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Second Substitute S.B. 162

Senator Lyle W. Hillyard proposes the following substitute bill:


             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          .    designates an email address provided by, or a completed ballot transmitted by, a
             27      military or overseas voter as a private record; and
             28          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             29      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             30          None
             31      Other Special Clauses:
             32          This bill takes effect on January 1, 2012.
             33          This bill coordinates with H.B. 33, Election Law Revisions, by providing substantive
             34      amendments.
             35          This bill coordinates with H.B. 230, Disability Amendments, by superseding technical
             36      and substantive amendments.
             37      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             38      AMENDS:
             39          17B-1-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             40          20A-1-201.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 256 and 329
             41          20A-1-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 165
             42          20A-1-508, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             43          20A-1-509.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             44          20A-2-102.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             45          20A-3-308, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 75
             46          20A-5-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             47          20A-6-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 133
             48          20A-6-106, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 9 and 315
             49          20A-7-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 225 and 315
             50          20A-9-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 119
             51          20A-9-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             52          20A-9-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             53          20A-9-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 256
             54          20A-9-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 197
             55          20A-9-701, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             56          20A-12-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 93 and 225


             57          20A-14-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 315
             58          63G-2-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapters 36 and 379
             59      ENACTS:
             60          20A-16-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             61          20A-16-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             62          20A-16-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             63          20A-16-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             64          20A-16-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             65          20A-16-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             66          20A-16-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             67          20A-16-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             68          20A-16-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             69          20A-16-404, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             70          20A-16-405, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             71          20A-16-408, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             72          20A-16-409, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             73          20A-16-410, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             74          20A-16-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             75          20A-16-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             76          20A-16-503, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             77          20A-16-504, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             78          20A-16-505, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             79          20A-16-506, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             80      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             81          20A-16-202, (Renumbered from 20A-3-413, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter
             82      117)
             83          20A-16-406, (Renumbered from 20A-3-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1995,
             84      Chapter 340)
             85          20A-16-407, (Renumbered from 20A-3-410, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006,
             86      Chapter 16)
             87      REPEALS:


             88          20A-3-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 264
             89          20A-3-402, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             90          20A-3-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 273
             91          20A-3-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 225
             92          20A-3-404.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 20
             93          20A-3-405, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 228
             94          20A-3-406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 169
             95          20A-3-407, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             96          20A-3-408, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 112
             97          20A-3-408.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 191
             98          20A-3-411, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             99          20A-3-412, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1993, Chapter 1
             100      Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause:
             101          20A-14-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 315
             102          20A-16-407, (Renumbered from 20A-3-410, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006,
             103      Chapter 16)
             104     
             105      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             106          Section 1. Section 17B-1-306 is amended to read:
             107           17B-1-306. Local district board -- Election procedures.
             108          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (11), each elected board member shall be selected
             109      as provided in this section.
             110          (2) (a) Each election of a local district board member shall be held:
             111          (i) at the same time as the municipal general election; and
             112          (ii) at polling places designated by the county clerk in consultation with the local
             113      district for each county in which the local district is located, which polling places shall coincide
             114      with municipal general election polling places whenever feasible.
             115          (b) (i) Subject to Subsections (4)(f) and (g), the number of polling places under
             116      Subsection (2)(a)(ii) in an election of board members of an irrigation district shall be one
             117      polling place per division of the district, designated by the district board.
             118          (ii) Each polling place designated by an irrigation district board under Subsection


             119      (2)(b)(i) shall coincide with a polling place designated by the county clerk under Subsection
             120      (2)(a)(ii).
             121          (3) (a) The clerk of each local district with a board member position to be filled at the
             122      next municipal general election shall provide notice of:
             123          (i) each elective position of the local district to be filled at the next municipal general
             124      election;
             125          (ii) the constitutional and statutory qualifications for each position; and
             126          (iii) the dates and times for filing a declaration of candidacy.
             127          (b) The notice required under Subsection (3)(a) shall be:
             128          (i) posted in at least five public places within the local district at least 10 days before
             129      the first day for filing a declaration of candidacy; or
             130          (ii) (A) published in a newspaper of general circulation within the local district at least
             131      three but no more than 10 days before the first day for filing a declaration of candidacy; and
             132          (B) published, in accordance with Section 45-1-101 , for 10 days before the first day for
             133      filing a declaration of candidacy.
             134          (4) (a) To become a candidate for an elective local district board position, the
             135      prospective candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy in person with the local district,
             136      during office hours and not later than the close of normal office hours between [July] June 1
             137      and [July] June 15 of any odd-numbered year.
             138          (b) When [July] June 15 is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the filing time shall be
             139      extended until the close of normal office hours on the following regular business day.
             140          (c) (i) Before the filing officer may accept any declaration of candidacy, the filing
             141      officer shall:
             142          (A) read to the prospective candidate the constitutional and statutory qualification
             143      requirements for the office that the candidate is seeking; and
             144          (B) require the candidate to state whether or not the candidate meets those
             145      requirements.
             146          (ii) If the prospective candidate does not meet the qualification requirements for the
             147      office, the filing officer may not accept the declaration of candidacy.
             148          (iii) If it appears that the prospective candidate meets the requirements of candidacy,
             149      the filing officer shall accept the declaration of candidacy.


             150          (d) The declaration of candidacy shall substantially comply with the following form:
             151          "I, (print name) ____________, being first duly sworn, say that I reside at (Street)
             152      ____________, City of ________________, County of ________________, State of Utah,
             153      (Zip Code) ______, (Telephone Number, if any)____________; that I meet the qualifications
             154      for the office of board of trustees member for _______________________ (state the name of
             155      the local district); that I am a candidate for that office to be voted upon at the next election, and
             156      I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official ballot for that election.
             157          (Signed) _________________________________________
             158          Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ____________ on this ______ day
             159      of ____________, ____.
             160          (Signed) ________________________
             161              (Clerk or Notary Public)"
             162          (e) Each person wishing to become a valid write-in candidate for an elective local
             163      district board position is governed by Section 20A-9-601 .
             164          (f) If at least one person does not file a declaration of candidacy as required by this
             165      section, a person shall be appointed to fill that board position by following the procedures and
             166      requirements for appointment established in Section 20A-1-512 .
             167          (g) If only one candidate files a declaration of candidacy and there is no write-in
             168      candidate who complies with Section 20A-9-601 , the board need not hold an election for that
             169      position and may appoint the candidate to the board.
             170          (5) (a) A primary election may be held if:
             171          (i) the election is authorized by the local district board; and
             172          (ii) the number of candidates for a particular local board position or office exceeds
             173      twice the number of persons needed to fill that position or office.
             174          (b) The primary election shall be conducted:
             175          (i) on the same date as the municipal primary election, as provided for in Section
             176      20A-1-201.5 ; and
             177          (ii) according to the procedures for municipal primary elections provided under Title
             178      20A, Election Code.
             179          (6) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(c), the local district clerk shall certify the
             180      candidate names to the clerk of each county in which the local district is located no later than


             181      [August] July 20 of the municipal election year.
             182          (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(c), the clerk of each county in which the
             183      local district is located shall coordinate the placement of the name of each candidate for local
             184      district office in the nonpartisan section of the municipal general election ballot with the
             185      municipal election clerk.
             186          (ii) If consolidation of the local district election ballot with the municipal general
             187      election ballot is not feasible, the county clerk shall provide for a separate local district election
             188      ballot to be administered by poll workers at polling locations designated under Subsection (2).
             189          (c) (i) Subsections (6)(a) and (b) do not apply to an election of a member of the board
             190      of an irrigation district established under Chapter 2a, Part 5, Irrigation District Act.
             191          (ii) (A) Subject to Subsection (6)(c)(ii)(B), the board of each irrigation district shall
             192      prescribe the form of the ballot for each board member election.
             193          (B) Each ballot for an election of an irrigation district board member shall be in a
             194      nonpartisan format.
             195          (7) (a) Each voter at an election for a board of trustees member of a local district shall:
             196          (i) be a registered voter within the district, except for an election of:
             197          (A) an irrigation district board of trustees member; or
             198          (B) a basic local district board of trustees member who is elected by property owners;
             199      and
             200          (ii) meet the requirements to vote established by the district.
             201          (b) Each voter may vote for as many candidates as there are offices to be filled.
             202          (c) The candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected.
             203          (8) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the election of local district board
             204      members is governed by Title 20A, Election Code.
             205          (9) (a) A person elected to serve on a local district board shall serve a four-year term,
             206      beginning at noon on the January 1 after the person's election.
             207          (b) A person elected shall be sworn in as soon as practical after January 1.
             208          (10) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (10)(b), each local district shall reimburse
             209      the county or municipality holding an election under this section for the costs of the election
             210      attributable to that local district.
             211          (b) Each irrigation district shall bear its own costs of each election it holds under this


