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S.B. 162 Enrolled

             1     

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTING

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             5     
House Sponsor: Brad L. Dee

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends and enacts provisions related to elections to provide for military and
             10      overseas voting.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    changes the period of time in which to file:
             14              .    a declaration of candidacy; or
             15              .    a certificate of nomination;
             16          .    changes the date of the municipal primary;
             17          .    changes the date by which:
             18              .    a political party certifies a candidate for the primary ballot;
             19              .    an ordinance may be adopted for exemption from a primary;
             20              .    a candidate is certified for the ballot; and
             21              .    a certified ballot title is submitted to an election officer;
             22          .    changes dates related to:
             23              .    filling a midterm vacancy; and
             24              .    nominating a State Board of Education member;
             25          .    enacts the Uniform Military and Overseas Voting Act;
             26          .    repeals provisions in Title 20A, Chapter 3, Part 4, Voting by Members of the
             27      Military and by Other Persons Living or Serving Abroad;
             28          .    designates an email address provided by, or a completed ballot transmitted by, a
             29      military or overseas voter as a private record; and


             30          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             31      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             32          None
             33      Other Special Clauses:
             34          This bill takes effect on January 1, 2012.
             35          This bill coordinates with H.B. 33, Election Law Revisions, by providing substantive
             36      amendments.
             37          This bill coordinates with H.B. 230, Disability Amendments, by superseding technical
             38      and substantive amendments.
             39      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             40      AMENDS:
             41          17B-1-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             42          20A-1-201.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 256 and 329
             43          20A-1-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 165
             44          20A-1-508, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             45          20A-1-509.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             46          20A-2-102.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             47          20A-3-308, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 75
             48          20A-5-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             49          20A-6-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 133
             50          20A-6-106, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 9 and 315
             51          20A-7-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 225 and 315
             52          20A-9-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 119
             53          20A-9-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             54          20A-9-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             55          20A-9-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 256
             56          20A-9-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             57          20A-9-701, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225


             58          20A-12-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 93 and 225
             59          20A-14-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 315
             60          63G-2-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapters 36 and 379
             61      ENACTS:
             62          20A-16-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             63          20A-16-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             64          20A-16-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             65          20A-16-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             66          20A-16-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             67          20A-16-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             68          20A-16-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             69          20A-16-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             70          20A-16-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             71          20A-16-404, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             72          20A-16-405, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             73          20A-16-408, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             74          20A-16-409, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             75          20A-16-410, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             76          20A-16-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             77          20A-16-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             78          20A-16-503, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             79          20A-16-504, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             80          20A-16-505, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             81          20A-16-506, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             82      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             83          20A-16-202, (Renumbered from 20A-3-413, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter
             84      117)
             85          20A-16-406, (Renumbered from 20A-3-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1995,


             86      Chapter 340)
             87          20A-16-407, (Renumbered from 20A-3-410, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006,
             88      Chapter 16)
             89      REPEALS:
             90          20A-3-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 264
             91          20A-3-402, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             92          20A-3-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 273
             93          20A-3-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             94          20A-3-404.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 20
             95          20A-3-405, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 228
             96          20A-3-406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 169
             97          20A-3-407, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             98          20A-3-408, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 112
             99          20A-3-408.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 191
             100          20A-3-411, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             101          20A-3-412, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             102      Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause:
             103          20A-14-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 315
             104          20A-16-407, (Renumbered from 20A-3-410, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006,
             105      Chapter 16)
             106     
             107      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             108          Section 1. Section 17B-1-306 is amended to read:
             109           17B-1-306. Local district board -- Election procedures.
             110          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (11), each elected board member shall be selected
             111      as provided in this section.
             112          (2) (a) Each election of a local district board member shall be held:
             113          (i) at the same time as the municipal general election; and


             114          (ii) at polling places designated by the county clerk in consultation with the local
             115      district for each county in which the local district is located, which polling places shall coincide
             116      with municipal general election polling places whenever feasible.
             117          (b) (i) Subject to Subsections (4)(f) and (g), the number of polling places under
             118      Subsection (2)(a)(ii) in an election of board members of an irrigation district shall be one
             119      polling place per division of the district, designated by the district board.
             120          (ii) Each polling place designated by an irrigation district board under Subsection
             121      (2)(b)(i) shall coincide with a polling place designated by the county clerk under Subsection
             122      (2)(a)(ii).
             123          (3) (a) The clerk of each local district with a board member position to be filled at the
             124      next municipal general election shall provide notice of:
             125          (i) each elective position of the local district to be filled at the next municipal general
             126      election;
             127          (ii) the constitutional and statutory qualifications for each position; and
             128          (iii) the dates and times for filing a declaration of candidacy.
             129          (b) The notice required under Subsection (3)(a) shall be:
             130          (i) posted in at least five public places within the local district at least 10 days before
             131      the first day for filing a declaration of candidacy; or
             132          (ii) (A) published in a newspaper of general circulation within the local district at least
             133      three but no more than 10 days before the first day for filing a declaration of candidacy; and
             134          (B) published, in accordance with Section 45-1-101 , for 10 days before the first day for
             135      filing a declaration of candidacy.
             136          (4) (a) To become a candidate for an elective local district board position, the
             137      prospective candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy in person with the local district,
             138      during office hours and not later than the close of normal office hours between [July] June 1
             139      and [July] June 15 of any odd-numbered year.
             140          (b) When [July] June 15 is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the filing time shall be
             141      extended until the close of normal office hours on the following regular business day.


             142          (c) (i) Before the filing officer may accept any declaration of candidacy, the filing
             143      officer shall:
             144          (A) read to the prospective candidate the constitutional and statutory qualification
             145      requirements for the office that the candidate is seeking; and
             146          (B) require the candidate to state whether or not the candidate meets those
             147      requirements.
             148          (ii) If the prospective candidate does not meet the qualification requirements for the
             149      office, the filing officer may not accept the declaration of candidacy.
             150          (iii) If it appears that the prospective candidate meets the requirements of candidacy,
             151      the filing officer shall accept the declaration of candidacy.
             152          (d) The declaration of candidacy shall substantially comply with the following form:
             153          "I, (print name) ____________, being first duly sworn, say that I reside at (Street)
             154      ____________, City of ________________, County of ________________, State of Utah,
             155      (Zip Code) ______, (Telephone Number, if any)____________; that I meet the qualifications
             156      for the office of board of trustees member for _______________________ (state the name of
             157      the local district); that I am a candidate for that office to be voted upon at the next election, and
             158      I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official ballot for that election.
             159          (Signed) _________________________________________
             160          Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ____________ on this ______ day
             161      of ____________, ____.
             162          (Signed) ________________________
             163              (Clerk or Notary Public)"
             164          (e) Each person wishing to become a valid write-in candidate for an elective local
             165      district board position is governed by Section 20A-9-601 .
             166          (f) If at least one person does not file a declaration of candidacy as required by this
             167      section, a person shall be appointed to fill that board position by following the procedures and
             168      requirements for appointment established in Section 20A-1-512 .
             169          (g) If only one candidate files a declaration of candidacy and there is no write-in


             170      candidate who complies with Section 20A-9-601 , the board need not hold an election for that
             171      position and may appoint the candidate to the board.
             172          (5) (a) A primary election may be held if:
             173          (i) the election is authorized by the local district board; and
             174          (ii) the number of candidates for a particular local board position or office exceeds
             175      twice the number of persons needed to fill that position or office.
             176          (b) The primary election shall be conducted:
             177          (i) on the same date as the municipal primary election, as provided for in Section
             178      20A-1-201.5 ; and
             179          (ii) according to the procedures for municipal primary elections provided under Title
             180      20A, Election Code.
             181          (6) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(c), the local district clerk shall certify the
             182      candidate names to the clerk of each county in which the local district is located no later than
             183      [August] July 20 of the municipal election year.
             184          (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(c), the clerk of each county in which the
             185      local district is located shall coordinate the placement of the name of each candidate for local
             186      district office in the nonpartisan section of the municipal general election ballot with the
             187      municipal election clerk.
             188          (ii) If consolidation of the local district election ballot with the municipal general
             189      election ballot is not feasible, the county clerk shall provide for a separate local district election
             190      ballot to be administered by poll workers at polling locations designated under Subsection (2).
             191          (c) (i) Subsections (6)(a) and (b) do not apply to an election of a member of the board
             192      of an irrigation district established under Chapter 2a, Part 5, Irrigation District Act.
             193          (ii) (A) Subject to Subsection (6)(c)(ii)(B), the board of each irrigation district shall
             194      prescribe the form of the ballot for each board member election.
             195          (B) Each ballot for an election of an irrigation district board member shall be in a
             196      nonpartisan format.
             197          (7) (a) Each voter at an election for a board of trustees member of a local district shall:


             198          (i) be a registered voter within the district, except for an election of:
             199          (A) an irrigation district board of trustees member; or
             200          (B) a basic local district board of trustees member who is elected by property owners;
             201      and
             202          (ii) meet the requirements to vote established by the district.
             203          (b) Each voter may vote for as many candidates as there are offices to be filled.
             204          (c) The candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected.
             205          (8) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the election of local district board
             206      members is governed by Title 20A, Election Code.
             207          (9) (a) A person elected to serve on a local district board shall serve a four-year term,
             208      beginning at noon on the January 1 after the person's election.
             209          (b) A person elected shall be sworn in as soon as practical after January 1.
             210          (10) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (10)(b), each local district shall reimburse
             211      the county or municipality holding an election under this section for the costs of the election
             212      attributable to that local district.
             213          (b) Each irrigation district shall bear its own costs of each election it holds under this
             214      section.
             215          (11) This section does not apply to an improvement district that provides electric or gas
             216      service.
             217          (12) The provisions of Title 20A, Chapter 3, Part 6, Early Voting, do not apply to an
             218      election under this section.
             219          Section 2. Section 20A-1-201.5 is amended to read:
             220           20A-1-201.5. Primary election dates.
             221          (1) A regular primary election shall be held throughout the state on the fourth Tuesday
             222      of June of each even numbered year as provided in Section 20A-9-403 , to nominate persons for
             223      national, state, school board, and county offices.
             224          (2) A municipal primary election shall be held, if necessary, on the second Tuesday
             225      following the first Monday in [September] August before the regular municipal election to


