SB 153: Election Amendments - Utah

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

The substitute bill significantly accelerates the timeline for reclassifying private voter records (from January/July 2027 to April/May 2026), replaces the voter's name with their voter identification number in petition disclosures for at-risk voters, and substitutes 'year of birth' with broader 'age range' categories in public voter data. It also shifts from providing at-risk voter counts directly to political parties to requiring the lieutenant governor to post that information publicly, and adds new definitions for ballot reporting and voting history.

TIMELINE

The deadline for voters with private records to be reclassified as public was moved up from January 1, 2027 (with a July 1, 2027 final date) to April 6, 2026 (with a May 6, 2026 deadline to apply for at-risk status). The lieutenant governor must now mail notice and an at-risk designation request form by April 6, 2026 instead of January 1, 2027.

SCOPE

When an at-risk voter signs a petition, the information disclosed changed from the voter's name and address to the voter's voter identification number together with their address. This means at-risk voters' names are no longer publicly revealed on petitions, only their voter ID number and address.

The introduced bill required providing at-risk voter counts directly to political parties upon request. The substitute instead requires the lieutenant governor to post information about the number of at-risk voters in the state and in individual House districts, making it a public posting rather than a party-specific data release.

DEFINITION

Public voter data now discloses an 'age range' (e.g., 26-30, 31-35) instead of the voter's exact year of birth. New age range categories were defined: 18-19, 20-22, 23-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-55, and above in 10-year increments.

New definitions were added for 'age range,' 'mailed ballot report,' 'voted report,' 'political purpose,' and 'voting history.' The 'standard voter data' definition was updated to use age range instead of year of birth, and to include voting history.

REQUIREMENT

The introduced bill placed a $200 cap on fees for electronic copies of the registered voter list. The substitute removes this specific fee cap and instead focuses on restrictions on the use and disclosure of information from the voter registration list, plus criminal penalties for unlawful obtaining, using, or disclosing that information.

Voter registration forms now include a new optional consent question (effective January 1, 2027) asking whether the voter consents to the election officer providing their email address and phone number to the political party with which they affiliate. The introduced version had a similar but differently worded consent mechanism.

TECHNICAL

The term 'at-risk voter request form' was renamed to 'at-risk designation request form' throughout. Section 20A-5-410 was renumbered to 20A-2-608. A new section 63G-2-210 was added to the list of affected code sections. The requirement to assign new voter identification numbers to all registered voters appears to have been removed or relocated.

Substitute #4 → Enrolled · 7 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

This bill significantly updates Utah's election laws to enhance voter privacy, expand early voting options, and modernize registration processes. Key changes include adding new definitions for election terminology, establishing a preregistration system for 16- and 17-year-olds, and creating a new 'at-risk voter' designation to protect individuals from domestic violence or public scrutiny. The bill also mandates specific privacy protections on voter registration forms and requires the removal of deceased voters from official lists.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of voter registration to include preregistration for minors and introduces a new category of 'at-risk voters' with enhanced privacy protections, while also updating the definitions used throughout the election code.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'at-risk voter,' 'preregistering to vote,' 'valid voter identification,' and 'valid write-in candidate' to clarify legal standards.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new eligibility pathway allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote, with automatic registration upon turning 18.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated specific privacy language and consent options on voter registration forms and driver's license applications to allow voters to withhold data from political parties.

Established a new 'at-risk voter' designation process for individuals facing domestic violence, dating violence, or public figures to limit the disclosure of their registration data to political parties.

Required county clerks to remove deceased voters from official registers within five business days of receiving confirmation.

Mandated the inclusion of a ballot-by-mail preference option on all voter registration forms and driver's license applications.

TIMELINE

Set specific effective dates for new provisions, including preregistration (April 6, 2026) and expanded privacy notices (May 25, 2026).