             212      section.
             213          (11) This section does not apply to an improvement district that provides electric or gas
             214      service.
             215          (12) The provisions of Title 20A, Chapter 3, Part 6, Early Voting, do not apply to an
             216      election under this section.
             217          Section 2. Section 20A-1-201.5 is amended to read:
             218           20A-1-201.5. Primary election dates.
             219          (1) A regular primary election shall be held throughout the state on the fourth Tuesday
             220      of June of each even numbered year as provided in Section 20A-9-403 , to nominate persons for
             221      national, state, school board, and county offices.
             222          (2) A municipal primary election shall be held, if necessary, on the second Tuesday
             223      following the first Monday in [September] August before the regular municipal election to
             224      nominate persons for municipal offices.
             225          (3) The Western States Presidential Primary election shall be held throughout the state
             226      on the first Tuesday in February in the year in which a presidential election will be held.
             227          Section 3. Section 20A-1-503 is amended to read:
             228           20A-1-503. Midterm vacancies in the Legislature.
             229          (1) As used in this section:
             230          (a) "Filing deadline" means the final date for filing:
             231          (i) a declaration of candidacy as provided in Section 20A-9-202 ; and
             232          (ii) a certificate of nomination as provided in Section 20A-9-503 .
             233          (b) "Party liaison" means the political party officer designated to serve as a liaison with
             234      the lieutenant governor on all matters relating to the political party's relationship with the state
             235      as required by Section 20A-8-401 .
             236          (2) When a vacancy occurs for any reason in the office of representative in the
             237      Legislature, the governor shall fill the vacancy by immediately appointing the person whose
             238      name was submitted by the party liaison of the same political party as the prior representative.
             239          (3) (a) Except as provided by Subsection (5), when a vacancy occurs for any reason in
             240      the office of senator in the Legislature, it shall be filled for the unexpired term at the next
             241      regular general election.
             242          (b) The governor shall fill the vacancy until the next regular general election by


             243      immediately appointing the person whose name was submitted by the party liaison of the same
             244      political party as the prior senator.
             245          (4) (a) If a vacancy described in Subsection (3)(a) occurs after the filing deadline but
             246      before [September 1] August 31 of an even-numbered year in which the term of office does not
             247      expire, the lieutenant governor shall:
             248          (i) establish a date, that is before the date for a candidate to be certified for the ballot
             249      under Section 20A-9-701 and no later than 21 days after the day on which the vacancy
             250      occurred, by which a person intending to obtain a position on the ballot for the vacant office
             251      shall file:
             252          (A) a declaration of candidacy; or
             253          (B) a certificate of nomination; and
             254          (ii) give notice of the vacancy and the date described in Subsection (4)(a)(i):
             255          (A) on the lieutenant governor's website; and
             256          (B) to each registered political party.
             257          (b) A person intending to obtain a position on the ballot for the vacant office shall:
             258          (i) by the date specified in Subsection (4)(a)(i), file a declaration of candidacy or
             259      certificate of nomination according to the procedures and requirements of Chapter 9, Candidate
             260      Qualifications and Nominating Procedures; and
             261          (ii) run in the regular general election if:
             262          (A) nominated as a party candidate; or
             263          (B) qualified as an unaffiliated candidate as provided by Chapter 9, Candidate
             264      Qualifications and Nominating Procedures.
             265          (c) If a vacancy described in Subsection (3)(a) occurs on or after [May 1] the first
             266      Monday after the third Saturday in April and before [September 1] August 31 of an
             267      even-numbered year in which the term of office does not expire, a party liaison from each
             268      registered political party may submit a name of a person described in Subsection (4)(b) to the
             269      lieutenant governor by August [31] 30 for placement on the regular general election ballot.
             270          (5) If a vacancy described in Subsection (3)(a) occurs on or after [September 1] August
             271      31 of an even-numbered year in which a term does not expire, the governor shall fill the
             272      vacancy for the unexpired term by immediately appointing the person whose name was
             273      submitted by the party liaison of the same political party as the prior senator.


             274          Section 4. Section 20A-1-508 is amended to read:
             275           20A-1-508. Midterm vacancies in county elected offices.
             276          (1) As used in this section:
             277          (a) "County offices" includes the county executive, members of the county legislative
             278      body, the county treasurer, the county sheriff, the county clerk, the county auditor, the county
             279      recorder, the county surveyor, and the county assessor.
             280          (b) "County offices" does not mean the offices of president and vice president of the
             281      United States, United States senators and representatives, members of the Utah Legislature,
             282      state constitutional officers, county attorneys, district attorneys, and judges.
             283          (2) (a) Until a replacement is selected as provided in this section and has qualified, the
             284      county legislative body shall appoint an interim replacement to fill the vacant office by
             285      following the procedures and requirements of this Subsection (2).
             286          (b) (i) To appoint an interim replacement, the county legislative body shall give notice
             287      of the vacancy to the county central committee of the same political party of the prior office
             288      holder and invite that committee to submit the names of three nominees to fill the vacancy.
             289          (ii) That county central committee shall, within 30 days, submit the names of three
             290      nominees for the interim replacement to the county legislative body.
             291          (iii) The county legislative body shall, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs, appoint
             292      one of those nominees to serve out the unexpired term.
             293          (c) (i) If the county legislative body fails to appoint an interim replacement to fill the
             294      vacancy within 45 days, the county clerk shall send to the governor a letter that:
             295          (A) informs the governor that the county legislative body has failed to appoint a
             296      replacement within the statutory time period; and
             297          (B) contains the list of nominees submitted by the party central committee.
             298          (ii) The governor shall appoint an interim replacement from that list of nominees to fill
             299      the vacancy within 30 days after receipt of the letter.
             300          (d) A person appointed as interim replacement under this Subsection (2) shall hold
             301      office until their successor is elected and has qualified.
             302          (3) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (3) apply to all county offices that become
             303      vacant if:
             304          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and


             305          (ii) the vacancy occurs after the election at which the person was elected but before
             306      April 10 of the next even-numbered year.
             307          (b) (i) When the conditions established in Subsection (3)(a) are met, the county clerk
             308      shall notify the public and each registered political party that the vacancy exists.
             309          (ii) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant office shall:
             310          (A) file a declaration of candidacy according to the procedures and requirements of
             311      Chapter 9, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy; and
             312          (B) if nominated as a party candidate or qualified as an independent or write-in
             313      candidate under Chapter 8, Political Party Formation and Procedures, run in the regular general
             314      election.
             315          (4) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (4) apply to all county offices that become
             316      vacant if:
             317          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             318          (ii) the vacancy occurs after April 9 of the next even-numbered year but more than [50]
             319      75 days before the regular primary election.
             320          (b) (i) When the conditions established in Subsection (4)(a) are met, the county clerk
             321      shall notify the public and each registered political party that:
             322          (A) the vacancy exists; and
             323          (B) identifies the date and time by which a person interested in becoming a candidate
             324      must file a declaration of candidacy.
             325          (ii) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant offices shall, within five
             326      days after the date that the notice is made, ending at the close of normal office hours on the
             327      fifth day, file a declaration of candidacy for the vacant office as required by Chapter 9, Part 2,
             328      Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy.
             329          (iii) The county central committee of each party shall:
             330          (A) select a candidate or candidates from among those qualified candidates who have
             331      filed declarations of candidacy; and
             332          (B) certify the name of the candidate or candidates to the county clerk at least [35] 60
             333      days before the regular primary election.
             334          (5) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (5) apply to all county offices that become
             335      vacant:


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


             367      legislative body.
             368          (8) Nothing in this section prevents or prohibits independent candidates from filing a
             369      declaration of candidacy for the office within the same time limits.
             370          (9) (a) Each person elected under Subsection (3), (4), or (5) to fill a vacancy in a
             371      county office shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of the person who created the
             372      vacancy and until a successor is elected and qualified.
             373          (b) Nothing in this section may be construed to contradict or alter the provisions of
             374      Section 17-16-6 .
             375          Section 5. Section 20A-1-509.1 is amended to read:
             376           20A-1-509.1. Procedure for filling midterm vacancy in county or district with 15
             377      or more attorneys.
             378          (1) When a vacancy occurs in the office of county or district attorney in a county or
             379      district having 15 or more attorneys who are licensed active members in good standing with the
             380      Utah State Bar and registered voters, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in this section.
             381          (2) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (2) apply when the office of county
             382      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             383          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             384          (ii) the vacancy occurs before the third [Friday] Thursday in March of the
             385      even-numbered year.
             386          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (2)(a) are met, the county clerk shall
             387      notify the public and each registered political party that the vacancy exists.
             388          (c) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant office shall:
             389          (i) file a declaration of candidacy according to the procedures and requirements of
             390      [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and Declarations of Candidacy;
             391          (ii) if nominated as a party candidate or qualified as an independent or write-in
             392      candidate under [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Candidate Qualifications and Nominating Procedures,
             393      run in the regular general election; and
             394          (iii) if elected, complete the unexpired term of the person who created the vacancy.
             395          (d) If the vacancy occurs after the second Friday in March and before the third [Friday]
             396      Thursday in March, the time for filing a declaration of candidacy under Section 20A-9-202
             397      shall be extended until seven days after the county clerk gives notice under Subsection (2)(b),


             398      but no later than the fourth [Friday] Thursday in March.
             399          (3) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (3) apply when the office of county
             400      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             401          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             402          (ii) the vacancy occurs after the third [Friday] Thursday in March of the
             403      even-numbered year but more than [50] 75 days before the regular primary election.
             404          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (3)(a) are met, the county clerk
             405      shall:
             406          (i) notify the public and each registered political party that the vacancy exists; and
             407          (ii) identify the date and time by which a person interested in becoming a candidate
             408      must file a declaration of candidacy.
             409          (c) All persons intending to become candidates for the vacant office shall:
             410          (i) within five days after the date that the notice is made, ending at [at] the close of
             411      normal office hours on the fifth day, file a declaration of candidacy for the vacant office as
             412      required by [Title 20A,] Chapter 9, Part 2, Candidate Qualifications and [Nominating
             413      Procedures] Declaration of Candidacy; and
             414          (ii) if elected, complete the unexpired term of the person who created the vacancy.
             415          (d) The county central committee of each party shall:
             416          (i) select a candidate or candidates from among those qualified candidates who have
             417      filed declarations of candidacy; and
             418          (ii) certify the name of the candidate or candidates to the county clerk at least [35] 60
             419      days before the regular primary election.
             420          (4) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (4) apply when the office of county
             421      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             422          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more; and
             423          (ii) [50] 75 days or less remain before the regular primary election but more than [50]
             424      65 days remain before the regular general election.
             425          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (4)(a) are met, the county central
             426      committees of each registered political party that wish to submit a candidate for the office shall
             427      summarily certify the name of one candidate to the county clerk for placement on the regular
             428      general election ballot.