             226      nominate persons for municipal offices.
             227          (3) The Western States Presidential Primary election shall be held throughout the state
             228      on the first Tuesday in February in the year in which a presidential election will be held.
             229          Section 3. Section 20A-1-503 is amended to read:
             230           20A-1-503. Midterm vacancies in the Legislature.
             231          (1) As used in this section:
             232          (a) "Filing deadline" means the final date for filing:
             233          (i) a declaration of candidacy as provided in Section 20A-9-202 ; and
             234          (ii) a certificate of nomination as provided in Section 20A-9-503 .
             235          (b) "Party liaison" means the political party officer designated to serve as a liaison with
             236      the lieutenant governor on all matters relating to the political party's relationship with the state
             237      as required by Section 20A-8-401 .
             238          (2) When a vacancy occurs for any reason in the office of representative in the
             239      Legislature, the governor shall fill the vacancy by immediately appointing the person whose
             240      name was submitted by the party liaison of the same political party as the prior representative.
             241          (3) (a) Except as provided by Subsection (5), when a vacancy occurs for any reason in
             242      the office of senator in the Legislature, it shall be filled for the unexpired term at the next
             243      regular general election.
             244          (b) The governor shall fill the vacancy until the next regular general election by
             245      immediately appointing the person whose name was submitted by the party liaison of the same
             246      political party as the prior senator.
             247          (4) (a) If a vacancy described in Subsection (3)(a) occurs after the filing deadline but
             248      before [September 1] August 31 of an even-numbered year in which the term of office does not
             249      expire, the lieutenant governor shall:
             250          (i) establish a date, that is before the date for a candidate to be certified for the ballot
             251      under Section 20A-9-701 and no later than 21 days after the day on which the vacancy
             252      occurred, by which a person intending to obtain a position on the ballot for the vacant office
             253      shall file:


             254          (A) a declaration of candidacy; or
             255          (B) a certificate of nomination; and
             256          (ii) give notice of the vacancy and the date described in Subsection (4)(a)(i):
             257          (A) on the lieutenant governor's website; and
             258          (B) to each registered political party.
             259          (b) A person intending to obtain a position on the ballot for the vacant office shall:
             260          (i) by the date specified in Subsection (4)(a)(i), file a declaration of candidacy or
             261      certificate of nomination according to the procedures and requirements of Chapter 9, Candidate
             262      Qualifications and Nominating Procedures; and
             263          (ii) run in the regular general election if:
             264          (A) nominated as a party candidate; or
             265          (B) qualified as an unaffiliated candidate as provided by Chapter 9, Candidate
             266      Qualifications and Nominating Procedures.
             267          (c) If a vacancy described in Subsection (3)(a) occurs on or after [May 1] the first
             268      Monday after the third Saturday in April and before [September 1] August 31 of an
             269      even-numbered year in which the term of office does not expire, a party liaison from each
             270      registered political party may submit a name of a person described in Subsection (4)(b) to the
             271      lieutenant governor by August [31] 30 for placement on the regular general election ballot.
             272          (5) If a vacancy described in Subsection (3)(a) occurs on or after [September 1] August
             273      31 of an even-numbered year in which a term does not expire, the governor shall fill the
             274      vacancy for the unexpired term by immediately appointing the person whose name was
             275      submitted by the party liaison of the same political party as the prior senator.
             276          Section 4. Section 20A-1-508 is amended to read:
             277           20A-1-508. Midterm vacancies in county elected offices.
             278          (1) As used in this section:
             279          (a) "County offices" includes the county executive, members of the county legislative
             280      body, the county treasurer, the county sheriff, the county clerk, the county auditor, the county
             281      recorder, the county surveyor, and the county assessor.


             282          (b) "County offices" does not mean the offices of president and vice president of the
             283      United States, United States senators and representatives, members of the Utah Legislature,
             284      state constitutional officers, county attorneys, district attorneys, and judges.
             285          (2) (a) Until a replacement is selected as provided in this section and has qualified, the
             286      county legislative body shall appoint an interim replacement to fill the vacant office by
             287      following the procedures and requirements of this Subsection (2).
             288          (b) (i) To appoint an interim replacement, the county legislative body shall give notice
             289      of the vacancy to the county central committee of the same political party of the prior office
             290      holder and invite that committee to submit the names of three nominees to fill the vacancy.
             291          (ii) That county central committee shall, within 30 days, submit the names of three
             292      nominees for the interim replacement to the county legislative body.
             293          (iii) The county legislative body shall, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs, appoint
             294      one of those nominees to serve out the unexpired term.
             295          (c) (i) If the county legislative body fails to appoint an interim replacement to fill the
             296      vacancy within 45 days, the county clerk shall send to the governor a letter that:
             297          (A) informs the governor that the county legislative body has failed to appoint a
             298      replacement within the statutory time period; and
             299          (B) contains the list of nominees submitted by the party central committee.
             300          (ii) The governor shall appoint an interim replacement from that list of nominees to fill
             301      the vacancy within 30 days after receipt of the letter.
             302          (d) A person appointed as interim replacement under this Subsection (2) shall hold
             303      office until their successor is elected and has qualified.
             304          (3) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (3) apply to all county offices that become
             305      vacant if:
             306          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             307          (ii) the vacancy occurs after the election at which the person was elected but before
             308      April 10 of the next even-numbered year.
             309          (b) (i) When the conditions established in Subsection (3)(a) are met, the county clerk


             310      shall notify the public and each registered political party that the vacancy exists.
             311          (ii) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant office shall:
             312          (A) file a declaration of candidacy according to the procedures and requirements of
             313      Chapter 9, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy; and
             314          (B) if nominated as a party candidate or qualified as an independent or write-in
             315      candidate under Chapter 8, Political Party Formation and Procedures, run in the regular general
             316      election.
             317          (4) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (4) apply to all county offices that become
             318      vacant if:
             319          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             320          (ii) the vacancy occurs after April 9 of the next even-numbered year but more than [50]
             321      75 days before the regular primary election.
             322          (b) (i) When the conditions established in Subsection (4)(a) are met, the county clerk
             323      shall notify the public and each registered political party that:
             324          (A) the vacancy exists; and
             325          (B) identifies the date and time by which a person interested in becoming a candidate
             326      must file a declaration of candidacy.
             327          (ii) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant offices shall, within five
             328      days after the date that the notice is made, ending at the close of normal office hours on the
             329      fifth day, file a declaration of candidacy for the vacant office as required by Chapter 9, Part 2,
             330      Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy.
             331          (iii) The county central committee of each party shall:
             332          (A) select a candidate or candidates from among those qualified candidates who have
             333      filed declarations of candidacy; and
             334          (B) certify the name of the candidate or candidates to the county clerk at least [35] 60
             335      days before the regular primary election.
             336          (5) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (5) apply to all county offices that become
             337      vacant:


             338          (i) if the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             339          (ii) when [50] 75 days or less remain before the regular primary election but more than
             340      [50] 65 days remain before the regular general election.
             341          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (5)(a) are met, the county central
             342      committees of each political party registered under this title that wishes to submit a candidate
             343      for the office shall summarily certify the name of one candidate to the county clerk for
             344      placement on the regular general election ballot.
             345          (6) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (6) apply to all county offices that become
             346      vacant:
             347          (i) if the vacant office has an unexpired term of less than two years; or
             348          (ii) if the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more but [50] 65 days or
             349      less remain before the next regular general election.
             350          (b) (i) When the conditions established in Subsection (6)(a) are met, the county
             351      legislative body shall give notice of the vacancy to the county central committee of the same
             352      political party as the prior office holder and invite that committee to submit the names of three
             353      nominees to fill the vacancy.
             354          (ii) That county central committee shall, within 30 days, submit the names of three
             355      nominees to fill the vacancy to the county legislative body.
             356          (iii) The county legislative body shall, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs, appoint
             357      one of those nominees to serve out the unexpired term.
             358          (c) (i) If the county legislative body fails to appoint a person to fill the vacancy within
             359      45 days, the county clerk shall send to the governor a letter that:
             360          (A) informs the governor that the county legislative body has failed to appoint a person
             361      to fill the vacancy within the statutory time period; and
             362          (B) contains the list of nominees submitted by the party central committee.
             363          (ii) The governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy from that list of nominees to
             364      fill the vacancy within 30 days after receipt of the letter.
             365          (d) A person appointed to fill the vacancy under this Subsection (6) shall hold office


             366      until their successor is elected and has qualified.
             367          (7) Except as otherwise provided by law, the county legislative body may appoint
             368      replacements to fill all vacancies that occur in those offices filled by appointment of the county
             369      legislative body.
             370          (8) Nothing in this section prevents or prohibits independent candidates from filing a
             371      declaration of candidacy for the office within the same time limits.
             372          (9) (a) Each person elected under Subsection (3), (4), or (5) to fill a vacancy in a
             373      county office shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of the person who created the
             374      vacancy and until a successor is elected and qualified.
             375          (b) Nothing in this section may be construed to contradict or alter the provisions of
             376      Section 17-16-6 .
             377          Section 5. Section 20A-1-509.1 is amended to read:
             378           20A-1-509.1. Procedure for filling midterm vacancy in county or district with 15
             379      or more attorneys.
             380          (1) When a vacancy occurs in the office of county or district attorney in a county or
             381      district having 15 or more attorneys who are licensed active members in good standing with the
             382      Utah State Bar and registered voters, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in this section.
             383          (2) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (2) apply when the office of county
             384      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             385          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             386          (ii) the vacancy occurs before the third [Friday] Thursday in March of the
             387      even-numbered year.
             388          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (2)(a) are met, the county clerk shall
             389      notify the public and each registered political party that the vacancy exists.
             390          (c) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant office shall:
             391          (i) file a declaration of candidacy according to the procedures and requirements of
             392      [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy;
             393          (ii) if nominated as a party candidate or qualified as an independent or write-in


             394      candidate under [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Candidate Qualifications and Nominating Procedures,
             395      run in the regular general election; and
             396          (iii) if elected, complete the unexpired term of the person who created the vacancy.
             397          (d) If the vacancy occurs after the second Friday in March and before the third [Friday]
             398      Thursday in March, the time for filing a declaration of candidacy under Section 20A-9-202
             399      shall be extended until seven days after the county clerk gives notice under Subsection (2)(b),
             400      but no later than the fourth [Friday] Thursday in March.
             401          (3) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (3) apply when the office of county
             402      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             403          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             404          (ii) the vacancy occurs after the third [Friday] Thursday in March of the
             405      even-numbered year but more than [50] 75 days before the regular primary election.
             406          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (3)(a) are met, the county clerk
             407      shall:
             408          (i) notify the public and each registered political party that the vacancy exists; and
             409          (ii) identify the date and time by which a person interested in becoming a candidate
             410      must file a declaration of candidacy.
             411          (c) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant office shall:
             412          (i) within five days after the date that the notice is made, ending at [at] the close of
             413      normal office hours on the fifth day, file a declaration of candidacy for the vacant office as
             414      required by [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and [Nominating
             415      Procedures] Declaration of Candidacy; and
             416          (ii) if elected, complete the unexpired term of the person who created the vacancy.
             417          (d) The county central committee of each party shall:
             418          (i) select a candidate or candidates from among those qualified candidates who have
             419      filed declarations of candidacy; and
             420          (ii) certify the name of the candidate or candidates to the county clerk at least [35] 60
             421      days before the regular primary election.


