorizing third-party contractors to maintain voter rolls with strict neutrality requirements, adding new website posting requirements for voter statistics, and expanding ballot video surveillance mandates. The bill also introduces new provisions for federal court agreements and alien verification program registration.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope to include federal court agreements and Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program registration, and adds new code section 20A-5-411 for federal court agreements.

TIMELINE

Updated lieutenant governor reporting deadlines from 2023 to 2026 for post-election audit studies and driver license signature verification reports

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to register with federal Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program for voter registration and list maintenance

Added authority for lieutenant governor to enter into agreements with federal courts

Added new website posting requirement for potential ineligible voters identified by third-party contractors and regular maintenance efforts

Added requirement for third-party contractors to maintain non-partisan neutrality and prohibit funding from political parties or candidates

Added requirement for county clerks to investigate certain registered voters in specific circumstances

Modified ballot video surveillance requirements to mandate continuous monitoring without audio for all ballot processing functions

Added requirement for lieutenant governor to maintain document describing system utilities, tools, and county clerk compliance deadlines

Added requirement for provisional ballot envelopes to include insert with instructions for ballot status notifications

TECHNICAL

Added new Utah Code section 20A-5-411 regarding federal court agreements

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill modifies voter registration reporting requirements, adds a new section for lieutenant governor website posting of voter data, clarifies definitions for voter registration forms, updates driver license forms to include voter registration options, and changes third-party contractor requirements for voter roll maintenance. The bill also updates ballot video surveillance requirements and modifies repeal dates for certain election-related provisions.

Scope change

The bill expands the lieutenant governor's authority to contract with third-party contractors for voter roll maintenance and adds requirements for posting voter registration statistics on the lieutenant governor's website.

REQUIREMENT

Added new reporting requirement for lieutenant governor to report on errors identified through third-party contractor contracts to the Government Operations Interim Committee.

Removed requirement for lieutenant governor to report on potential ineligible voters from third-party contractors on website, making this reporting optional if no third-party contract exists.

Changed Driver License Division reporting deadline from 2023 to 2026 for automated risk assessment program reports.

Modified third-party contractor requirements to specify use of quantum technology for analyzing driver license, property tax, vital records, and Medicaid application records.

Added requirement for third-party contractors to conduct analysis of voter rolls to identify potential ineligible voters within two weeks after candidate filing period and general election canvass.

Updated ballot video surveillance requirements to mandate continuous monitoring without audio for specific ballot processing functions.

Added requirement for election officers to publicly release ballot reconciliation results each day ballots are tabulated.

Modified voter registration form to include additional privacy protection options for domestic violence victims, law enforcement officers, military personnel, public figures, and those protected by protective orders.

TIMELINE

Updated repeal date for Electronic Registration Information Center withdrawal provision from July 6, 2025 to September 1, 2025.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Utah's voter registration laws to enhance transparency, security, and accuracy of voter rolls. Key changes include requiring the Lieutenant Governor to report voter data to a legislative committee, authorizing contracts with third-party vendors to maintain voter databases using advanced technology, updating ballot video surveillance requirements, and clarifying privacy protections for voters who request their information be withheld from political parties.

Scope change

The bill expands the Lieutenant Governor's authority to contract with third-party vendors for voter roll maintenance and adds new reporting requirements to the Government Operations Interim Committee, while maintaining existing privacy protections for protected individuals.

TIMELINE

Changed reporting deadlines from 2023 to 2026 for automated risk assessment programs and data flow maps to the Government Operations Interim Committee.

Added repeal date for Electronic Registration Information Center membership withdrawal requirement to September 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for Lieutenant Governor to post voter registration statistics (active/inactive voters, potential ineligible voters) on the Lieutenant Governor's website.

Authorized Lieutenant Governor to contract with third-party vendors to maintain voter registration databases using quantum technology to analyze driver license, property tax, vital records, and Medicaid data.

Updated ballot video surveillance requirements to mandate continuous video monitoring of all ballot processing steps without audio.

Added new section requiring election officers to publicly release ballot reconciliation results each day ballots are tabulated.

Added requirement for third-party contractors to conduct analysis of voter rolls to identify potential ineligible voters within two weeks of candidate filing period start and general election canvass.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'Hash Code' to voter registration forms to explain how data is protected from being reversed to reveal original information.

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