             429          (c) The candidate elected shall complete the unexpired term of the person who created
             430      the vacancy.
             431          (5) (a) The requirements of this Subsection (5) apply when the office of county
             432      attorney or district attorney becomes vacant and:
             433          (i) the vacant office has an unexpired term of less than two years; or
             434          (ii) the vacant office has an unexpired term of two years or more but [50] 65 days or
             435      less remain before the next regular general election.
             436          (b) When the conditions established in Subsection (5)(a) are met, the county legislative
             437      body shall give notice of the vacancy to the county central committee of the same political
             438      party of the prior officeholder and invite that committee to submit the names of three nominees
             439      to fill the vacancy.
             440          (c) That county central committee shall, within 30 days of receiving notice from the
             441      county legislative body, submit to the county legislative body the names of three nominees to
             442      fill the vacancy.
             443          (d) The county legislative body shall, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs, appoint
             444      one of those nominees to serve out the unexpired term.
             445          (e) If the county legislative body fails to appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 45
             446      days, the county clerk shall send to the governor a letter that:
             447          (i) informs the governor that the county legislative body has failed to appoint a person
             448      to fill the vacancy within the statutory time period; and
             449          (ii) contains the list of nominees submitted by the party central committee.
             450          (f) The governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy from that list of nominees
             451      within 30 days after receipt of the letter.
             452          (g) A person appointed to fill the vacancy under Subsection (5) shall complete the
             453      unexpired term of the person who created the vacancy.
             454          (6) Nothing in this section prevents or prohibits independent candidates from filing a
             455      declaration of candidacy for the office within the required time limits.
             456          Section 6. Section 20A-2-102.5 is amended to read:
             457           20A-2-102.5. Voter registration deadline.
             458          (1) Except as provided in Section 20A-2-201 [and in Title 20A, Chapter 3, Part 4,
             459      Voting by Members of the Military and by Other Persons Living or Serving Abroad] and


             460      Chapter 16, Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act, a person who fails to submit a
             461      correctly completed voter registration form on or before the voter registration deadline shall not
             462      be permitted to vote in the election.
             463          (2) The voter registration deadline shall be the date that is 30 calendar days before the
             464      date of the election.
             465          Section 7. Section 20A-3-308 is amended to read:
             466           20A-3-308. Absentee ballots in the custody of poll workers -- Disposition.
             467          (1) (a) Voting precinct poll workers shall open envelopes containing absentee ballots
             468      that are in their custody on election day at the polling places during the time the polls are open
             469      as provided in this Subsection (1).
             470          (b) The poll workers shall:
             471          (i) first, open the outer envelope only; and
             472          (ii) compare the signature of the voter on the application with the signature on the
             473      affidavit.
             474          (2) (a) The poll workers shall carefully open and remove the absentee voter envelope
             475      so as not to destroy the affidavit on the envelope if they find that:
             476          (i) the affidavit is sufficient;
             477          (ii) the signatures correspond; and
             478          (iii) the applicant is registered to vote in that voting precinct and has not voted in that
             479      election.
             480          (b) If, after opening the absentee voter envelope, the poll worker finds that a
             481      provisional ballot envelope is enclosed, the poll worker shall:
             482          (i) record, in the official register, whether [or not]:
             483          (A) the voter included valid voter identification; or
             484          (B) a covered voter, as defined in Section 20A-16-102 , did not provide valid voter
             485      identification as permitted by Public Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002;
             486          (ii) if any type of identification was included, record the type of identification provided
             487      by the voter in the appropriate space in the official register;
             488          (iii) record the provisional ballot number on the official register; and
             489          (iv) place the provisional ballot envelope with the other provisional ballot envelopes to
             490      be transmitted to the county clerk.


             491          (c) If the absentee ballot is not a provisional ballot, the poll workers shall:
             492          (i) remove the absentee ballot from the envelope without unfolding it or permitting it to
             493      be opened or examined;
             494          (ii) initial the stub in the same manner as for other ballots;
             495          (iii) remove the stub from the ballot;
             496          (iv) deposit the ballot in the ballot box; and
             497          (v) mark the official register and pollbook to show that the voter has voted.
             498          (3) If the poll workers determine that the affidavit is insufficient, or that the signatures
             499      do not correspond, or that the applicant is not a registered voter in the voting precinct, they
             500      shall:
             501          (a) disallow the vote; and
             502          (b) without opening the absentee voter envelope, mark across the face of the envelope:
             503          (i) "Rejected as defective"; or
             504          (ii) "Rejected as not a registered voter."
             505          (4) The poll workers shall deposit the absentee voter envelope, when the absentee
             506      ballot is voted, and the absentee voter envelope with its contents unopened when the absent
             507      vote is rejected, in the ballot box containing the ballots.
             508          (5) The election officer shall retain and preserve the absentee voter envelopes in the
             509      manner provided by law for the retention and preservation of official ballots voted at that
             510      election.
             511          Section 8. Section 20A-5-409 is amended to read:
             512           20A-5-409. Certification of candidates to county clerks.
             513          No later than [September 8] August 31 of each regular general election year, the
             514      lieutenant governor shall certify to each county clerk the name of each candidate qualified to be
             515      printed on the regular general election ballot for that county clerk's county.
             516          Section 9. Section 20A-6-103 is amended to read:
             517           20A-6-103. Internet voting pilot project.
             518          Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any county may, if selected by the
             519      Department of Defense, participate in the Federal Voting Assistance Program pilot project to
             520      allow [military and voters overseas as defined by Section 20A-3-403 ] a covered voter as
             521      defined in Section 20A-16-102 to register to vote and cast their votes electronically.


             522          Section 10. Section 20A-6-106 is amended to read:
             523           20A-6-106. Deadline for submission of ballot titles.
             524          Unless otherwise specifically provided for by statute, the certified ballot title of each
             525      ballot proposition, ballot question, or ballot issue shall be submitted to the election officer no
             526      later than [60] 65 days before the date of the election at which the matter will be submitted to
             527      the voters.
             528          Section 11. Section 20A-7-103 is amended to read:
             529           20A-7-103. Constitutional amendments and other questions submitted by the
             530      Legislature -- Publication -- Ballot title -- Procedures for submission to popular vote.
             531          (1) The procedures contained in this section govern when the Legislature submits a
             532      proposed constitutional amendment or other question to the voters.
             533          (2) In addition to the publication in the voter information pamphlet required by Section
             534      20A-7-702 , the lieutenant governor shall, not more than 60 days or less than 14 days before the
             535      date of the election, publish the full text of the amendment, question, or statute in at least one
             536      newspaper in every county of the state where a newspaper is published.
             537          (3) The legislative general counsel shall:
             538          (a) entitle each proposed constitutional amendment "Constitutional Amendment __"
             539      and assign it a letter according to the requirements of Section 20A-6-107 ;
             540          (b) entitle each proposed question " Proposition Number __" with the number assigned
             541      to the proposition under Section 20A-6-107 placed in the blank;
             542          (c) draft and designate a ballot title for each proposed amendment or question
             543      submitted by the Legislature that summarizes the subject matter of the amendment or question;
             544      and
             545          (d) deliver each number and title to the lieutenant governor.
             546          (4) The lieutenant governor shall certify the number and ballot title of each amendment
             547      or question to the county clerk of each county no later than [50] 65 days before the date of the
             548      election.
             549          (5) The county clerk of each county shall:
             550          (a) ensure that both the number and title of each amendment and question is printed on
             551      the sample ballots and official ballots; and
             552          (b) publish them as provided by law.


             553          Section 12. Section 20A-9-202 is amended to read:
             554           20A-9-202. Declarations of candidacy for regular general elections --
             555      Requirements for candidates.
             556          (1) (a) Each person seeking to become a candidate for elective office for any county
             557      office that is to be filled at the next regular general election shall:
             558          (i) file a declaration of candidacy in person with the county clerk on or after the second
             559      Friday in March and before 5 p.m. on the third [Friday] Thursday in March before the next
             560      regular general election; and
             561          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             562          (b) Each person intending to become a candidate for any legislative office or
             563      multicounty office that is to be filled at the next regular general election shall:
             564          (i) file a declaration of candidacy in person with either the lieutenant governor or the
             565      county clerk in the candidate's county of residence on or after the second Friday in March and
             566      before 5 p.m. on the third [Friday] Thursday in March before the next regular general election;
             567      and
             568          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             569          (c) (i) Each county clerk who receives a declaration of candidacy from a candidate for
             570      multicounty office shall transmit the filing fee and a copy of the candidate's declaration of
             571      candidacy to the lieutenant governor within one working day after it is filed.
             572          (ii) Each day during the filing period, each county clerk shall notify the lieutenant
             573      governor electronically or by telephone of legislative candidates who have filed in their office.
             574          (d) Each person seeking to become a candidate for elective office for any federal office
             575      or constitutional office that is to be filled at the next regular general election shall:
             576          (i) file a declaration of candidacy in person with the lieutenant governor on or after the
             577      second Friday in March and before 5 p.m. on the third [Friday] Thursday in March before the
             578      next regular general election; and
             579          (ii) pay the filing fee.
             580          (e) Each person seeking the office of lieutenant governor, the office of district attorney,
             581      or the office of President or Vice President of the United States shall comply with the specific
             582      declaration of candidacy requirements established by this section.
             583          (2) (a) Each person intending to become a candidate for the office of district attorney