             422          (4) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (4) apply when the office of county
             423      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             424          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             425          (ii) [50] 75 days or less remain before the regular primary election but more than [50]
             426      65 days remain before the regular general election.
             427          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (4)(a) are met, the county central
             428      committees of each registered political party that wish to submit a candidate for the office shall
             429      summarily certify the name of one candidate to the county clerk for placement on the regular
             430      general election ballot.
             431          (c) The candidate elected shall complete the unexpired term of the person who created
             432      the vacancy.
             433          (5) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (5) apply when the office of county
             434      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             435          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of less than two years; or
             436          (ii) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more but [50] 65 days or
             437      less remain before the next regular general election.
             438          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (5)(a) are met, the county legislative
             439      body shall give notice of the vacancy to the county central committee of the same political
             440      party of the prior officeholder and invite that committee to submit the names of three nominees
             441      to fill the vacancy.
             442          (c) That county central committee shall, within 30 days of receiving notice from the
             443      county legislative body, submit to the county legislative body the names of three nominees to
             444      fill the vacancy.
             445          (d) The county legislative body shall, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs, appoint
             446      one of those nominees to serve out the unexpired term.
             447          (e) If the county legislative body fails to appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 45
             448      days, the county clerk shall send to the governor a letter that:
             449          (i) informs the governor that the county legislative body has failed to appoint a person


             450      to fill the vacancy within the statutory time period; and
             451          (ii) contains the list of nominees submitted by the party central committee.
             452          (f) The governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy from that list of nominees
             453      within 30 days after receipt of the letter.
             454          (g) A person appointed to fill the vacancy under Subsection (5) shall complete the
             455      unexpired term of the person who created the vacancy.
             456          (6) Nothing in this section prevents or prohibits independent candidates from filing a
             457      declaration of candidacy for the office within the required time limits.
             458          Section 6. Section 20A-2-102.5 is amended to read:
             459           20A-2-102.5. Voter registration deadline.
             460          (1) Except as provided in Section 20A-2-201 [and in Title 20A, Chapter 3, Part 4,
             461      Voting by Members of the Military and by Other Persons Living or Serving Abroad] and
             462      Chapter 16, Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act, a person who fails to submit a
             463      correctly completed voter registration form on or before the voter registration deadline shall not
             464      be permitted to vote in the election.
             465          (2) The voter registration deadline shall be the date that is 30 calendar days before the
             466      date of the election.
             467          Section 7. Section 20A-3-308 is amended to read:
             468           20A-3-308. Absentee ballots in the custody of poll workers -- Disposition.
             469          (1) (a) Voting precinct poll workers shall open envelopes containing absentee ballots
             470      that are in their custody on election day at the polling places during the time the polls are open
             471      as provided in this Subsection (1).
             472          (b) The poll workers shall:
             473          (i) first, open the outer envelope only; and
             474          (ii) compare the signature of the voter on the application with the signature on the
             475      affidavit.
             476          (2) (a) The poll workers shall carefully open and remove the absentee voter envelope
             477      so as not to destroy the affidavit on the envelope if they find that:


             478          (i) the affidavit is sufficient;
             479          (ii) the signatures correspond; and
             480          (iii) the applicant is registered to vote in that voting precinct and has not voted in that
             481      election.
             482          (b) If, after opening the absentee voter envelope, the poll worker finds that a
             483      provisional ballot envelope is enclosed, the poll worker shall:
             484          (i) record, in the official register, whether [or not]:
             485          (A) the voter included valid voter identification; or
             486          (B) a covered voter, as defined in Section 20A-16-102 , did not provide valid voter
             487      identification as permitted by Public Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002;
             488          (ii) if any type of identification was included, record the type of identification provided
             489      by the voter in the appropriate space in the official register;
             490          (iii) record the provisional ballot number on the official register; and
             491          (iv) place the provisional ballot envelope with the other provisional ballot envelopes to
             492      be transmitted to the county clerk.
             493          (c) If the absentee ballot is not a provisional ballot, the poll workers shall:
             494          (i) remove the absentee ballot from the envelope without unfolding it or permitting it to
             495      be opened or examined;
             496          (ii) initial the stub in the same manner as for other ballots;
             497          (iii) remove the stub from the ballot;
             498          (iv) deposit the ballot in the ballot box; and
             499          (v) mark the official register and pollbook to show that the voter has voted.
             500          (3) If the poll workers determine that the affidavit is insufficient, or that the signatures
             501      do not correspond, or that the applicant is not a registered voter in the voting precinct, they
             502      shall:
             503          (a) disallow the vote; and
             504          (b) without opening the absentee voter envelope, mark across the face of the envelope:
             505          (i) "Rejected as defective"; or


             506          (ii) "Rejected as not a registered voter."
             507          (4) The poll workers shall deposit the absentee voter envelope, when the absentee
             508      ballot is voted, and the absentee voter envelope with its contents unopened when the absent
             509      vote is rejected, in the ballot box containing the ballots.
             510          (5) The election officer shall retain and preserve the absentee voter envelopes in the
             511      manner provided by law for the retention and preservation of official ballots voted at that
             512      election.
             513          Section 8. Section 20A-5-409 is amended to read:
             514           20A-5-409. Certification of candidates to county clerks.
             515          No later than [September 8] August 31 of each regular general election year, the
             516      lieutenant governor shall certify to each county clerk the name of each candidate qualified to be
             517      printed on the regular general election ballot for that county clerk's county.
             518          Section 9. Section 20A-6-103 is amended to read:
             519           20A-6-103. Internet voting pilot project.
             520          Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any county may, if selected by the
             521      Department of Defense, participate in the Federal Voting Assistance Program pilot project to
             522      allow [military and voters overseas as defined by Section 20A-3-403 ] a covered voter as
             523      defined in Section 20A-16-102 to register to vote and cast their votes electronically.
             524          Section 10. Section 20A-6-106 is amended to read:
             525           20A-6-106. Deadline for submission of ballot titles.
             526          Unless otherwise specifically provided for by statute, the certified ballot title of each
             527      ballot proposition, ballot question, or ballot issue shall be submitted to the election officer no
             528      later than [60] 65 days before the date of the election at which the matter will be submitted to
             529      the voters.
             530          Section 11. Section 20A-7-103 is amended to read:
             531           20A-7-103. Constitutional amendments and other questions submitted by the
             532      Legislature -- Publication -- Ballot title -- Procedures for submission to popular vote.
             533          (1) The procedures contained in this section govern when the Legislature submits a


             534      proposed constitutional amendment or other question to the voters.
             535          (2) In addition to the publication in the voter information pamphlet required by Section
             536      20A-7-702 , the lieutenant governor shall, not more than 60 days or less than 14 days before the
             537      date of the election, publish the full text of the amendment, question, or statute in at least one
             538      newspaper in every county of the state where a newspaper is published.
             539          (3) The legislative general counsel shall:
             540          (a) entitle each proposed constitutional amendment "Constitutional Amendment __"
             541      and assign it a letter according to the requirements of Section 20A-6-107 ;
             542          (b) entitle each proposed question "Proposition Number __" with the number assigned
             543      to the proposition under Section 20A-6-107 placed in the blank;
             544          (c) draft and designate a ballot title for each proposed amendment or question
             545      submitted by the Legislature that summarizes the subject matter of the amendment or question;
             546      and
             547          (d) deliver each number and title to the lieutenant governor.
             548          (4) The lieutenant governor shall certify the number and ballot title of each amendment
             549      or question to the county clerk of each county no later than [50] 65 days before the date of the
             550      election.
             551          (5) The county clerk of each county shall:
             552          (a) ensure that both the number and title of each amendment and question is printed on
             553      the sample ballots and official ballots; and
             554          (b) publish them as provided by law.
             555          Section 12. Section 20A-9-202 is amended to read:
             556           20A-9-202. Declarations of candidacy for regular general elections --
             557      Requirements for candidates.
             558          (1) (a) Each person seeking to become a candidate for elective office for any county
             559      office that is to be filled at the next regular general election shall:
             560          (i) file a declaration of candidacy in person with the county clerk on or after the second
             561      Friday in March and before 5 p.m. on the third [Friday] Thursday in March before the next


             562      regular general election; and
             563          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             564          (b) Each person intending to become a candidate for any legislative office or
             565      multicounty office that is to be filled at the next regular general election shall:
             566          (i) file a declaration of candidacy in person with either the lieutenant governor or the
             567      county clerk in the candidate's county of residence on or after the second Friday in March and
             568      before 5 p.m. on the third [Friday] Thursday in March before the next regular general election;
             569      and
             570          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             571          (c) (i) Each county clerk who receives a declaration of candidacy from a candidate for
             572      multicounty office shall transmit the filing fee and a copy of the candidate's declaration of
             573      candidacy to the lieutenant governor within one working day after it is filed.
             574          (ii) Each day during the filing period, each county clerk shall notify the lieutenant
             575      governor electronically or by telephone of legislative candidates who have filed in their office.
             576          (d) Each person seeking to become a candidate for elective office for any federal office
             577      or constitutional office that is to be filled at the next regular general election shall:
             578          (i) file a declaration of candidacy in person with the lieutenant governor on or after the
             579      second Friday in March and before 5 p.m. on the third [Friday] Thursday in March before the
             580      next regular general election; and
             581          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             582          (e) Each person seeking the office of lieutenant governor, the office of district attorney,
             583      or the office of President or Vice President of the United States shall comply with the specific
             584      declaration of candidacy requirements established by this section.
             585          (2) (a) Each person intending to become a candidate for the office of district attorney
             586      within a multicounty prosecution district that is to be filled at the next regular general election
             587      shall:
             588          (i) file a declaration of candidacy with the clerk designated in the interlocal agreement
             589      creating the prosecution district on or after the second Friday in March and before 5 p.m. on the


             590      third [Friday] Thursday in March before the next regular general election; and
             591          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             592          (b) The designated clerk shall provide to the county clerk of each county in the
             593      prosecution district a certified copy of each declaration of candidacy filed for the office of
             594      district attorney.
             595          (3) (a) Within five working days of nomination, each lieutenant governor candidate
             596      shall:
             597          (i) file a declaration of candidacy with the lieutenant governor; and
             598          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             599          (b) (i) Any candidate for lieutenant governor who fails to file within five working days
             600      is disqualified.
             601          (ii) If a lieutenant governor is disqualified, another candidate shall be nominated to
             602      replace the disqualified candidate.
             603          (4) Each registered political party shall:
             604          (a) certify the names of its candidates for President and Vice President of the United
             605      States to the lieutenant governor no later than [September 8] August 31; or
             606          (b) provide written authorization for the lieutenant governor to accept the certification
             607      of candidates for President and Vice President of the United States from the national office of
             608      the registered political party.
             609          (5) (a) A declaration of candidacy filed under this section is valid unless a written
             610      objection is filed with the clerk or lieutenant governor within five days after the last day for
             611      filing.
             612          (b) If an objection is made, the clerk or lieutenant governor shall:
             613          (i) mail or personally deliver notice of the objection to the affected candidate
             614      immediately; and
             615          (ii) decide any objection within 48 hours after it is filed.
             616          (c) If the clerk or lieutenant governor sustains the objection, the candidate may cure the
             617      problem by amending the declaration or petition within three days after the objection is