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah election laws to reclassify voter registration records that were previously private without a valid reason as public records, requiring voters to actively request privacy protection again. It adds a warning to petition signers that their private status will not protect their information if they sign, establishes new requirements for removing deceased voters from rolls, and expands the voter registration form to allow sharing phone/email with political parties. The bill also changes the person responsible for ballot titles for constitutional amendments and adds coordination with other election bills.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of privacy protections by making previously private records public unless a voter re-qualifies, and extends the application of privacy warnings to all petition types including municipal consolidation and county seat moves.

ELIGIBILITY

Voter registration records classified as private without a specific reason before April 6, 2026, will be reclassified as public unless the voter submits a new request for privacy protection.

REQUIREMENT

Election officers must notify voters whose records are being reclassified to give them a chance to apply for additional privacy protection.

Petitions for various elections (municipal consolidation, county seat moves, etc.) must include a warning that signing the petition discloses the voter's ID number and signature date regardless of their private record status.

Voter registration forms now include an option for voters to authorize disclosure of their phone number or email address to their affiliated political party.

The lieutenant governor must post information on the number of at-risk voters in the state and individual House districts.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'at-risk voter,' 'public registered voter,' and 'standard voter data' to clarify privacy categories and data sharing rules.

TIMELINE

Updated deadlines for removing deceased voters from registration records and specific effective dates for various sections of the bill.

TECHNICAL

Changed the person responsible for preparing ballot titles and analysis for proposed constitutional amendments.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's election laws to update voter registration forms and petition processes, ensuring privacy warnings are included when signatures are collected for initiatives. It reclassifies certain voter records from private to public unless voters actively request protection, establishes new requirements for removing deceased voters from rolls, and modifies how political parties can access voter data. The bill also introduces new definitions for 'at-risk voters' and updates effective dates for various sections.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of voter privacy protections by creating a specific category for 'at-risk voters' and clarifies how their data is handled during petition signing and public disclosure. It also extends applicability to new petition types and modifies the criteria for accessing voter information by political parties.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'at-risk voter' and 'protected individual' to clarify who qualifies for enhanced privacy protections.

REQUIREMENT

Updated voter registration forms and petition templates to include mandatory warnings about the potential public disclosure of voter identification numbers and addresses when signing petitions.

Added requirements for the lieutenant governor to post statistics on the number of at-risk voters in the state and individual districts.

TIMELINE

Changed effective dates for several sections from 'governor's approval' to specific dates in 2026 (April 6 or May 25) and adjusted deadlines for voter registration and petition processing.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified criteria for voter registration, including provisions for preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds and updates to how driver's license applications trigger voter registration.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated penalties for unlawful disclosure of voter information and established new procedures for removing deceased individuals from voter rolls.

SCOPE

Expanded restrictions on who can access voter registration lists, particularly limiting access to year of birth and other sensitive data for political parties and candidates.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's voter registration laws to enhance privacy protections for at-risk voters while clarifying how their information is handled during petition drives. It reclassifies certain previously private records as public unless voters actively request continued protection, adds warnings to petitions that at-risk voters signing them may have their data disclosed, and introduces new options on registration forms to share contact info with political parties.

Scope change

The bill expands the definition of 'at-risk voter' to include law enforcement officers, military members, and public figures, and clarifies that petition signatures from these individuals may be publicly disclosed along with their addresses.

ELIGIBILITY

Reclassifies voter records that were previously private without a specific reason as public records starting April 6, 2026, unless the voter actively applies for continued privacy protection.

REQUIREMENT

Requires all petitions (for incorporation, county seat moves, etc.) to include a warning that at-risk voters signing them may have their voter ID and address publicly disclosed.

Adds a new option on voter registration forms allowing voters to consent to sharing their phone number or email address with their affiliated political party.

Requires the Lieutenant Governor to post statistics on the number of at-risk voters in the state and by House district.

Mandates that voters who preregister at age 16 or 17 have their records classified as private until they turn 18.

DEFINITION

Expands the definition of 'at-risk voter' to explicitly include law enforcement officers, military members, public figures, and those protected by court orders.

TIMELINE

Sets specific effective dates of April 6, 2026, for several sections regarding record reclassification and form updates.

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