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


             615      problem by amending the declaration or petition within three days after the objection is
             616      sustained or by filing a new declaration within three days after the objection is sustained.
             617          (d) (i) The clerk's or lieutenant governor's decision upon objections to form is final.
             618          (ii) The clerk's or lieutenant governor's decision upon substantive matters is reviewable
             619      by a district court if prompt application is made to the court.
             620          (iii) The decision of the district court is final unless the Supreme Court, in the exercise
             621      of its discretion, agrees to review the lower court decision.
             622          (6) Any person who filed a declaration of candidacy may withdraw as a candidate by
             623      filing a written affidavit with the clerk.
             624          Section 13. Section 20A-9-203 is amended to read:
             625           20A-9-203. Declarations of candidacy -- Municipal general elections.
             626          (1) (a) (i) A person may become a candidate for any municipal office if:
             627          (A) the person is a registered voter; and
             628          (B) (I) the person has resided within the municipality in which that person seeks to
             629      hold elective office for the 12 consecutive months immediately before the date of the election;
             630      or
             631          (II) if the territory in which the person resides was annexed into the municipality, the
             632      person has resided within the annexed territory or the municipality the 12 consecutive months
             633      immediately before the date of the election.
             634          (ii) For purposes of determining whether a person meets the residency requirement of
             635      Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B)(I) in a municipality that was incorporated less than 12 months before
             636      the election, the municipality shall be considered to have been incorporated 12 months before
             637      the date of the election.
             638          (b) In addition to the requirements of Subsection (1)(a), each candidate for a municipal
             639      council position shall, if elected from a district, be a resident of the council district from which
             640      elected.
             641          (c) In accordance with Utah Constitution Article IV, Section 6, any mentally
             642      incompetent person, any person convicted of a felony, or any person convicted of treason or a
             643      crime against the elective franchise may not hold office in this state until the right to hold
             644      elective office is restored under Section 20A-2-101.5 .
             645          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (2)(c), each person seeking to


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


             677          (c) If it appears that the prospective candidate meets the requirements of candidacy, the
             678      filing officer shall:
             679          (i) inform the candidate that the candidate's name will appear on the ballot as it is
             680      written on the declaration of candidacy;
             681          (ii) provide the candidate with a copy of the current campaign financial disclosure laws
             682      for the office the candidate is seeking and inform the candidate that failure to comply will
             683      result in disqualification as a candidate and removal of the candidate's name from the ballot;
             684          (iii) provide the candidate with a copy of Section 20A-7-801 regarding the Statewide
             685      Electronic Voter Information Website Program and inform the candidate of the submission
             686      deadline under Subsection 20A-7-801 (4)(a);
             687          (iv) provide the candidate with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign practices
             688      described under Section 20A-9-206 and inform the candidate that:
             689          (A) signing the pledge is voluntary; and
             690          (B) signed pledges shall be filed with the filing officer; and
             691          (v) accept the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition.
             692          (d) If the candidate elects to sign the pledge of fair campaign practices, the filing
             693      officer shall:
             694          (i) accept the candidate's pledge; and
             695          (ii) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             696      candidate's pledge to the chair of the county or state political party of which the candidate is a
             697      member.
             698          (4) The declaration of candidacy shall substantially comply with the following form:
             699          "I, (print name) ____, being first sworn, say that I reside at ____ Street, City of ____,
             700      County of ____, state of Utah, Zip Code ____, Telephone Number (if any) ____; that I am a
             701      registered voter; and that I am a candidate for the office of ____ (stating the term). I will meet
             702      the legal qualifications required of candidates for this office. I will file all campaign financial
             703      disclosure reports as required by law and I understand that failure to do so will result in my
             704      disqualification as a candidate for this office and removal of my name from the ballot. I
             705      request that my name be printed upon the applicable official ballots. (Signed)
             706      _______________
             707          Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ____ on this


             708      __________(month\day\year).
             709          (Signed) _______________ (Clerk or other officer qualified to administer oath)"
             710          (5) (a) In all first and second class cities, and in third, fourth, or fifth class cities that
             711      have not passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection (2)(b) and in towns that have not
             712      passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection (2)(b), any registered voter may be nominated
             713      for municipal office by submitting a petition signed by:
             714          (i) 25 residents of the municipality who are at least 18 years old; or
             715          (ii) 20% of the residents of the municipality who are at least 18 years old.
             716          (b) (i) The petition shall substantially conform to the following form:
             717     
"NOMINATION PETITION

             718          The undersigned residents of (name of municipality) being 18 years old or older
             719      nominate (name of nominee) to the office of ____ for the (two or four-year term, whichever is
             720      applicable)."
             721          (ii) The remainder of the petition shall contain lines and columns for the signatures of
             722      persons signing the petition and their addresses and telephone numbers.
             723          (6) (a) In third, fourth, and fifth class cities that have passed the ordinance authorized
             724      by Subsection (2)(b), and in towns that have passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection
             725      (2)(b), any registered voter may be nominated for municipal office by submitting a petition
             726      signed by the same percentage of registered voters in the municipality as required by the
             727      ordinance passed under authority of Subsection (2)(b).
             728          (b) (i) The petition shall substantially conform to the following form:
             729          "NOMINATION PETITION
             730          The undersigned residents of (name of municipality) being 18 years old or older
             731      nominate (name of nominee) to the office of (name of office) for the (two or four-year term,
             732      whichever is applicable)."
             733          (ii) The remainder of the petition shall contain lines and columns for the signatures of
             734      persons signing the petition and their addresses and telephone numbers.
             735          (7) If the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition fails to state whether the
             736      nomination is for the two or four-year term, the clerk shall consider the nomination to be for
             737      the four-year term.
             738          (8) (a) The clerk shall verify with the county clerk that all candidates are registered


             739      voters.
             740          (b) Any candidate who is not registered to vote is disqualified and the clerk may not
             741      print the candidate's name on the ballot.
             742          (9) Immediately after expiration of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy, the
             743      clerk shall:
             744          (a) cause the names of the candidates as they will appear on the ballot to be published:
             745          (i) in at least two successive publications of a newspaper with general circulation in the
             746      municipality; and
             747          (ii) as required in Section 45-1-101 ; and
             748          (b) notify the lieutenant governor of the names of the candidates as they will appear on
             749      the ballot.
             750          (10) A declaration of candidacy or nomination petition filed under this section may not
             751      be amended after the expiration of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy.
             752          (11) (a) A declaration of candidacy or nomination petition filed under this section is
             753      valid unless a written objection is filed with the clerk within five days after the last day for
             754      filing.
             755          (b) If an objection is made, the clerk shall:
             756          (i) mail or personally deliver notice of the objection to the affected candidate
             757      immediately; and
             758          (ii) decide any objection within 48 hours after it is filed.
             759          (c) If the clerk sustains the objection, the candidate may correct the problem by
             760      amending the declaration or petition within three days after the objection is sustained or by
             761      filing a new declaration within three days after the objection is sustained.
             762          (d) (i) The clerk's decision upon objections to form is final.
             763          (ii) The clerk's decision upon substantive matters is reviewable by a district court if
             764      prompt application is made to the district court.
             765          (iii) The decision of the district court is final unless the Supreme Court, in the exercise
             766      of its discretion, agrees to review the lower court decision.
             767          (12) Any person who filed a declaration of candidacy and was nominated, and any
             768      person who was nominated by a nomination petition, may, any time up to 23 days before the
             769      election, withdraw the nomination by filing a written affidavit with the clerk.


             770          Section 14. Section 20A-9-403 is amended to read:
             771           20A-9-403. Regular primary elections.
             772          (1) (a) The fourth Tuesday of June of each even-numbered year is designated as regular
             773      primary election day.
             774          (b) Each registered political party that chooses to use the primary election process to
             775      nominate some or all of its candidates shall comply with the requirements of this section.
             776          (2) (a) As a condition for using the state's election system, each registered political
             777      party that wishes to participate in the primary election shall:
             778          (i) declare their intent to participate in the primary election;
             779          (ii) identify one or more registered political parties whose members may vote for the
             780      registered political party's candidates and whether or not persons identified as unaffiliated with
             781      a political party may vote for the registered political party's candidates; and
             782          (iii) certify that information to the lieutenant governor no later than 5 p.m. on March 1
             783      of each even-numbered year.
             784          (b) As a condition for using the state's election system, each registered political party
             785      that wishes to participate in the primary election shall:
             786          (i) certify the name and office of all of the registered political party's candidates to the
             787      lieutenant governor no later than 5 p.m. [on May 13] on the first Monday after the third
             788      Saturday in April of each even-numbered year; and
             789          (ii) certify the name and office of each of its county candidates to the county clerks by
             790      5 p.m. on [May 13] the first Monday after the third Saturday in April of each even-numbered
             791      year.
             792          (c) By 5 p.m. on [May 16] the first Wednesday after the third Saturday in April of each
             793      even-numbered year, the lieutenant governor shall send the county clerks a certified list of the
             794      names of all statewide or multicounty candidates that must be printed on the primary ballot.
             795          (d) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(d)(ii), if a registered political party does
             796      not wish to participate in the primary election, it shall submit the names of its county
             797      candidates to the county clerks and the names of all of its candidates to the lieutenant governor
             798      by 5 p.m. on May 30 of each even-numbered year.
             799          (ii) A registered political party's candidates for President and Vice-President of the
             800      United States shall be certified to the lieutenant governor as provided in Subsection