             618      sustained or by filing a new declaration within three days after the objection is sustained.
             619          (d) (i) The clerk's or lieutenant governor's decision upon objections to form is final.
             620          (ii) The clerk's or lieutenant governor's decision upon substantive matters is reviewable
             621      by a district court if prompt application is made to the court.
             622          (iii) The decision of the district court is final unless the Supreme Court, in the exercise
             623      of its discretion, agrees to review the lower court decision.
             624          (6) Any person who filed a declaration of candidacy may withdraw as a candidate by
             625      filing a written affidavit with the clerk.
             626          Section 13. Section 20A-9-203 is amended to read:
             627           20A-9-203. Declarations of candidacy -- Municipal general elections.
             628          (1) (a) (i) A person may become a candidate for any municipal office if:
             629          (A) the person is a registered voter; and
             630          (B) (I) the person has resided within the municipality in which that person seeks to
             631      hold elective office for the 12 consecutive months immediately before the date of the election;
             632      or
             633          (II) if the territory in which the person resides was annexed into the municipality, the
             634      person has resided within the annexed territory or the municipality the 12 consecutive months
             635      immediately before the date of the election.
             636          (ii) For purposes of determining whether a person meets the residency requirement of
             637      Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B)(I) in a municipality that was incorporated less than 12 months before
             638      the election, the municipality shall be considered to have been incorporated 12 months before
             639      the date of the election.
             640          (b) In addition to the requirements of Subsection (1)(a), each candidate for a municipal
             641      council position shall, if elected from a district, be a resident of the council district from which
             642      elected.
             643          (c) In accordance with Utah Constitution Article IV, Section 6, any mentally
             644      incompetent person, any person convicted of a felony, or any person convicted of treason or a
             645      crime against the elective franchise may not hold office in this state until the right to hold


             646      elective office is restored under Section 20A-2-101.5 .
             647          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (2)(c), each person seeking to
             648      become a candidate for a municipal office shall:
             649          (i) file a declaration of candidacy, in person with the city recorder or town clerk, during
             650      office hours and not later than the close of normal office hours, between [July] June 1 and
             651      [July] June 15 of any odd-numbered year; and
             652          (ii) pay the filing fee, if one is required by municipal ordinance.
             653          (b) (i) As used in this Subsection (2)(b), "registered voters" means the number of
             654      persons registered to vote in the municipality on the January 1 of the municipal election year.
             655          (ii) A third, fourth, or fifth class city that used the convention system to nominate
             656      candidates in the last municipal election as authorized by Subsection 20A-9-404 (3) or used the
             657      process contained in this Subsection (2)(b) in the last municipal election or a town that used the
             658      convention system to nominate candidates in the last municipal election as authorized by
             659      Subsection 20A-9-404 (3) or used the process contained in this Subsection (2)(b) in the last
             660      municipal election may, by ordinance, require, in lieu of the convention system, that candidates
             661      for municipal office file a nominating petition signed by a percentage of registered voters at the
             662      same time that the candidate files a declaration of candidacy.
             663          (iii) The ordinance shall specify the number of signatures that the candidate must
             664      obtain on the nominating petition in order to become a candidate for municipal office under
             665      this Subsection (2), but that number may not exceed 5% of registered voters.
             666          (c) Any resident of a municipality may nominate a candidate for a municipal office by:
             667          (i) filing a nomination petition with the city recorder or town clerk during office hours,
             668      but not later than the close of normal office hours, between [July] June 1 and [July] June 15 of
             669      any odd-numbered year; and
             670          (ii) paying the filing fee, if one is required by municipal ordinance.
             671          (3) (a) Before the filing officer may accept any declaration of candidacy or nomination
             672      petition, the filing officer shall:
             673          (i) read to the prospective candidate or person filing the petition the constitutional and


             674      statutory qualification requirements for the office that the candidate is seeking; and
             675          (ii) require the candidate or person filing the petition to state whether or not the
             676      candidate meets those requirements.
             677          (b) If the prospective candidate does not meet the qualification requirements for the
             678      office, the filing officer may not accept the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition.
             679          (c) If it appears that the prospective candidate meets the requirements of candidacy, the
             680      filing officer shall:
             681          (i) inform the candidate that the candidate's name will appear on the ballot as it is
             682      written on the declaration of candidacy;
             683          (ii) provide the candidate with a copy of the current campaign financial disclosure laws
             684      for the office the candidate is seeking and inform the candidate that failure to comply will
             685      result in disqualification as a candidate and removal of the candidate's name from the ballot;
             686          (iii) provide the candidate with a copy of Section 20A-7-801 regarding the Statewide
             687      Electronic Voter Information Website Program and inform the candidate of the submission
             688      deadline under Subsection 20A-7-801 (4)(a);
             689          (iv) provide the candidate with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign practices
             690      described under Section 20A-9-206 and inform the candidate that:
             691          (A) signing the pledge is voluntary; and
             692          (B) signed pledges shall be filed with the filing officer; and
             693          (v) accept the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition.
             694          (d) If the candidate elects to sign the pledge of fair campaign practices, the filing
             695      officer shall:
             696          (i) accept the candidate's pledge; and
             697          (ii) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             698      candidate's pledge to the chair of the county or state political party of which the candidate is a
             699      member.
             700          (4) The declaration of candidacy shall substantially comply with the following form:
             701          "I, (print name) ____, being first sworn, say that I reside at ____ Street, City of ____,


             702      County of ____, state of Utah, Zip Code ____, Telephone Number (if any) ____; that I am a
             703      registered voter; and that I am a candidate for the office of ____ (stating the term). I will meet
             704      the legal qualifications required of candidates for this office. I will file all campaign financial
             705      disclosure reports as required by law and I understand that failure to do so will result in my
             706      disqualification as a candidate for this office and removal of my name from the ballot. I
             707      request that my name be printed upon the applicable official ballots. (Signed)
             708      _______________
             709          Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ____ on this
             710      __________(month\day\year).
             711          (Signed) _______________ (Clerk or other officer qualified to administer oath)"
             712          (5) (a) In all first and second class cities, and in third, fourth, or fifth class cities that
             713      have not passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection (2)(b) and in towns that have not
             714      passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection (2)(b), any registered voter may be nominated
             715      for municipal office by submitting a petition signed by:
             716          (i) 25 residents of the municipality who are at least 18 years old; or
             717          (ii) 20% of the residents of the municipality who are at least 18 years old.
             718          (b) (i) The petition shall substantially conform to the following form:
             719     
"NOMINATION PETITION

             720          The undersigned residents of (name of municipality) being 18 years old or older
             721      nominate (name of nominee) to the office of ____ for the (two or four-year term, whichever is
             722      applicable)."
             723          (ii) The remainder of the petition shall contain lines and columns for the signatures of
             724      persons signing the petition and their addresses and telephone numbers.
             725          (6) (a) In third, fourth, and fifth class cities that have passed the ordinance authorized
             726      by Subsection (2)(b), and in towns that have passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection
             727      (2)(b), any registered voter may be nominated for municipal office by submitting a petition
             728      signed by the same percentage of registered voters in the municipality as required by the
             729      ordinance passed under authority of Subsection (2)(b).


             730          (b) (i) The petition shall substantially conform to the following form:
             731          "NOMINATION PETITION
             732          The undersigned residents of (name of municipality) being 18 years old or older
             733      nominate (name of nominee) to the office of (name of office) for the (two or four-year term,
             734      whichever is applicable)."
             735          (ii) The remainder of the petition shall contain lines and columns for the signatures of
             736      persons signing the petition and their addresses and telephone numbers.
             737          (7) If the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition fails to state whether the
             738      nomination is for the two or four-year term, the clerk shall consider the nomination to be for
             739      the four-year term.
             740          (8) (a) The clerk shall verify with the county clerk that all candidates are registered
             741      voters.
             742          (b) Any candidate who is not registered to vote is disqualified and the clerk may not
             743      print the candidate's name on the ballot.
             744          (9) Immediately after expiration of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy, the
             745      clerk shall:
             746          (a) cause the names of the candidates as they will appear on the ballot to be published:
             747          (i) in at least two successive publications of a newspaper with general circulation in the
             748      municipality; and
             749          (ii) as required in Section 45-1-101 ; and
             750          (b) notify the lieutenant governor of the names of the candidates as they will appear on
             751      the ballot.
             752          (10) A declaration of candidacy or nomination petition filed under this section may not
             753      be amended after the expiration of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy.
             754          (11) (a) A declaration of candidacy or nomination petition filed under this section is
             755      valid unless a written objection is filed with the clerk within five days after the last day for
             756      filing.
             757          (b) If an objection is made, the clerk shall:


             758          (i) mail or personally deliver notice of the objection to the affected candidate
             759      immediately; and
             760          (ii) decide any objection within 48 hours after it is filed.
             761          (c) If the clerk sustains the objection, the candidate may correct the problem by
             762      amending the declaration or petition within three days after the objection is sustained or by
             763      filing a new declaration within three days after the objection is sustained.
             764          (d) (i) The clerk's decision upon objections to form is final.
             765          (ii) The clerk's decision upon substantive matters is reviewable by a district court if
             766      prompt application is made to the district court.
             767          (iii) The decision of the district court is final unless the Supreme Court, in the exercise
             768      of its discretion, agrees to review the lower court decision.
             769          (12) Any person who filed a declaration of candidacy and was nominated, and any
             770      person who was nominated by a nomination petition, may, any time up to 23 days before the
             771      election, withdraw the nomination by filing a written affidavit with the clerk.
             772          Section 14. Section 20A-9-403 is amended to read:
             773           20A-9-403. Regular primary elections.
             774          (1) (a) The fourth Tuesday of June of each even-numbered year is designated as regular
             775      primary election day.
             776          (b) Each registered political party that chooses to use the primary election process to
             777      nominate some or all of its candidates shall comply with the requirements of this section.
             778          (2) (a) As a condition for using the state's election system, each registered political
             779      party that wishes to participate in the primary election shall:
             780          (i) declare their intent to participate in the primary election;
             781          (ii) identify one or more registered political parties whose members may vote for the
             782      registered political party's candidates and whether or not persons identified as unaffiliated with
             783      a political party may vote for the registered political party's candidates; and
             784          (iii) certify that information to the lieutenant governor no later than 5 p.m. on March 1
             785      of each even-numbered year.


