The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 19, 2025
Utah adopted universal mail-in voting in 2013, with no widespread misuse in its 12 years. March 6th, the GOP-dominated Utah legislature approved an amended bill to end it in 2029, despite 76% of state voters supporting it.
HB 300 was even more draconian just weeks ago, requiring voters to return their ballot in person so ID could be shown. Such a move would have ended the convenience voters like about mail-in voting, and created a burden for rural and Native American voters, who might live hours from a polling place.
The Utah News Dispatch reports the amended bill phases out universal mail-in voting in 2029, rather than immediately. But in the interim, voters must obtain state-issued voting ID by 2026, and provide four digits from that ID, with signature matching as a backup. The voting ID would be free only to those proving they can’t afford it.
In 2029, voters can opt-in to a semi-permanent 8-year vote-by-mail list, and election officials would rely only on the voting ID number for identification. Voters could opt in at the DMV, polling places, or the state’s voter portal. The bill also extends the ballot return deadline to 8 pm on election day.
Replacing universal mail-in voting is expected to cost taxpayers $6 million dollars annually. Gov. Spencer Cox is likely to sign it.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Utah News Dispatch – (2024) Deep red Utah wants to keep voting by mail
Utah News Dispatch – Utah Legislature approves bill to require voter ID, phase out automatic voting by mail by 2029
Salt Lake Tribune – Universal vote by mail is popular in Utah. GOP lawmakers continue to move away from it in a revised bill.
Associated Press – Deep-red Utah embraced voting by mail. Then came 2020.
Deseret News – (2024) New poll: Three-quarters of Utah voters confident in vote by mail system
Utah House of Representatives – Fiscal Note – HB 300
Groups Taking Action:
Rural Utah Project, League of Women Votes UT
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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