             801      20A-9-202 (4).
             802          (e) Each political party shall certify the names of its presidential and vice-presidential
             803      candidates and presidential electors to the lieutenant governor's office no later than September
             804      8 of each presidential election year.
             805          (3) The county clerk shall:
             806          (a) review the declarations of candidacy filed by candidates for local boards of
             807      education to determine if more than two candidates have filed for the same seat;
             808          (b) place the names of all candidates who have filed a declaration of candidacy for a
             809      local board of education seat on the nonpartisan section of the ballot if more than two
             810      candidates have filed for the same seat; and
             811          (c) conduct a lottery to determine the order of the candidates' names on the ballot.
             812          (4) After the county clerk receives the certified list from a registered political party, the
             813      county clerk shall post or publish a primary election notice in substantially the following form:
             814          "Notice is given that a primary election will be held Tuesday, June ____,
             815      ________(year), to nominate party candidates for the parties and nonpartisan offices listed on
             816      the primary ballot. The polling place for voting precinct ____ is ____. The polls will open at 7
             817      a.m. and continue open until 8 p.m. of the same day. Attest: county clerk["]."
             818          (5) (a) Candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast for each office at the
             819      regular primary election are nominated by their party or nonpartisan group for that office.
             820          (b) If two or more candidates are to be elected to the office at the regular general
             821      election, those party candidates equal in number to positions to be filled who receive the
             822      highest number of votes at the regular primary election are the nominees of their party for those
             823      positions.
             824          (6) (a) When a tie vote occurs in any primary election for any national, state, or other
             825      office that represents more than one county, the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney
             826      general shall, at a public meeting called by the governor and in the presence of the candidates
             827      involved, select the nominee by lot cast in whatever manner the governor determines.
             828          (b) When a tie vote occurs in any primary election for any county office, the district
             829      court judges of the district in which the county is located shall, at a public meeting called by
             830      the judges and in the presence of the candidates involved, select the nominee by lot cast in
             831      whatever manner the judges determine.


             832          (7) The expense of providing all ballots, blanks, or other supplies to be used at any
             833      primary election provided for by this section, and all expenses necessarily incurred in the
             834      preparation for or the conduct of that primary election shall be paid out of the treasury of the
             835      county or state, in the same manner as for the regular general elections.
             836          Section 15. Section 20A-9-404 is amended to read:
             837           20A-9-404. Municipal primary elections.
             838          (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, candidates for municipal office in
             839      all municipalities shall be nominated at a municipal primary election.
             840          (b) Municipal primary elections shall be held:
             841          (i) consistent with Section 20A-1-201.5 , on the second Tuesday following the first
             842      Monday in the [September] August before the regular municipal election; and
             843          (ii) whenever possible, at the same polling places as the regular municipal election.
             844          (2) If the number of candidates for a particular municipal office does not exceed twice
             845      the number of persons needed to fill that office, a primary election for that office may not be
             846      held and the candidates are considered nominated.
             847          (3) (a) For purposes of this Subsection (3), "convention" means an organized assembly
             848      of voters or delegates.
             849          (b) (i) By ordinance adopted before the [June] May 1 that falls before a regular
             850      municipal election, any third, fourth, or fifth class city or town may exempt itself from a
             851      primary election by providing that the nomination of candidates for municipal office to be
             852      voted upon at a municipal election be nominated by a political party convention or committee.
             853          (ii) Any primary election exemption ordinance adopted under the authority of this
             854      subsection remains in effect until repealed by ordinance.
             855          (c) (i) A convention or committee may not nominate more than one group of
             856      candidates or have placed on the ballot more than one group of candidates for the municipal
             857      offices to be voted upon at the municipal election.
             858          (ii) A convention or committee may nominate a person who has been nominated by a
             859      different convention or committee.
             860          (iii) A political party may not have more than one group of candidates placed upon the
             861      ballot and may not group the same candidates on different tickets by the same party under a
             862      different name or emblem.


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


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


             925          (i) detach the part of the ballot containing the names of the candidates of the party he
             926      has voted from the rest of the ballot;
             927          (ii) fold the detached part so that its face is concealed and deposit it in the ballot box;
             928      and
             929          (iii) fold the remainder of the ballot containing the names of the candidates of the
             930      parties for whom the elector did not vote and deposit it in the blank ballot box.
             931          (f) Immediately after the canvass, the election judges shall, without examination,
             932      destroy the tickets deposited in the blank ballot box.
             933          Section 16. Section 20A-9-503 is amended to read:
             934           20A-9-503. Certificate of nomination -- Filing -- Fees.
             935          (1) After the certificate of nomination has been certified, executed, and acknowledged
             936      by the county clerk, the candidate shall:
             937          (a) between the second Friday in March and the close of normal office hours on the
             938      third [Friday] Thursday in March of the year in which the regular general election will be held,
             939      file the petition in person with:
             940          (i) the lieutenant governor, if the office the candidate seeks is a constitutional office or
             941      a federal office; or
             942          (ii) the county clerk, if the office the candidate seeks is a county office; and
             943          (iii) pay the filing fee; or
             944          (b) not later than the close of normal office hours on [July] June 15 of any
             945      odd-numbered year, file the petition in person with:
             946          (i) the municipal clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a city or town;
             947          (ii) the local district clerk, if the candidate seeks an office in a local district; and
             948          (iii) pay the filing fee.
             949          (2) (a) At the time of filing, and before accepting the petition, the filing officer shall
             950      read the constitutional and statutory requirements for candidacy to the candidate.
             951          (b) If the candidate states that he does not meet the requirements, the filing officer may
             952      not accept the petition.
             953          (3) (a) Persons filing a certificate of nomination for President of the United States
             954      under this section shall pay a filing fee of $500.
             955          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a person filing a certificate of nomination for


             956      President or Vice President of the United States:
             957          (i) may file the certificate of nomination between the second Friday in March and the
             958      close of normal office hours on August 15 of the year in which the regular general election will
             959      be held; and
             960          (ii) may use a designated agent to file the certificate of nomination.
             961          Section 17. Section 20A-9-701 is amended to read:
             962           20A-9-701. Certification of party candidates to county clerks -- Display on ballot.
             963          (1) No later than [September 8] August 31 of each regular general election year, the
             964      lieutenant governor shall certify to each county clerk the names of each candidate, including
             965      candidates for president and vice president, certified by each registered political party as that
             966      party's nominees for offices to be voted upon at the regular general election in that county
             967      clerk's county.
             968          (2) The names shall be certified by the lieutenant governor and shall be displayed on
             969      the ballot as they are provided on the candidate's declaration of candidacy.
             970          Section 18. Section 20A-12-201 is amended to read:
             971           20A-12-201. Judicial appointees -- Retention elections.
             972          (1) (a) Each judicial appointee to a court is subject to an unopposed retention election
             973      at the first general election held more than three years after the judge or justice was appointed.
             974          (b) After the first retention election:
             975          (i) each Supreme Court justice shall be on the regular general election ballot for an
             976      unopposed retention election every tenth year; and
             977          (ii) each judge of other courts shall be on the regular general election ballot for an
             978      unopposed retention election every sixth year.
             979          (2) (a) Each justice or judge of a court of record who wishes to retain office shall, in
             980      the year the justice or judge is subject to a retention election:
             981          (i) file a declaration of candidacy as if a candidate for multi-county office in
             982      accordance with Section 20A-9-202 ; and
             983          (ii) pay a filing fee of $50.
             984          (b) Each justice court judge who wishes to retain office shall, in the year the justice
             985      court judge is subject to a retention election:
             986          (i) file a declaration of candidacy as if a candidate for county office in accordance with


             987      Section 20A-9-202 ; and
             988          (ii) pay a filing fee of $25.
             989          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall, no later than [September 8] August 31 of each
             990      regular general election year:
             991          (i) transmit a certified list containing the names of the justices of the Supreme Court
             992      and judges of the Court of Appeals declaring their candidacy to the county clerk of each
             993      county; and
             994          (ii) transmit a certified list containing the names of judges of other courts declaring
             995      their candidacy to the county clerk of each county in the geographic division in which the judge
             996      filing the declaration holds office.
             997          (b) Each county clerk shall place the names of justices and judges standing for
             998      retention election in the nonpartisan section of the ballot.
             999          (4) At the general election, the ballots shall contain, as to each justice or judge of any
             1000      court to be voted on in the county, the following question:
             1001          "Shall ______________________________(name of justice or judge) be retained in the
             1002      office of ___________________________?" (name of office, such as "Justice of the Supreme
             1003      Court of Utah"; "Judge of the Court of Appeals of Utah"; "Judge of the District Court of the
             1004      Third Judicial District;" "Judge of the Juvenile Court of the Fourth Juvenile Court District"; "
             1005      Justice Court Judge of (name of county) County or (name of municipality)")
             1006          Yes ()
             1007          No ()."
             1008          (5) (a) If the justice or judge receives more yes votes than no votes, the justice or judge
             1009      is retained for the term of office provided by law.
             1010          (b) If the justice or judge does not receive more yes votes than no votes, the justice or
             1011      judge is not retained, and a vacancy exists in the office on the first Monday in January after the
             1012      regular general election.
             1013          (6) A justice or judge not retained is ineligible for appointment to the office for which
             1014      the justice or judge was defeated until after the expiration of that term of office.
             1015          Section 19. Section 20A-14-105 is amended to read:
             1016           20A-14-105. Becoming a candidate for membership on the State Board of
             1017      Education -- Selection of candidates by the governor -- Ballot placement.