             786          (b) As a condition for using the state's election system, each registered political party
             787      that wishes to participate in the primary election shall:
             788          (i) certify the name and office of all of the registered political party's candidates to the
             789      lieutenant governor no later than 5 p.m. [on May 13] on the first Monday after the third
             790      Saturday in April of each even-numbered year; and
             791          (ii) certify the name and office of each of its county candidates to the county clerks by
             792      5 p.m. on [May 13] the first Monday after the third Saturday in April of each even-numbered
             793      year.
             794          (c) By 5 p.m. on [May 16] the first Wednesday after the third Saturday in April of each
             795      even-numbered year, the lieutenant governor shall send the county clerks a certified list of the
             796      names of all statewide or multicounty candidates that must be printed on the primary ballot.
             797          (d) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(d)(ii), if a registered political party does
             798      not wish to participate in the primary election, it shall submit the names of its county
             799      candidates to the county clerks and the names of all of its candidates to the lieutenant governor
             800      by 5 p.m. on May 30 of each even-numbered year.
             801          (ii) A registered political party's candidates for President and Vice-President of the
             802      United States shall be certified to the lieutenant governor as provided in Subsection
             803      20A-9-202 (4).
             804          (e) Each political party shall certify the names of its presidential and vice-presidential
             805      candidates and presidential electors to the lieutenant governor's office no later than [September
             806      8] August 31 of each presidential election year.
             807          (3) The county clerk shall:
             808          (a) review the declarations of candidacy filed by candidates for local boards of
             809      education to determine if more than two candidates have filed for the same seat;
             810          (b) place the names of all candidates who have filed a declaration of candidacy for a
             811      local board of education seat on the nonpartisan section of the ballot if more than two
             812      candidates have filed for the same seat; and
             813          (c) conduct a lottery to determine the order of the candidates' names on the ballot.


             814          (4) After the county clerk receives the certified list from a registered political party, the
             815      county clerk shall post or publish a primary election notice in substantially the following form:
             816          "Notice is given that a primary election will be held Tuesday, June ____,
             817      ________(year), to nominate party candidates for the parties and nonpartisan offices listed on
             818      the primary ballot. The polling place for voting precinct ____ is ____. The polls will open at 7
             819      a.m. and continue open until 8 p.m. of the same day. Attest: county clerk["]."
             820          (5) (a) Candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast for each office at the
             821      regular primary election are nominated by their party or nonpartisan group for that office.
             822          (b) If two or more candidates are to be elected to the office at the regular general
             823      election, those party candidates equal in number to positions to be filled who receive the
             824      highest number of votes at the regular primary election are the nominees of their party for those
             825      positions.
             826          (6) (a) When a tie vote occurs in any primary election for any national, state, or other
             827      office that represents more than one county, the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney
             828      general shall, at a public meeting called by the governor and in the presence of the candidates
             829      involved, select the nominee by lot cast in whatever manner the governor determines.
             830          (b) When a tie vote occurs in any primary election for any county office, the district
             831      court judges of the district in which the county is located shall, at a public meeting called by
             832      the judges and in the presence of the candidates involved, select the nominee by lot cast in
             833      whatever manner the judges determine.
             834          (7) The expense of providing all ballots, blanks, or other supplies to be used at any
             835      primary election provided for by this section, and all expenses necessarily incurred in the
             836      preparation for or the conduct of that primary election shall be paid out of the treasury of the
             837      county or state, in the same manner as for the regular general elections.
             838          Section 15. Section 20A-9-404 is amended to read:
             839           20A-9-404. Municipal primary elections.
             840          (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, candidates for municipal office in
             841      all municipalities shall be nominated at a municipal primary election.


             842          (b) Municipal primary elections shall be held:
             843          (i) consistent with Section 20A-1-201.5 , on the second Tuesday following the first
             844      Monday in the [September] August before the regular municipal election; and
             845          (ii) whenever possible, at the same polling places as the regular municipal election.
             846          (2) If the number of candidates for a particular municipal office does not exceed twice
             847      the number of persons needed to fill that office, a primary election for that office may not be
             848      held and the candidates are considered nominated.
             849          (3) (a) For purposes of this Subsection (3), "convention" means an organized assembly
             850      of voters or delegates.
             851          (b) (i) By ordinance adopted before the [June] May 1 that falls before a regular
             852      municipal election, any third, fourth, or fifth class city or town may exempt itself from a
             853      primary election by providing that the nomination of candidates for municipal office to be
             854      voted upon at a municipal election be nominated by a political party convention or committee.
             855          (ii) Any primary election exemption ordinance adopted under the authority of this
             856      subsection remains in effect until repealed by ordinance.
             857          (c) (i) A convention or committee may not nominate more than one group of
             858      candidates or have placed on the ballot more than one group of candidates for the municipal
             859      offices to be voted upon at the municipal election.
             860          (ii) A convention or committee may nominate a person who has been nominated by a
             861      different convention or committee.
             862          (iii) A political party may not have more than one group of candidates placed upon the
             863      ballot and may not group the same candidates on different tickets by the same party under a
             864      different name or emblem.
             865          (d) (i) The convention or committee shall prepare a certificate of nomination for each
             866      person nominated.
             867          (ii) The certificate of nomination shall:
             868          (A) contain the name of the office for which each person is nominated, the name, post
             869      office address, and, if in a city, the street number of residence and place of business, if any, of


             870      each person nominated;
             871          (B) designate in not more than five words the political party that the convention or
             872      committee represents;
             873          (C) contain a copy of the resolution passed at the convention that authorized the
             874      committee to make the nomination;
             875          (D) contain a statement certifying that the name of the candidate nominated by the
             876      political party will not appear on the ballot as a candidate for any other political party;
             877          (E) be signed by the presiding officer and secretary of the convention or committee;
             878      and
             879          (F) contain a statement identifying the residence and post office address of the
             880      presiding officer and secretary and certifying that the presiding officer and secretary were
             881      officers of the convention or committee and that the certificates are true to the best of their
             882      knowledge and belief.
             883          (iii) Certificates of nomination shall be filed with the clerk not later than the sixth
             884      Tuesday before the November municipal election.
             885          (e) A committee appointed at a convention, if authorized by an enabling resolution,
             886      may also make nominations or fill vacancies in nominations made at a convention.
             887          (f) The election ballot shall substantially comply with the form prescribed in Title 20A,
             888      Chapter 6, Part 4, Ballot Form Requirements for Municipal Elections, but the party name shall
             889      be included with the candidate's name.
             890          (4) (a) Any third, fourth, or fifth class city may adopt an ordinance before the [June]
             891      May 1 that falls before the regular municipal election that:
             892          (i) exempts the city from the other methods of nominating candidates to municipal
             893      office provided in this section; and
             894          (ii) provides for a partisan primary election method of nominating candidates as
             895      provided in this Subsection (4).
             896          (b) (i) Any party that was a registered political party at the last regular general election
             897      or regular municipal election is a municipal political party under this section.


             898          (ii) Any political party may qualify as a municipal political party by presenting a
             899      petition to the city recorder that:
             900          (A) is signed by registered voters within the municipality equal to at least 20% of the
             901      number of votes cast for all candidates for mayor in the last municipal election at which a
             902      mayor was elected;
             903          (B) is filed with the city recorder by the seventh Tuesday before the date of the
             904      municipal primary election;
             905          (C) is substantially similar to the form of the signature sheets described in Section
             906      20A-7-303 ; and
             907          (D) contains the name of the municipal political party using not more than five words.
             908          (c) (i) If the number of candidates for a particular office does not exceed twice the
             909      number of offices to be filled at the regular municipal election, no partisan primary election for
             910      that office shall be held and the candidates are considered to be nominated.
             911          (ii) If the number of candidates for a particular office exceeds twice the number of
             912      offices to be filled at the regular municipal election, those candidates for municipal office shall
             913      be nominated at a partisan primary election.
             914          (d) The clerk shall ensure that:
             915          (i) the partisan municipal primary ballot is similar to the ballot forms required by
             916      Sections 20A-6-401 and 20A-6-401.1 ;
             917          (ii) the candidates for each municipal political party are listed in one or more columns
             918      under their party name and emblem;
             919          (iii) the names of candidates of all parties are printed on the same ballot, but under
             920      their party designation;
             921          (iv) every ballot is folded and perforated so as to separate the candidates of one party
             922      from those of the other parties and so as to enable the elector to separate the part of the ballot
             923      containing the names of the party of his choice from the remainder of the ballot; and
             924          (v) the side edges of all ballots are perforated so that the outside sections of the ballots,
             925      when detached, are similar in appearance to inside sections when detached.


             926          (e) After marking a municipal primary ballot, the voter shall:
             927          (i) detach the part of the ballot containing the names of the candidates of the party he
             928      has voted from the rest of the ballot;
             929          (ii) fold the detached part so that its face is concealed and deposit it in the ballot box;
             930      and
             931          (iii) fold the remainder of the ballot containing the names of the candidates of the
             932      parties for whom the elector did not vote and deposit it in the blank ballot box.
             933          (f) Immediately after the canvass, the election judges shall, without examination,
             934      destroy the tickets deposited in the blank ballot box.
             935          Section 16. Section 20A-9-503 is amended to read:
             936           20A-9-503. Certificate of nomination -- Filing -- Fees.
             937          (1) After the certificate of nomination has been certified, executed, and acknowledged
             938      by the county clerk, the candidate shall:
             939          (a) between the second Friday in March and the close of normal office hours on the
             940      third [Friday] Thursday in March of the year in which the regular general election will be held,
             941      file the petition in person with:
             942          (i) the lieutenant governor, if the office the candidate seeks is a constitutional office or
             943      a federal office; or
             944          (ii) the county clerk, if the office the candidate seeks is a county office; and
             945          (iii) pay the filing fee; or
             946          (b) not later than the close of normal office hours on [July] June 15 of any
             947      odd-numbered year, file the petition in person with:
             948          (i) the municipal clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a city or town;
             949          (ii) the local district clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a local district; and
             950          (iii) pay the filing fee.
             951          (2) (a) At the time of filing, and before accepting the petition, the filing officer shall
             952      read the constitutional and statutory requirements for candidacy to the candidate.
             953          (b) If the candidate states that he does not meet the requirements, the filing officer may


             954      not accept the petition.
             955          (3) (a) Persons filing a certificate of nomination for President of the United States
             956      under this section shall pay a filing fee of $500.
             957          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a person filing a certificate of nomination for
             958      President or Vice President of the United States:
             959          (i) may file the certificate of nomination between the second Friday in March and the
             960      close of normal office hours on August 15 of the year in which the regular general election will
             961      be held; and
             962          (ii) may use a designated agent to file the certificate of nomination.
             963          Section 17. Section 20A-9-701 is amended to read:
             964           20A-9-701. Certification of party candidates to county clerks -- Display on ballot.
             965          (1) No later than [September 8] August 31 of each regular general election year, the
             966      lieutenant governor shall certify to each county clerk the names of each candidate, including
             967      candidates for president and vice president, certified by each registered political party as that
             968      party's nominees for offices to be voted upon at the regular general election in that county
             969      clerk's county.
             970          (2) The names shall be certified by the lieutenant governor and shall be displayed on
             971      the ballot as they are provided on the candidate's declaration of candidacy.
             972          Section 18. Section 20A-12-201 is amended to read:
             973           20A-12-201. Judicial appointees -- Retention elections.
             974          (1) (a) Each judicial appointee to a court is subject to an unopposed retention election
             975      at the first general election held more than three years after the judge or justice was appointed.
             976          (b) After the first retention election:
             977          (i) each Supreme Court justice shall be on the regular general election ballot for an
             978      unopposed retention election every tenth year; and
             979          (ii) each judge of other courts shall be on the regular general election ballot for an
             980      unopposed retention election every sixth year.
             981          (2) (a) Each justice or judge of a court of record who wishes to retain office shall, in


