There are more than 80 bills this session that have something to do with elections. One of the most impactful would make some changes to the state’s universal vote-by-mail system. The catch? Voting by mail is extremely popular in Utah. From requiring ID to making it opt-in instead of automatic, we ask the bill sponsor why changes are necessary and hear from people representing communities it could impact the most.
Voices:
- Rep. Jefferson Burton, a Republican from Utah County
- Joe Hirabayashi, Utah advocacy director for AARP
- Nate Crippes, supervising attorney with the Disability Law Center
- Darren Parry, former chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation
- Tara Benally, San Juan County field organizer for Stewardship Utah and member of the Navajo Nation.
- Dozens of KUER listeners who left us voicemails!
Recommended Reading and Listening:
- House set to take up a required voter ID shift to Utah’s vote by mail system
- Utah House passes scaled back bill to require voter ID, still allow voting by mail
- Bill responding to Utah County Clerk’s ballot tracking heads to House floor
- Utah has safeguards, including 24/7 surveillance, for its ballot drop boxes
- Officials urge southern Utah to mail ballots early to avoid issues seen in primary