             1018          (1) By August 1 of each regular general election year, the governor shall:
             1019          (a) for each state board district subject to election in that year, select two candidates for
             1020      the State Board of Education from the lists submitted by the state board district nominating and
             1021      recruiting committee; and
             1022          (b) certify the names of the two candidates from each school board district to the
             1023      lieutenant governor.
             1024          (2) If the governor fails to select two candidates for a state board district by
             1025      [September] August 1, the nominating and recruiting committee shall:
             1026          (a) select the two candidates; and
             1027          (b) notify the lieutenant governor of its selections by [September 15] August 31.
             1028          (3) The lieutenant governor shall:
             1029          (a) conduct a lottery to determine the order of the candidates' names on the ballot; and
             1030          (b) certify the names and order of the names to the county clerks for placement on the
             1031      nonpartisan section of the ballot.
             1032          Section 20. Section 20A-16-101 is enacted to read:
             1033     
CHAPTER 16. UNIFORM MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS ACT

             1034     
Part 1. General Provisions

             1035          20A-16-101. Title.
             1036          This chapter is known as, "Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act."
             1037          Section 21. Section 20A-16-102 is enacted to read:
             1038          20A-16-102. Definitions.
             1039          As used in this chapter:
             1040          (1) "Covered voter" means:
             1041          (a) a uniformed-service voter or an overseas voter who is registered to vote in the state;
             1042      or
             1043          (b) a uniformed-service voter whose voting residence is in the state and who otherwise
             1044      satisfies the state's voter eligibility requirements.
             1045          (2) "Dependent" means an individual recognized as a dependent by a uniformed
             1046      service.
             1047          (3) "Federal postcard application" means the application prescribed under the
             1048      Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, Sec. 101(b)(2), 42 U.S.C. Sec.


             1049      1973ff(b)(2).
             1050          (4) "Federal write-in absentee ballot" means the ballot described in the Uniformed and
             1051      Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, Sec. 103, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973ff-2.
             1052          (5) "Military-overseas ballot" means:
             1053          (a) a federal write-in absentee ballot;
             1054          (b) a ballot specifically prepared or distributed for use by a covered voter in accordance
             1055      with this chapter; or
             1056          (c) a ballot cast by a covered voter in accordance with this chapter.
             1057          (6) "Overseas voter" means a United States citizen who is outside the United States.
             1058          (7) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
             1059      the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction
             1060      of the United States.
             1061          (8) "Uniformed service" means:
             1062          (a) active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or
             1063      Coast Guard of the United States;
             1064          (b) the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the
             1065      commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United
             1066      States; or
             1067          (c) the National Guard.
             1068          (9) "Uniformed-service voter" means an individual who is qualified to vote and is:
             1069          (a) a member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force,
             1070      Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;
             1071          (b) a member of the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health
             1072      Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
             1073      of the United States;
             1074          (c) a member on activated status of the National Guard; or
             1075          (d) a spouse or dependent of a member referred to in Subsections (9)(a) through (c).
             1076          (10) "United States" means the several states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
             1077      the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory or insular possession subject to the
             1078      jurisdiction of the United States.
             1079          Section 22. Section 20A-16-103 is enacted to read:


             1080          20A-16-103. Application to elections.
             1081          The voting procedures in this chapter apply to an election authorized by this title.
             1082          Section 23. Section 20A-16-201 is enacted to read:
             1083     
Part 2. Administration of Military and Overseas Voting

             1084          20A-16-201. Duties of lieutenant governor.
             1085          The lieutenant governor shall:
             1086          (1) implement this chapter and the state's responsibilities under the Uniformed and
             1087      Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973ff et seq.;
             1088          (2) make available to covered voters information regarding voter registration
             1089      procedures for covered voters and procedures for casting military-overseas ballots;
             1090          (3) establish an electronic transmission system through which a covered voter may
             1091      apply for and receive voter registration materials, military-overseas ballots, and other
             1092      information under this chapter;
             1093          (4) (a) develop standardized absentee-voting materials, including privacy and
             1094      transmission envelopes and electronic equivalents of the envelopes, authentication materials,
             1095      and voting instructions, to be used with the military-overseas ballot of a voter authorized to
             1096      vote in any jurisdiction in the state; and
             1097          (b) to the extent reasonably possible, coordinate with other states on the development
             1098      required by Subsection (4)(a); and
             1099          (5) prescribe the form and content of a declaration:
             1100          (a) for use by a covered voter to swear or affirm specific representations pertaining to
             1101      the voter's identity, eligibility to vote, status as a covered voter, and timely and proper
             1102      completion of an overseas-military ballot;
             1103          (b) that is based on the declaration prescribed to accompany a federal write-in absentee
             1104      ballot, as modified to be consistent with this chapter; and
             1105          (c) that is a prominent part of all balloting materials for which the declaration is
             1106      required, including an indication of the date of execution of the declaration.
             1107          Section 24. Section 20A-16-202 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-3-413 is
             1108      renumbered and amended to read:
             1109           [20A-3-413].     20A-16-202. Report on absentee ballots.
             1110          (1) Not later than 60 days after each regular general election, each county clerk shall


             1111      submit a report to the lieutenant governor indicating:
             1112          (a) the number of ballots sent to [military and overseas citizen] covered voters; and
             1113          (b) the number of ballots returned by [military and overseas citizen] covered voters that
             1114      were counted.
             1115          (2) Not later than 90 days after each regular general election, the lieutenant governor
             1116      shall submit a statewide report to the Election Assistance Commission that includes the
             1117      information required by Subsection (1).
             1118          Section 25. Section 20A-16-301 is enacted to read:
             1119     
Part 3. Voter Registration

             1120          20A-16-301. Overseas voter's registration address.
             1121          In registering to vote, an overseas voter who is eligible to vote in the state shall:
             1122          (1) use and be assigned to the voting precinct of the address of the last place of
             1123      residence of the voter in the state; or
             1124          (2) if the address described in Subsection (1) is no longer a recognized residential
             1125      address, be assigned an address for voting purposes.
             1126          Section 26. Section 20A-16-302 is enacted to read:
             1127          20A-16-302. Methods of registering to vote.
             1128          (1) To apply to register to vote, in addition to any other approved method, a covered
             1129      voter may use a federal postcard application or the application's electronic equivalent.
             1130          (2) (a) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in
             1131      absentee ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal
             1132      write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by the Friday immediately before the
             1133      election.
             1134          (b) If the declaration is received after the Friday immediately before the election, the
             1135      declaration shall be treated as an application to register to vote for subsequent elections.
             1136          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that the electronic transmission system
             1137      described in Subsection 20A-16-201 (3) is capable of accepting both a federal postcard
             1138      application and any other approved electronic registration application sent to the appropriate
             1139      election official.
             1140          (b) The voter may use the electronic transmission system or any other approved
             1141      method to register to vote.


             1142          Section 27. Section 20A-16-401 is enacted to read:
             1143     
Part 4. Voting and Ballots

             1144          20A-16-401. Methods of applying for military-overseas ballots.
             1145          (1) A covered voter who is registered to vote in the state may apply for a
             1146      military-overseas ballot using:
             1147          (a) an absentee ballot application under Section 20A-3-304 ; or
             1148          (b) (i) the federal postcard application; or
             1149          (ii) the federal postcard application's electronic equivalent.
             1150          (2) A covered voter who is not registered to vote in this state may use a federal
             1151      postcard application or the federal postcard application's electronic equivalent to apply
             1152      simultaneously to register to vote under Section 20A-16-302 and for a military-overseas ballot.
             1153          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that the electronic transmission system
             1154      described in Subsection 20A-16-201 (3) is capable of accepting the submission of both a federal
             1155      postcard application and any other approved electronic military-overseas ballot application sent
             1156      to the appropriate election official.
             1157          (b) The voter may use the electronic transmission system or any other approved
             1158      method to apply for a military-overseas ballot.
             1159          (4) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee
             1160      ballot as an application for a military-overseas ballot simultaneously with the submission of the
             1161      federal write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by the appropriate election official
             1162      by the Friday immediately before the election.
             1163          (5) To receive the benefits of this chapter, a covered voter shall inform the appropriate
             1164      election official that the voter is a covered voter by:
             1165          (a) the use of a federal postcard application or federal write-in absentee ballot;
             1166          (b) the use of an overseas address on an approved voter registration application or
             1167      ballot application; or
             1168          (c) the inclusion on an approved voter registration application or ballot application of
             1169      other information sufficient to identify the voter as a covered voter.
             1170          (6) This chapter does not preclude a covered voter from voting under Chapter 3, Part 3,
             1171      Absentee Voting.
             1172          Section 28. Section 20A-16-402 is enacted to read:


             1173          20A-16-402. Timeliness and scope of application for military-overseas ballot.
             1174          (1) An application for a military-overseas ballot is timely if received by the Friday
             1175      immediately before the election.
             1176          (2) An application for a military-overseas ballot for a regular primary election or
             1177      municipal primary election, whether or not timely, is effective as an application for a
             1178      military-overseas ballot for the regular general election or municipal general election.
             1179          Section 29. Section 20A-16-403 is enacted to read:
             1180          20A-16-403. Transmission of unvoted ballots.
             1181          (1) For an election for which the state has not received a waiver pursuant to the
             1182      Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, Sec. 579, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1(g)(2), not later
             1183      than 45 days before the election or, notwithstanding Section 20A-1-401 , if the 45th day before
             1184      the election is a weekend or holiday, not later than the business day preceding the 45th day, the
             1185      election official in each jurisdiction charged with distributing a ballot and balloting materials
             1186      shall transmit a ballot and balloting materials to all covered voters who by that date submit a
             1187      valid military-overseas ballot application.
             1188          (2) (a) A covered voter who requests that a ballot and balloting materials be sent to the
             1189      voter by electronic transmission may choose:
             1190          (i) facsimile transmission;
             1191          (ii) email delivery; or
             1192          (iii) if offered by the voter's jurisdiction, Internet delivery.
             1193          (b) The election official in each jurisdiction charged with distributing a ballot and
             1194      balloting materials shall transmit the ballot and balloting materials to the voter using the means
             1195      of transmission chosen by the voter.
             1196          (3) If a ballot application from a covered voter arrives after the jurisdiction begins
             1197      transmitting ballots and balloting materials to voters, the official charged with distributing a
             1198      ballot and balloting materials shall transmit them to the voter not later than two business days
             1199      after the application arrives.
             1200          Section 30. Section 20A-16-404 is enacted to read:
             1201          20A-16-404. Timely casting of ballot.
             1202          To be valid, a military-overseas ballot shall be:
             1203          (1) received by the appropriate election officer not later than the close of the polls; or