             982      the year the justice or judge is subject to a retention election:
             983          (i) file a declaration of candidacy as if a candidate for multi-county office in
             984      accordance with Section 20A-9-202 ; and
             985          (ii) pay a filing fee of $50.
             986          (b) Each justice court judge who wishes to retain office shall, in the year the justice
             987      court judge is subject to a retention election:
             988          (i) file a declaration of candidacy as if a candidate for county office in accordance with
             989      Section 20A-9-202 ; and
             990          (ii) pay a filing fee of $25.
             991          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall, no later than [September 8] August 31 of each
             992      regular general election year:
             993          (i) transmit a certified list containing the names of the justices of the Supreme Court
             994      and judges of the Court of Appeals declaring their candidacy to the county clerk of each
             995      county; and
             996          (ii) transmit a certified list containing the names of judges of other courts declaring
             997      their candidacy to the county clerk of each county in the geographic division in which the judge
             998      filing the declaration holds office.
             999          (b) Each county clerk shall place the names of justices and judges standing for
             1000      retention election in the nonpartisan section of the ballot.
             1001          (4) At the general election, the ballots shall contain, as to each justice or judge of any
             1002      court to be voted on in the county, the following question:
             1003          "Shall ______________________________(name of justice or judge) be retained in the
             1004      office of ___________________________?["] (name of office, such as "Justice of the Supreme
             1005      Court of Utah"; "Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah"; "Judge of the District Court of the
             1006      Third Judicial District[;]"; "Judge of the Juvenile Court of the Fourth Juvenile Court District";
             1007      "Justice Court Judge of (name of county) County or (name of municipality)")
             1008          Yes ()
             1009          No ()."


             1010          (5) (a) If the justice or judge receives more yes votes than no votes, the justice or judge
             1011      is retained for the term of office provided by law.
             1012          (b) If the justice or judge does not receive more yes votes than no votes, the justice or
             1013      judge is not retained, and a vacancy exists in the office on the first Monday in January after the
             1014      regular general election.
             1015          (6) A justice or judge not retained is ineligible for appointment to the office for which
             1016      the justice or judge was defeated until after the expiration of that term of office.
             1017          Section 19. Section 20A-14-105 is amended to read:
             1018           20A-14-105. Becoming a candidate for membership on the State Board of
             1019      Education -- Selection of candidates by the governor -- Ballot placement.
             1020          (1) By August 1 of each regular general election year, the governor shall:
             1021          (a) for each state board district subject to election in that year, select two candidates for
             1022      the State Board of Education from the lists submitted by the state board district nominating and
             1023      recruiting committee; and
             1024          (b) certify the names of the two candidates from each school board district to the
             1025      lieutenant governor.
             1026          (2) If the governor fails to select two candidates for a state board district by
             1027      [September] August 1, the nominating and recruiting committee shall:
             1028          (a) select the two candidates; and
             1029          (b) notify the lieutenant governor of its selections by [September 15] August 31.
             1030          (3) The lieutenant governor shall:
             1031          (a) conduct a lottery to determine the order of the candidates' names on the ballot; and
             1032          (b) certify the names and order of the names to the county clerks for placement on the
             1033      nonpartisan section of the ballot.
             1034          Section 20. Section 20A-16-101 is enacted to read:
             1035     
CHAPTER 16. UNIFORM MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS ACT

             1036     
Part 1. General Provisions

             1037          20A-16-101. Title.


             1038          This chapter is known as, "Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act."
             1039          Section 21. Section 20A-16-102 is enacted to read:
             1040          20A-16-102. Definitions.
             1041          As used in this chapter:
             1042          (1) "Covered voter" means:
             1043          (a) a uniformed-service voter or an overseas voter who is registered to vote in the state;
             1044      or
             1045          (b) a uniformed-service voter whose voting residence is in the state and who otherwise
             1046      satisfies the state's voter eligibility requirements.
             1047          (2) "Dependent" means an individual recognized as a dependent by a uniformed
             1048      service.
             1049          (3) "Federal postcard application" means the application prescribed under the
             1050      Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, Sec. 101(b)(2), 42 U.S.C. Sec.
             1051      1973ff(b)(2).
             1052          (4) "Federal write-in absentee ballot" means the ballot described in the Uniformed and
             1053      Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, Sec. 103, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973ff-2.
             1054          (5) "Military-overseas ballot" means:
             1055          (a) a federal write-in absentee ballot;
             1056          (b) a ballot specifically prepared or distributed for use by a covered voter in accordance
             1057      with this chapter; or
             1058          (c) a ballot cast by a covered voter in accordance with this chapter.
             1059          (6) "Overseas voter" means a United States citizen who is outside the United States.
             1060          (7) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
             1061      the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction
             1062      of the United States.
             1063          (8) "Uniformed service" means:
             1064          (a) active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or
             1065      Coast Guard of the United States;


             1066          (b) the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the
             1067      commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United
             1068      States; or
             1069          (c) the National Guard.
             1070          (9) "Uniformed-service voter" means an individual who is qualified to vote and is:
             1071          (a) a member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force,
             1072      Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;
             1073          (b) a member of the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health
             1074      Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
             1075      of the United States;
             1076          (c) a member on activated status of the National Guard; or
             1077          (d) a spouse or dependent of a member referred to in Subsections (9)(a) through (c).
             1078          (10) "United States" means the several states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
             1079      the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory or insular possession subject to the
             1080      jurisdiction of the United States.
             1081          Section 22. Section 20A-16-103 is enacted to read:
             1082          20A-16-103. Application to elections.
             1083          The voting procedures in this chapter apply to an election authorized by this title.
             1084          Section 23. Section 20A-16-201 is enacted to read:
             1085     
Part 2. Administration of Military and Overseas Voting

             1086          20A-16-201. Duties of lieutenant governor.
             1087          The lieutenant governor shall:
             1088          (1) implement this chapter and the state's responsibilities under the Uniformed and
             1089      Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973ff et seq.;
             1090          (2) make available to covered voters information regarding voter registration
             1091      procedures for covered voters and procedures for casting military-overseas ballots;
             1092          (3) establish an electronic transmission system through which a covered voter may
             1093      apply for and receive voter registration materials, military-overseas ballots, and other


             1094      information under this chapter;
             1095          (4) (a) develop standardized absentee-voting materials, including privacy and
             1096      transmission envelopes and electronic equivalents of the envelopes, authentication materials,
             1097      and voting instructions, to be used with the military-overseas ballot of a voter authorized to
             1098      vote in any jurisdiction in the state; and
             1099          (b) to the extent reasonably possible, coordinate with other states on the development
             1100      required by Subsection (4)(a); and
             1101          (5) prescribe the form and content of a declaration:
             1102          (a) for use by a covered voter to swear or affirm specific representations pertaining to
             1103      the voter's identity, eligibility to vote, status as a covered voter, and timely and proper
             1104      completion of an overseas-military ballot;
             1105          (b) that is based on the declaration prescribed to accompany a federal write-in absentee
             1106      ballot, as modified to be consistent with this chapter; and
             1107          (c) that is a prominent part of all balloting materials for which the declaration is
             1108      required, including an indication of the date of execution of the declaration.
             1109          Section 24. Section 20A-16-202 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-3-413 is
             1110      renumbered and amended to read:
             1111           [20A-3-413].     20A-16-202. Report on absentee ballots.
             1112          (1) Not later than 60 days after each regular general election, each county clerk shall
             1113      submit a report to the lieutenant governor indicating:
             1114          (a) the number of ballots sent to [military and overseas citizen] covered voters; and
             1115          (b) the number of ballots returned by [military and overseas citizen] covered voters that
             1116      were counted.
             1117          (2) Not later than 90 days after each regular general election, the lieutenant governor
             1118      shall submit a statewide report to the Election Assistance Commission that includes the
             1119      information required by Subsection (1).
             1120          Section 25. Section 20A-16-301 is enacted to read:
             1121     
Part 3. Voter Registration


             1122          20A-16-301. Overseas voter's registration address.
             1123          In registering to vote, an overseas voter who is eligible to vote in the state shall:
             1124          (1) use and be assigned to the voting precinct of the address of the last place of
             1125      residence of the voter in the state; or
             1126          (2) if the address described in Subsection (1) is no longer a recognized residential
             1127      address, be assigned an address for voting purposes.
             1128          Section 26. Section 20A-16-302 is enacted to read:
             1129          20A-16-302. Methods of registering to vote.
             1130          (1) To apply to register to vote, in addition to any other approved method, a covered
             1131      voter may use a federal postcard application or the application's electronic equivalent.
             1132          (2) (a) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in
             1133      absentee ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal
             1134      write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by the Friday immediately before the
             1135      election.
             1136          (b) If the declaration is received after the Friday immediately before the election, the
             1137      declaration shall be treated as an application to register to vote for subsequent elections.
             1138          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that the electronic transmission system
             1139      described in Subsection 20A-16-201 (3) is capable of accepting both a federal postcard
             1140      application and any other approved electronic registration application sent to the appropriate
             1141      election official.
             1142          (b) The voter may use the electronic transmission system or any other approved
             1143      method to register to vote.
             1144          Section 27. Section 20A-16-401 is enacted to read:
             1145     
Part 4. Voting and Ballots

             1146          20A-16-401. Methods of applying for military-overseas ballots.
             1147          (1) A covered voter who is registered to vote in the state may apply for a
             1148      military-overseas ballot using:
             1149          (a) an absentee ballot application under Section 20A-3-304 ; or


             1150          (b) (i) the federal postcard application; or
             1151          (ii) the federal postcard application's electronic equivalent.
             1152          (2) A covered voter who is not registered to vote in this state may use a federal
             1153      postcard application or the federal postcard application's electronic equivalent to apply
             1154      simultaneously to register to vote under Section 20A-16-302 and for a military-overseas ballot.
             1155          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that the electronic transmission system
             1156      described in Subsection 20A-16-201 (3) is capable of accepting the submission of both a federal
             1157      postcard application and any other approved electronic military-overseas ballot application sent
             1158      to the appropriate election official.
             1159          (b) The voter may use the electronic transmission system or any other approved
             1160      method to apply for a military-overseas ballot.
             1161          (4) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee
             1162      ballot as an application for a military-overseas ballot simultaneously with the submission of the
             1163      federal write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by the appropriate election official
             1164      by the Friday immediately before the election.
             1165          (5) To receive the benefits of this chapter, a covered voter shall inform the appropriate
             1166      election official that the voter is a covered voter by:
             1167          (a) the use of a federal postcard application or federal write-in absentee ballot;
             1168          (b) the use of an overseas address on an approved voter registration application or
             1169      ballot application; or
             1170          (c) the inclusion on an approved voter registration application or ballot application of
             1171      other information sufficient to identify the voter as a covered voter.
             1172          (6) This chapter does not preclude a covered voter from voting under Chapter 3, Part 3,
             1173      Absentee Voting.
             1174          Section 28. Section 20A-16-402 is enacted to read:
             1175          20A-16-402. Timeliness and scope of application for military-overseas ballot.
             1176          (1) An application for a military-overseas ballot is timely if received by the Friday
             1177      immediately before the election.