             1204          (2) submitted for mailing, electronic transmission, or other authorized means of
             1205      delivery not later than 12:01 a.m., at the place where the voter completes the ballot, on the date
             1206      of the election.
             1207          Section 31. Section 20A-16-405 is enacted to read:
             1208          20A-16-405. Federal write-in absentee ballot.
             1209          A covered voter may use a federal write-in absentee ballot to vote for all offices and
             1210      ballot propositions in an election.
             1211          Section 32. Section 20A-16-406 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-3-409 is
             1212      renumbered and amended to read:
             1213           [20A-3-409].     20A-16-406. Disposition of ballot by county clerk.
             1214          (1) Upon receipt by the county clerk of the envelope containing [the] a
             1215      military-overseas ballot, the county clerk shall:
             1216          (a) enclose the unopened envelope containing the ballot and the written application of
             1217      the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter in a larger envelope;
             1218          (b) securely seal and endorse it with:
             1219          (i) the name or number of the proper voting precinct;
             1220          (ii) the name and official title of the clerk;
             1221          (iii) the words: "This envelope contains an absentee voter's official Utah election ballot
             1222      to be voted at ____ (Insert Name and Number) precinct, in ____ (Insert Name) county, and
             1223      may be opened on election day at the polls while the polls are open."; and
             1224          (c) safely keep the envelope in [his] the county clerk's office until [it] the envelope is
             1225      delivered by [him] the county clerk to the proper election judges.
             1226          (2) (a) When reasonably possible, the county clerk shall deliver or mail all [military or
             1227      overseas citizen] military-overseas voter ballot envelopes to the appropriate voting precinct
             1228      election judges so that [they] the ballots may be processed on election day.
             1229          (b) If the clerk is unable to determine the voting precinct to which the ballot should be
             1230      sent or when valid ballots are received too late to deliver to the election judges on election day,
             1231      the clerk shall keep them in a safe place until delivery can be made as required by Section
             1232      20A-3-309 .
             1233          Section 33. Section 20A-16-407 , which is renumbered from Section 20A-3-410 is
             1234      renumbered and amended to read:


             1235           [20A-3-410].     20A-16-407. Duty of election judges.
             1236          (1) (a) Voting precinct election judges shall open envelopes containing [military or
             1237      overseas citizen voter] military-overseas ballots that are in [their] the judges' custody on
             1238      election day at the polling places during the time the polls are open as provided in this
             1239      subsection.
             1240          (b) The election judges shall:
             1241          (i) first, open the outer envelope only; and
             1242          (ii) [unless the ballot is a disabled military or overseas citizen voter's ballot,] compare
             1243      the signature of the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter on the application with the
             1244      signature on the registration and voting certificate.
             1245          (2) (a) The judges shall register the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter to vote
             1246      if the voter is not already registered if the judges find that:
             1247          (i) the registration and voting certificate appears to be executed in proper form and
             1248      contains information qualifying the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter to be registered
             1249      as a voter; and
             1250          (ii) the signatures on the certificate and the application correspond, where a
             1251      comparison is required.
             1252          (b) If the election judges determine that the registration and voting certificate is
             1253      insufficient or that the signatures do not correspond, they shall:
             1254          (i) disallow the registration; and
             1255          (ii) without opening the ballot envelope, mark across the face of the envelope
             1256      "Rejected as defective because of __________ ." with the reason for the rejection placed in the
             1257      blank.
             1258          (c) When a [military or overseas citizen] covered voter's name is entered upon the
             1259      registration books, the voter is considered to be registered and the registration and voting
             1260      certificate, signed and sworn to by the [military or overseas citizen] covered voter on the back
             1261      of the ballot envelope, together with [his] the covered voter's name upon the registration books,
             1262      constitute [his] the covered voter's registration record.
             1263          (d) Nothing in this title may abridge the right of the [military or overseas citizen]
             1264      covered voter to be registered as provided in this section.
             1265          (3) (a) After registering the voter, the judges shall carefully open the ballot envelope so


             1266      as not to destroy the information printed on it if they find that:
             1267          (i) the registration and voting certificate is sufficient; and
             1268          (ii) the signatures on the certificate and the application correspond, where a
             1269      comparison is required.
             1270          (b) The election judges shall:
             1271          (i) remove the ballot from the envelope without unfolding it or permitting it to be
             1272      opened or examined;
             1273          (ii) initial the stub in the same manner as for other ballots;
             1274          (iii) deposit the ballot in the proper ballot box; and
             1275          (iv) mark the official register and pollbook to show that the voter has voted.
             1276          (c) If the election judges determine that the registration and voting certificate is
             1277      insufficient or that the signatures do not correspond, they shall:
             1278          (i) disallow the vote; and
             1279          (ii) without opening the ballot envelope, mark across the face of the envelope
             1280      "Rejected as defective because of __________ ." with the reason for the rejection placed in the
             1281      blank.
             1282          (4) The election judges shall deposit the envelope, when the ballot is voted, and the
             1283      envelope with its contents unopened, when the absent vote is rejected, in the ballot box
             1284      containing the ballots.
             1285          (5) The county clerk shall retain and preserve the envelopes in the manner provided by
             1286      law for the retention and preservation of official ballots voted at that election.
             1287          Section 34. Section 20A-16-408 is enacted to read:
             1288          20A-16-408. Receipt of voted ballot.
             1289          (1) A valid military-overseas ballot cast in accordance with Section 20A-16-404 shall
             1290      be counted if the military-overseas ballot is delivered by the end of business on the business
             1291      day before the latest deadline for completing the canvass to the address that the appropriate
             1292      state or local election office has specified.
             1293          (2) If, at the time of completing a military-overseas ballot and balloting materials, the
             1294      voter has declared under penalty of perjury as provided in Title 76, Chapter 8, Part 5,
             1295      Falsification in Official Matters, that the ballot was timely submitted, the ballot may not be
             1296      rejected on the basis that it has a late postmark, an unreadable postmark, or no postmark.


             1297          Section 35. Section 20A-16-409 is enacted to read:
             1298          20A-16-409. Declaration.
             1299          A military-overseas ballot shall include or be accompanied by:
             1300          (1) a declaration signed by a covered voter that a material misstatement of fact in
             1301      completing the ballot may be grounds for a conviction of perjury under the laws of the United
             1302      States or Title 76, Chapter 8, Part 5, Falsification in Official Matters; and
             1303          (2) the following statement if the military-overseas ballot is electronically transmitted:
             1304      "I understand that by electronically transmitting my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my
             1305      right to a secret ballot. Signature of voter ________________ Date _______".
             1306          Section 36. Section 20A-16-410 is enacted to read:
             1307          20A-16-410. Confirmation of receipt of application and voted ballot.
             1308          The lieutenant governor, in coordination with an election officer, shall implement an
             1309      electronic free-access system by which a covered voter may determine by telephone, electronic
             1310      mail, or Internet:
             1311          (1) whether the voter's federal postcard application or other registration or
             1312      military-overseas ballot application has been received and accepted;
             1313          (2) whether the voter's military-overseas ballot has been received; and
             1314          (3) the current status of the ballot.
             1315          Section 37. Section 20A-16-501 is enacted to read:
             1316     
Part 5. Miscellaneous

             1317          20A-16-501. Use of voter's email address.
             1318          (1) An election officer shall request an email address from each covered voter who
             1319      registers to vote after January 1, 2012.
             1320          (2) An email address provided by a covered voter:
             1321          (a) is a private record under Section 63G-2-302 ; and
             1322          (b) may be used only for official communication with the covered voter about the
             1323      voting process, including transmitting military-overseas ballots and election materials if the
             1324      voter has requested electronic transmission, and verifying the voter's mailing address and
             1325      physical location.
             1326          (3) The request for an email address shall:
             1327          (a) describe the purposes for which the email address may be used; and


             1328          (b) include a statement that any other use or disclosure of the email address is
             1329      prohibited.
             1330          (4) (a) A covered voter who provides an email address may request that the covered
             1331      voter's application for a military-overseas ballot be considered a standing request for electronic
             1332      delivery of a ballot for all elections held through December 31 of the year following the
             1333      calendar year of the date of the application or another shorter period the covered voter
             1334      specifies.
             1335          (b) An election official shall provide a military-overseas ballot to a covered voter who
             1336      makes a standing request for each election to which the request is applicable.
             1337          (c) A covered voter who is entitled to receive a military-overseas ballot for a primary
             1338      election under this Subsection (4) is entitled to receive a military-overseas ballot for the general
             1339      election.
             1340          Section 38. Section 20A-16-502 is enacted to read:
             1341          20A-16-502. Publication of election notice.
             1342          (1) At least 100 days before an election, other than a statewide special election or local
             1343      special election, and as soon as practicable before a statewide special election or local special
             1344      election, the election officer shall prepare an election notice for the election officer's
             1345      jurisdiction, to be used in conjunction with a federal write-in absentee ballot.
             1346          (2) The election notice must contain:
             1347          (a) a list of all of the ballot propositions and federal, state, and local offices that as of
             1348      that date the election officer expects to be on the ballot on the date of the election; and
             1349          (b) specific instructions for how a covered voter is to indicate on the federal write-in
             1350      absentee ballot the covered voter's choice for each office to be filled and for each ballot
             1351      proposition to be contested.
             1352          (3) (a) A covered voter may request a copy of an election notice.
             1353          (b) The election officer shall send the notice to the covered voter by facsimile, email,
             1354      or regular mail, as the covered voter requests.
             1355          (4) As soon as the ballot is certified, and not later than the date ballots are required to
             1356      be transmitted to voters under Chapter 3, Part 3, Absentee Voting, the official charged with
             1357      preparing the election notice under Subsection (1) shall update the notice with the certified
             1358      candidates for each office and ballot propositions questions and make the updated notice


             1359      publicly available.
             1360          (5) A political subdivision that maintains a website shall make the election notice
             1361      prepared under this section and updated versions of the election notice regularly available on
             1362      the website.
             1363          Section 39. Section 20A-16-503 is enacted to read:
             1364          20A-16-503. Prohibition of nonsubstantive requirements.
             1365          (1) (a) If a covered voter's mistake or omission in the completion of a document under
             1366      this chapter does not prevent determining whether a covered voter is eligible to vote, the
             1367      mistake or omission does not invalidate the document.
             1368          (b) Failure to satisfy a nonsubstantive requirement, such as using paper or envelopes of
             1369      a specified size or weight, does not invalidate a document submitted under this chapter.
             1370          (c) In a write-in ballot authorized by this chapter or in a vote for a write-in candidate on
             1371      a regular ballot, if the intention of the covered voter is discernable under this state's uniform
             1372      definition of what constitutes a vote, an abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in
             1373      the form of the name of a candidate or a political party is a valid vote.
             1374          (2) (a) Notarization is not required for the execution of a document under this chapter.
             1375          (b) (i) An authentication, other than the declaration specified in Section 20A-16-409 or
             1376      the declaration on the federal postcard application and federal write-in absentee ballot, is not
             1377      required for execution of a document under this chapter.
             1378          (ii) The declaration and any information in the declaration may be compared with
             1379      information on file to ascertain the validity of the document.
             1380          Section 40. Section 20A-16-504 is enacted to read:
             1381          20A-16-504. Equitable relief.
             1382          A court may issue an injunction or grant other equitable relief appropriate to ensure
             1383      substantial compliance with, or enforce, this chapter on application by:
             1384          (1) a covered voter alleging a grievance under this chapter; or
             1385          (2) an election officer.
             1386          Section 41. Section 20A-16-505 is enacted to read:
             1387          20A-16-505. Uniformity of application and construction.
             1388          In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration shall be given to the need to
             1389      promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.


             1390          Section 42. Section 20A-16-506 is enacted to read:
             1391          20A-16-506. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce
             1392      Act.
             1393          This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and
             1394      National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede
             1395      Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the
             1396      notices described in Section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7003(b).
             1397          Section 43. Section 63G-2-302 is amended to read:
             1398           63G-2-302. Private records.
             1399          (1) The following records are private:
             1400          (a) records concerning an individual's eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits,
             1401      social services, welfare benefits, or the determination of benefit levels;
             1402          (b) records containing data on individuals describing medical history, diagnosis,
             1403      condition, treatment, evaluation, or similar medical data;
             1404          (c) records of publicly funded libraries that when examined alone or with other records
             1405      identify a patron;
             1406          (d) records received by or generated by or for:
             1407          (i) the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission, except for:
             1408          (A) the commission's summary data report that is required under legislative rule; and
             1409          (B) any other document that is classified as public under legislative rule; or
             1410          (ii) a Senate or House Ethics Committee in relation to the review of ethics complaints,
             1411      unless the record is classified as public under legislative rule;
             1412          (e) records received or generated for a Senate confirmation committee concerning
             1413      character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual:
             1414          (i) if prior to the meeting, the chair of the committee determines release of the records:
             1415          (A) reasonably could be expected to interfere with the investigation undertaken by the
             1416      committee; or
             1417          (B) would create a danger of depriving a person of a right to a fair proceeding or
             1418      impartial hearing; and
             1419          (ii) after the meeting, if the meeting was closed to the public;
             1420          (f) employment records concerning a current or former employee of, or applicant for


             1421      employment with, a governmental entity that would disclose that individual's home address,
             1422      home telephone number, Social Security number, insurance coverage, marital status, or payroll
             1423      deductions;
             1424          (g) records or parts of records under Section 63G-2-303 that a current or former
             1425      employee identifies as private according to the requirements of that section;
             1426          (h) that part of a record indicating a person's Social Security number or federal
             1427      employer identification number if provided under Section 31A-23a-104 , 31A-25-202 ,
             1428      31A-26-202 , 58-1-301 , 61-1-4 , or 61-2f-203 ;
             1429          (i) that part of a voter registration record identifying a voter's driver license or
             1430      identification card number, Social Security number, or last four digits of the Social Security
             1431      number;
             1432          (j) a record that:
             1433          (i) contains information about an individual;
             1434          (ii) is voluntarily provided by the individual; and
             1435          (iii) goes into an electronic database that:
             1436          (A) is designated by and administered under the authority of the Chief Information
             1437      Officer; and
             1438          (B) acts as a repository of information about the individual that can be electronically
             1439      retrieved and used to facilitate the individual's online interaction with a state agency;
             1440          (k) information provided to the Commissioner of Insurance under:
             1441          (i) Subsection 31A-23a-115 (2)(a);
             1442          (ii) Subsection 31A-23a-302 (3); or
             1443          (iii) Subsection 31A-26-210 (3);
             1444          (l) information obtained through a criminal background check under Title 11, Chapter
             1445      40, Criminal Background Checks by Political Subdivisions Operating Water Systems;
             1446          (m) information provided by an offender that is:
             1447          (i) required by the registration requirements of Section 77-27-21.5 ; and
             1448          (ii) not required to be made available to the public under Subsection 77-27-21.5 (27);
             1449      [and]
             1450          (n) a statement and any supporting documentation filed with the attorney general in
             1451      accordance with Section 34-45-107 , if the federal law or action supporting the filing involves


             1452      homeland security[.];
             1453          (o) an email address provided by a military or overseas voter under Section
             1454      20A-16-501 ; and
             1455          (p) a completed military-overseas ballot that is electronically transmitted under Title
             1456      20A, Chapter 16, Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act.
             1457          (2) The following records are private if properly classified by a governmental entity:
             1458          (a) records concerning a current or former employee of, or applicant for employment
             1459      with a governmental entity, including performance evaluations and personal status information
             1460      such as race, religion, or disabilities, but not including records that are public under Subsection
             1461      63G-2-301 (2)(b) or 63G-2-301 (3)(o), or private under Subsection (1)(b);
             1462          (b) records describing an individual's finances, except that the following are public:
             1463          (i) records described in Subsection 63G-2-301 (2);
             1464          (ii) information provided to the governmental entity for the purpose of complying with
             1465      a financial assurance requirement; or
             1466          (iii) records that must be disclosed in accordance with another statute;
             1467          (c) records of independent state agencies if the disclosure of those records would
             1468      conflict with the fiduciary obligations of the agency;
             1469          (d) other records containing data on individuals the disclosure of which constitutes a
             1470      clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
             1471          (e) records provided by the United States or by a government entity outside the state
             1472      that are given with the requirement that the records be managed as private records, if the
             1473      providing entity states in writing that the record would not be subject to public disclosure if
             1474      retained by it; and
             1475          (f) any portion of a record in the custody of the Division of Aging and Adult Services,
             1476      created in Section 62A-3-102 , that may disclose, or lead to the discovery of, the identity of a
             1477      person who made a report of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
             1478          (3) (a) As used in this Subsection (3), "medical records" means medical reports,
             1479      records, statements, history, diagnosis, condition, treatment, and evaluation.
             1480          (b) Medical records in the possession of the University of Utah Hospital, its clinics,
             1481      doctors, or affiliated entities are not private records or controlled records under Section
             1482      63G-2-304 when the records are sought:


             1483          (i) in connection with any legal or administrative proceeding in which the patient's
             1484      physical, mental, or emotional condition is an element of any claim or defense; or
             1485          (ii) after a patient's death, in any legal or administrative proceeding in which any party
             1486      relies upon the condition as an element of the claim or defense.
             1487          (c) Medical records are subject to production in a legal or administrative proceeding
             1488      according to state or federal statutes or rules of procedure and evidence as if the medical
             1489      records were in the possession of a nongovernmental medical care provider.
             1490          Section 44. Repealer.
             1491          This bill repeals:
             1492          Section 20A-3-401, Intent and purpose of part.
             1493          Section 20A-3-402, Scope of part.
             1494          Section 20A-3-403, Definitions.
             1495          Section 20A-3-404, Special military write-in absentee ballots.
             1496          Section 20A-3-404.5, Special overseas citizen voter absentee ballot.
             1497          Section 20A-3-405, Registration of military voters and overseas citizen voters.
             1498          Section 20A-3-406, Absentee ballots for military personnel and citizens living
             1499      overseas -- Federal postcard applications for ballot.
             1500          Section 20A-3-407, Mailing of ballot to military voter.
             1501          Section 20A-3-408, Voting of ballot by military or overseas citizen voter.
             1502          Section 20A-3-408.5, Electronic registration and voting by military and overseas
             1503      citizen voters in a hostile fire zone -- Procedures for accepting and processing a federal
             1504      postcard application form -- Returned ballot.
             1505          Section 20A-3-411, Challenge of ballot.
             1506          Section 20A-3-412, State and county officials to provide supplies -- Violation a
             1507      misdemeanor.
             1508          Section 45. Effective date.
             1509          This bill takes effect on January 1, 2012.
             1510          Section 46. Coordinating S.B. 162 with H.B. 33 -- Substantive amendments.
             1511          If this S.B 162 and H.B. 33, Election Law Revisions, both pass, it is the intent of the
             1512      Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall prepare the Utah
             1513      Code database for publication by amending Subsection 20A-14-105 (2)(b) to read:


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


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