             1178          (2) An application for a military-overseas ballot for a regular primary election or
             1179      municipal primary election, whether or not timely, is effective as an application for a
             1180      military-overseas ballot for the regular general election or municipal general election.
             1181          Section 29. Section 20A-16-403 is enacted to read:
             1182          20A-16-403. Transmission of unvoted ballots.
             1183          (1) For an election for which the state has not received a waiver pursuant to the
             1184      Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, Sec. 579, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1(g)(2), not later
             1185      than 45 days before the election or, notwithstanding Section 20A-1-401 , if the 45th day before
             1186      the election is a weekend or holiday, not later than the business day preceding the 45th day, the
             1187      election official in each jurisdiction charged with distributing a ballot and balloting materials
             1188      shall transmit a ballot and balloting materials to all covered voters who by that date submit a
             1189      valid military-overseas ballot application.
             1190          (2) (a) A covered voter who requests that a ballot and balloting materials be sent to the
             1191      voter by electronic transmission may choose:
             1192          (i) facsimile transmission;
             1193          (ii) email delivery; or
             1194          (iii) if offered by the voter's jurisdiction, Internet delivery.
             1195          (b) The election official in each jurisdiction charged with distributing a ballot and
             1196      balloting materials shall transmit the ballot and balloting materials to the voter using the means
             1197      of transmission chosen by the voter.
             1198          (3) If a ballot application from a covered voter arrives after the jurisdiction begins
             1199      transmitting ballots and balloting materials to voters, the official charged with distributing a
             1200      ballot and balloting materials shall transmit them to the voter not later than two business days
             1201      after the application arrives.
             1202          Section 30. Section 20A-16-404 is enacted to read:
             1203          20A-16-404. Timely casting of ballot.
             1204          To be valid, a military-overseas ballot shall be:
             1205          (1) received by the appropriate election officer not later than the close of the polls; or


             1206          (2) submitted for mailing, electronic transmission, or other authorized means of
             1207      delivery not later than 12:01 a.m., at the place where the voter completes the ballot, on the date
             1208      of the election.
             1209          Section 31. Section 20A-16-405 is enacted to read:
             1210          20A-16-405. Federal write-in absentee ballot.
             1211          A covered voter may use a federal write-in absentee ballot to vote for all offices and
             1212      ballot propositions in an election.
             1213          Section 32. Section 20A-16-406 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-3-409 is
             1214      renumbered and amended to read:
             1215           [20A-3-409].     20A-16-406. Disposition of ballot by county clerk.
             1216          (1) Upon receipt by the county clerk of the envelope containing [the] a
             1217      military-overseas ballot, the county clerk shall:
             1218          (a) enclose the unopened envelope containing the ballot and the written application of
             1219      the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter in a larger envelope;
             1220          (b) securely seal and endorse it with:
             1221          (i) the name or number of the proper voting precinct;
             1222          (ii) the name and official title of the clerk;
             1223          (iii) the words: "This envelope contains an absentee voter's official Utah election ballot
             1224      to be voted at ____ (Insert Name and Number) precinct, in ____ (Insert Name) county, and
             1225      may be opened on election day at the polls while the polls are open."; and
             1226          (c) safely keep the envelope in [his] the county clerk's office until [it] the envelope is
             1227      delivered by [him] the county clerk to the proper election judges.
             1228          (2) (a) When reasonably possible, the county clerk shall deliver or mail all [military or
             1229      overseas citizen] military-overseas voter ballot envelopes to the appropriate voting precinct
             1230      election judges so that [they] the ballots may be processed on election day.
             1231          (b) If the clerk is unable to determine the voting precinct to which the ballot should be
             1232      sent or when valid ballots are received too late to deliver to the election judges on election day,
             1233      the clerk shall keep them in a safe place until delivery can be made as required by Section


             1234      20A-3-309 .
             1235          Section 33. Section 20A-16-407 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-3-410 is
             1236      renumbered and amended to read:
             1237           [20A-3-410].     20A-16-407. Duty of election judges.
             1238          (1) (a) Voting precinct election judges shall open envelopes containing [military or
             1239      overseas citizen voter] military-overseas ballots that are in [their] the judges' custody on
             1240      election day at the polling places during the time the polls are open as provided in this
             1241      subsection.
             1242          (b) The election judges shall:
             1243          (i) first, open the outer envelope only; and
             1244          (ii) [unless the ballot is a disabled military or overseas citizen voter's ballot,] compare
             1245      the signature of the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter on the application with the
             1246      signature on the registration and voting certificate.
             1247          (2) (a) The judges shall register the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter to vote
             1248      if the voter is not already registered if the judges find that:
             1249          (i) the registration and voting certificate appears to be executed in proper form and
             1250      contains information qualifying the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter to be registered
             1251      as a voter; and
             1252          (ii) the signatures on the certificate and the application correspond, where a
             1253      comparison is required.
             1254          (b) If the election judges determine that the registration and voting certificate is
             1255      insufficient or that the signatures do not correspond, they shall:
             1256          (i) disallow the registration; and
             1257          (ii) without opening the ballot envelope, mark across the face of the envelope
             1258      "Rejected as defective because of __________ ." with the reason for the rejection placed in the
             1259      blank.
             1260          (c) When a [military or overseas citizen] covered voter's name is entered upon the
             1261      registration books, the voter is considered to be registered and the registration and voting


             1262      certificate, signed and sworn to by the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter on the back
             1263      of the ballot envelope, together with [his] the covered voter's name upon the registration books,
             1264      constitute [his] the covered voter's registration record.
             1265          (d) Nothing in this title may abridge the right of the [military or overseas citizen]
             1266      covered voter to be registered as provided in this section.
             1267          (3) (a) After registering the voter, the judges shall carefully open the ballot envelope so
             1268      as not to destroy the information printed on it if they find that:
             1269          (i) the registration and voting certificate is sufficient; and
             1270          (ii) the signatures on the certificate and the application correspond, where a
             1271      comparison is required.
             1272          (b) The election judges shall:
             1273          (i) remove the ballot from the envelope without unfolding it or permitting it to be
             1274      opened or examined;
             1275          (ii) initial the stub in the same manner as for other ballots;
             1276          (iii) deposit the ballot in the proper ballot box; and
             1277          (iv) mark the official register and pollbook to show that the voter has voted.
             1278          (c) If the election judges determine that the registration and voting certificate is
             1279      insufficient or that the signatures do not correspond, they shall:
             1280          (i) disallow the vote; and
             1281          (ii) without opening the ballot envelope, mark across the face of the envelope
             1282      "Rejected as defective because of __________ ." with the reason for the rejection placed in the
             1283      blank.
             1284          (4) The election judges shall deposit the envelope, when the ballot is voted, and the
             1285      envelope with its contents unopened, when the absent vote is rejected, in the ballot box
             1286      containing the ballots.
             1287          (5) The county clerk shall retain and preserve the envelopes in the manner provided by
             1288      law for the retention and preservation of official ballots voted at that election.
             1289          Section 34. Section 20A-16-408 is enacted to read:


             1290          20A-16-408. Receipt of voted ballot.
             1291          (1) A valid military-overseas ballot cast in accordance with Section 20A-16-404 shall
             1292      be counted if the military-overseas ballot is delivered by the end of business on the business
             1293      day before the latest deadline for completing the canvass to the address that the appropriate
             1294      state or local election office has specified.
             1295          (2) If, at the time of completing a military-overseas ballot and balloting materials, the
             1296      voter has declared under penalty of perjury as provided in Title 76, Chapter 8, Part 5,
             1297      Falsification in Official Matters, that the ballot was timely submitted, the ballot may not be
             1298      rejected on the basis that it has a late postmark, an unreadable postmark, or no postmark.
             1299          Section 35. Section 20A-16-409 is enacted to read:
             1300          20A-16-409. Declaration.
             1301          A military-overseas ballot shall include or be accompanied by:
             1302          (1) a declaration signed by a covered voter that a material misstatement of fact in
             1303      completing the ballot may be grounds for a conviction of perjury under the laws of the United
             1304      States or Title 76, Chapter 8, Part 5, Falsification in Official Matters; and
             1305          (2) the following statement if the military-overseas ballot is electronically transmitted:
             1306      "I understand that by electronically transmitting my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my
             1307      right to a secret ballot. Signature of voter ________________ Date _______".
             1308          Section 36. Section 20A-16-410 is enacted to read:
             1309          20A-16-410. Confirmation of receipt of application and voted ballot.
             1310          The lieutenant governor, in coordination with an election officer, shall implement an
             1311      electronic free-access system by which a covered voter may determine by telephone, electronic
             1312      mail, or Internet:
             1313          (1) whether the voter's federal postcard application or other registration or
             1314      military-overseas ballot application has been received and accepted;
             1315          (2) whether the voter's military-overseas ballot has been received; and
             1316          (3) the current status of the ballot.
             1317          Section 37. Section 20A-16-501 is enacted to read:


             1318     
Part 5. Miscellaneous

             1319          20A-16-501. Use of voter's email address.
             1320          (1) An election officer shall request an email address from each covered voter who
             1321      registers to vote after January 1, 2012.
             1322          (2) An email address provided by a covered voter:
             1323          (a) is a private record under Section 63G-2-302 ; and
             1324          (b) may be used only for official communication with the covered voter about the
             1325      voting process, including transmitting military-overseas ballots and election materials if the
             1326      voter has requested electronic transmission, and verifying the voter's mailing address and
             1327      physical location.
             1328          (3) The request for an email address shall:
             1329          (a) describe the purposes for which the email address may be used; and
             1330          (b) include a statement that any other use or disclosure of the email address is
             1331      prohibited.
             1332          (4) (a) A covered voter who provides an email address may request that the covered
             1333      voter's application for a military-overseas ballot be considered a standing request for electronic
             1334      delivery of a ballot for all elections held through December 31 of the year following the
             1335      calendar year of the date of the application or another shorter period the covered voter
             1336      specifies.
             1337          (b) An election official shall provide a military-overseas ballot to a covered voter who
             1338      makes a standing request for each election to which the request is applicable.
             1339          (c) A covered voter who is entitled to receive a military-overseas ballot for a primary
             1340      election under this Subsection (4) is entitled to receive a military-overseas ballot for the general
             1341      election.
             1342          Section 38. Section 20A-16-502 is enacted to read:
             1343          20A-16-502. Publication of election notice.
             1344          (1) At least 100 days before an election, other than a statewide special election or local
             1345      special election, and as soon as practicable before a statewide special election or local special


             1346      election, the election officer shall prepare an election notice for the election officer's
             1347      jurisdiction, to be used in conjunction with a federal write-in absentee ballot.
             1348          (2) The election notice must contain:
             1349          (a) a list of all of the ballot propositions and federal, state, and local offices that as of
             1350      that date the election officer expects to be on the ballot on the date of the election; and
             1351          (b) specific instructions for how a covered voter is to indicate on the federal write-in
             1352      absentee ballot the covered voter's choice for each office to be filled and for each ballot
             1353      proposition to be contested.
             1354          (3) (a) A covered voter may request a copy of an election notice.
             1355          (b) The election officer shall send the notice to the covered voter by facsimile, email,
             1356      or regular mail, as the covered voter requests.
             1357          (4) As soon as the ballot is certified, and not later than the date ballots are required to
             1358      be transmitted to voters under Chapter 3, Part 3, Absentee Voting, the official charged with
             1359      preparing the election notice under Subsection (1) shall update the notice with the certified
             1360      candidates for each office and ballot propositions questions and make the updated notice
             1361      publicly available.
             1362          (5) A political subdivision that maintains a website shall make the election notice
             1363      prepared under this section and updated versions of the election notice regularly available on
             1364      the website.
             1365          Section 39. Section 20A-16-503 is enacted to read:
             1366          20A-16-503. Prohibition of nonsubstantive requirements.
             1367          (1) (a) If a covered voter's mistake or omission in the completion of a document under
             1368      this chapter does not prevent determining whether a covered voter is eligible to vote, the
             1369      mistake or omission does not invalidate the document.
             1370          (b) Failure to satisfy a nonsubstantive requirement, such as using paper or envelopes of
             1371      a specified size or weight, does not invalidate a document submitted under this chapter.
             1372          (c) In a write-in ballot authorized by this chapter or in a vote for a write-in candidate on
             1373      a regular ballot, if the intention of the covered voter is discernable under this state's uniform


             1374      definition of what constitutes a vote, an abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in
             1375      the form of the name of a candidate or a political party is a valid vote.
             1376          (2) (a) Notarization is not required for the execution of a document under this chapter.
             1377          (b) (i) An authentication, other than the declaration specified in Section 20A-16-409 or
             1378      the declaration on the federal postcard application and federal write-in absentee ballot, is not
             1379      required for execution of a document under this chapter.
             1380          (ii) The declaration and any information in the declaration may be compared with
             1381      information on file to ascertain the validity of the document.
             1382          Section 40. Section 20A-16-504 is enacted to read:
             1383          20A-16-504. Equitable relief.
             1384          A court may issue an injunction or grant other equitable relief appropriate to ensure
             1385      substantial compliance with, or enforce, this chapter on application by:
             1386          (1) a covered voter alleging a grievance under this chapter; or
             1387          (2) an election officer.
             1388          Section 41. Section 20A-16-505 is enacted to read:
             1389          20A-16-505. Uniformity of application and construction.
             1390          In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration shall be given to the need to
             1391      promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
             1392          Section 42. Section 20A-16-506 is enacted to read:
             1393          20A-16-506. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce
             1394      Act.
             1395          This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and
             1396      National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede
             1397      Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the
             1398      notices described in Section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7003(b).
             1399          Section 43. Section 63G-2-302 is amended to read:
             1400           63G-2-302. Private records.
             1401          (1) The following records are private:


             1402          (a) records concerning an individual's eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits,
             1403      social services, welfare benefits, or the determination of benefit levels;
             1404          (b) records containing data on individuals describing medical history, diagnosis,
             1405      condition, treatment, evaluation, or similar medical data;
             1406          (c) records of publicly funded libraries that when examined alone or with other records
             1407      identify a patron;
             1408          (d) records received by or generated by or for:
             1409          (i) the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission, except for:
             1410          (A) the commission's summary data report that is required under legislative rule; and
             1411          (B) any other document that is classified as public under legislative rule; or
             1412          (ii) a Senate or House Ethics Committee in relation to the review of ethics complaints,
             1413      unless the record is classified as public under legislative rule;
             1414          (e) records received or generated for a Senate confirmation committee concerning
             1415      character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual:
             1416          (i) if prior to the meeting, the chair of the committee determines release of the records:
             1417          (A) reasonably could be expected to interfere with the investigation undertaken by the
             1418      committee; or
             1419          (B) would create a danger of depriving a person of a right to a fair proceeding or
             1420      impartial hearing; and
             1421          (ii) after the meeting, if the meeting was closed to the public;
             1422          (f) employment records concerning a current or former employee of, or applicant for
             1423      employment with, a governmental entity that would disclose that individual's home address,
             1424      home telephone number, Social Security number, insurance coverage, marital status, or payroll
             1425      deductions;
             1426          (g) records or parts of records under Section 63G-2-303 that a current or former
             1427      employee identifies as private according to the requirements of that section;
             1428          (h) that part of a record indicating a person's Social Security number or federal
             1429      employer identification number if provided under Section 31A-23a-104 , 31A-25-202 ,


             1430      31A-26-202 , 58-1-301 , 61-1-4 , or 61-2f-203 ;
             1431          (i) that part of a voter registration record identifying a voter's driver license or
             1432      identification card number, Social Security number, or last four digits of the Social Security
             1433      number;
             1434          (j) a record that:
             1435          (i) contains information about an individual;
             1436          (ii) is voluntarily provided by the individual; and
             1437          (iii) goes into an electronic database that:
             1438          (A) is designated by and administered under the authority of the Chief Information
             1439      Officer; and
             1440          (B) acts as a repository of information about the individual that can be electronically
             1441      retrieved and used to facilitate the individual's online interaction with a state agency;
             1442          (k) information provided to the Commissioner of Insurance under:
             1443          (i) Subsection 31A-23a-115 (2)(a);
             1444          (ii) Subsection 31A-23a-302 (3); or
             1445          (iii) Subsection 31A-26-210 (3);
             1446          (l) information obtained through a criminal background check under Title 11, Chapter
             1447      40, Criminal Background Checks by Political Subdivisions Operating Water Systems;
             1448          (m) information provided by an offender that is:
             1449          (i) required by the registration requirements of Section 77-27-21.5 ; and
             1450          (ii) not required to be made available to the public under Subsection 77-27-21.5 (27);
             1451      [and]
             1452          (n) a statement and any supporting documentation filed with the attorney general in
             1453      accordance with Section 34-45-107 , if the federal law or action supporting the filing involves
             1454      homeland security[.];
             1455          (o) an email address provided by a military or overseas voter under Section
             1456      20A-16-501 ; and
             1457          (p) a completed military-overseas ballot that is electronically transmitted under Title


             1458      20A, Chapter 16, Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act.
             1459          (2) The following records are private if properly classified by a governmental entity:
             1460          (a) records concerning a current or former employee of, or applicant for employment
             1461      with a governmental entity, including performance evaluations and personal status information
             1462      such as race, religion, or disabilities, but not including records that are public under Subsection
             1463      63G-2-301 (2)(b) or 63G-2-301 (3)(o), or private under Subsection (1)(b);
             1464          (b) records describing an individual's finances, except that the following are public:
             1465          (i) records described in Subsection 63G-2-301 (2);
             1466          (ii) information provided to the governmental entity for the purpose of complying with
             1467      a financial assurance requirement; or
             1468          (iii) records that must be disclosed in accordance with another statute;
             1469          (c) records of independent state agencies if the disclosure of those records would
             1470      conflict with the fiduciary obligations of the agency;
             1471          (d) other records containing data on individuals the disclosure of which constitutes a
             1472      clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
             1473          (e) records provided by the United States or by a government entity outside the state
             1474      that are given with the requirement that the records be managed as private records, if the
             1475      providing entity states in writing that the record would not be subject to public disclosure if
             1476      retained by it; and
             1477          (f) any portion of a record in the custody of the Division of Aging and Adult Services,
             1478      created in Section 62A-3-102 , that may disclose, or lead to the discovery of, the identity of a
             1479      person who made a report of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
             1480          (3) (a) As used in this Subsection (3), "medical records" means medical reports,
             1481      records, statements, history, diagnosis, condition, treatment, and evaluation.
             1482          (b) Medical records in the possession of the University of Utah Hospital, its clinics,
             1483      doctors, or affiliated entities are not private records or controlled records under Section
             1484      63G-2-304 when the records are sought:
             1485          (i) in connection with any legal or administrative proceeding in which the patient's


             1486      physical, mental, or emotional condition is an element of any claim or defense; or
             1487          (ii) after a patient's death, in any legal or administrative proceeding in which any party
             1488      relies upon the condition as an element of the claim or defense.
             1489          (c) Medical records are subject to production in a legal or administrative proceeding
             1490      according to state or federal statutes or rules of procedure and evidence as if the medical
             1491      records were in the possession of a nongovernmental medical care provider.
             1492          Section 44. Repealer.
             1493          This bill repeals:
             1494          Section 20A-3-401, Intent and purpose of part.
             1495          Section 20A-3-402, Scope of part.
             1496          Section 20A-3-403, Definitions.
             1497          Section 20A-3-404, Special military write-in absentee ballots.
             1498          Section 20A-3-404.5, Special overseas citizen voter absentee ballot.
             1499          Section 20A-3-405, Registration of military voters and overseas citizen voters.
             1500          Section 20A-3-406, Absentee ballots for military personnel and citizens living
             1501      overseas -- Federal postcard applications for ballot.
             1502          Section 20A-3-407, Mailing of ballot to military voter.
             1503          Section 20A-3-408, Voting of ballot by military or overseas citizen voter.
             1504          Section 20A-3-408.5, Electronic registration and voting by military and overseas
             1505      citizen voters in a hostile fire zone -- Procedures for accepting and processing a federal
             1506      postcard application form -- Returned ballot.
             1507          Section 20A-3-411, Challenge of ballot.
             1508          Section 20A-3-412, State and county officials to provide supplies -- Violation a
             1509      misdemeanor.
             1510          Section 45. Effective date.
             1511          This bill takes effect on January 1, 2012.
             1512          Section 46. Coordinating S.B. 162 with H.B. 33 -- Substantive amendments.
             1513          If this S.B 162 and H.B. 33, Election Law Revisions, both pass, it is the intent of the


             1514      Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall prepare the Utah
             1515      Code database for publication by amending Subsection 20A-14-105 (2)(b) to read:
             1516          "(b) notify the lieutenant governor of its selections by [September 15] August 31."
             1517          Section 47. Coordinating S.B. 162 with H.B. 230 -- Superseding technical and
             1518      substantive amendments.
             1519          If this S.B. 162 and H.B. 230, Disability Amendments, both pass, it is the intent of the
             1520      Legislature that the amendments in Section 20A-16-407 in this bill supersede the amendments
             1521      to Section 20A-3-410 in H.B. 230 when the Office of Legislative Research and General
             1522      Counsel prepares the Utah Code database for publication.


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