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H.B. 53 Enrolled

             1     

ELECTION LAW AMENDMENTS

             2     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Kraig Powell

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends Title 20A, Election Code.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    updates cross-references;
             13          .    makes conforming amendments for the date of the Western Presidential Primary;
             14          .    modifies provisions that apply when the signature on an absentee ballot does not
             15      match the voter's signature on record;
             16          .    provides that a municipality or county that administers an election entirely by
             17      absentee ballot is not required to conduct early voting for the election;
             18          .    addresses the submittal of an absentee ballot;
             19          .    repeals references to the county in a municipal ballot;
             20          .    makes conforming amendments regarding the voter information pamphlet; and
             21          .    makes technical and conforming changes.
             22      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:
             28          20A-1-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapters 72, 251, 309, 359 and last
             29      amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 309


             30          20A-1-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 359
             31          20A-1-201.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 327
             32          20A-3-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapters 40 and 309
             33          20A-3-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 309
             34          20A-3-605, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 97
             35          20A-6-401.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 68
             36          20A-7-702, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 334
             37          20A-11-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 340
             38          20A-11-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 246
             39     
             40      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             41          Section 1. Section 20A-1-102 is amended to read:
             42           20A-1-102. Definitions.
             43          As used in this title:
             44          (1) "Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive
             45      voter by the county clerk.
             46          (2) "Automatic tabulating equipment" means apparatus that automatically examines
             47      and counts votes recorded on paper ballots or ballot sheets and tabulates the results.
             48          (3) (a) "Ballot" means the storage medium, whether paper, mechanical, or electronic,
             49      upon which a voter records the voter's votes.
             50          (b) "Ballot" includes ballot sheets, paper ballots, electronic ballots, and secrecy
             51      envelopes.
             52          (4) "Ballot sheet":
             53          (a) means a ballot that:
             54          (i) consists of paper or a card where the voter's votes are marked or recorded; and
             55          (ii) can be counted using automatic tabulating equipment; and
             56          (b) includes punch card ballots and other ballots that are machine-countable.
             57          (5) "Ballot label" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages, or other materials that:


             58          (a) contain the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to
             59      be voted on; and
             60          (b) are used in conjunction with ballot sheets that do not display that information.
             61          (6) "Ballot proposition" means a question, issue, or proposal that is submitted to voters
             62      on the ballot for their approval or rejection including:
             63          (a) an opinion question specifically authorized by the Legislature;
             64          (b) a constitutional amendment;
             65          (c) an initiative;
             66          (d) a referendum;
             67          (e) a bond proposition;
             68          (f) a judicial retention question;
             69          (g) an incorporation of a city or town; or
             70          (h) any other ballot question specifically authorized by the Legislature.
             71          (7) "Bind", "binding", or "bound" means securing more than one piece of paper
             72      together with a staple or stitch in at least three places across the top of the paper in the blank
             73      space reserved for securing the paper.
             74          (8) "Board of canvassers" means the entities established by Sections 20A-4-301 and
             75      20A-4-306 to canvass election returns.
             76          (9) "Bond election" means an election held for the purpose of approving or rejecting
             77      the proposed issuance of bonds by a government entity.
             78          (10) "Book voter registration form" means voter registration forms contained in a
             79      bound book that are used by election officers and registration agents to register persons to vote.
             80          (11) "Business reply mail envelope" means an envelope that may be mailed free of
             81      charge by the sender.
             82          (12) "By-mail voter registration form" means a voter registration form designed to be
             83      completed by the voter and mailed to the election officer.
             84          (13) "Canvass" means the review of election returns and the official declaration of
             85      election results by the board of canvassers.


             86          (14) "Canvassing judge" means a poll worker designated to assist in counting ballots at
             87      the canvass.
             88          (15) "Contracting election officer" means an election officer who enters into a contract
             89      or interlocal agreement with a provider election officer.
             90          (16) "Convention" means the political party convention at which party officers and
             91      delegates are selected.
             92          (17) "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by the election officer in
             93      charge of the election for the automatic counting of ballots.
             94          (18) "Counting judge" means a poll worker designated to count the ballots during
             95      election day.
             96          (19) "Counting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in Section
             97      20A-3-201 to witness the counting of ballots.
             98          (20) "Counting room" means a suitable and convenient private place or room,
             99      immediately adjoining the place where the election is being held, for use by the poll workers
             100      and counting judges to count ballots during election day.
             101          (21) "County officers" means those county officers that are required by law to be
             102      elected.
             103          (22) "Date of the election" or "election day" or "day of the election":
             104          (a) means the day that is specified in the calendar year as the day that the election
             105      occurs; and
             106          (b) does not include:
             107          (i) deadlines established for absentee voting; or
             108          (ii) any early voting or early voting period as provided under Chapter 3, Part 6, Early
             109      Voting.
             110          (23) "Elected official" means:
             111          (a) a person elected to an office under Section 20A-1-303 ;
             112          (b) a person who is considered to be elected to a municipal office in accordance with
             113      Subsection 20A-1-206 (1)(c)(ii); or


             114          (c) a person who is considered to be elected to a local district office in accordance with
             115      Subsection 20A-1-206 (3)(c)(ii).
             116          (24) "Election" means a regular general election, a municipal general election, a
             117      statewide special election, a local special election, a regular primary election, a municipal
             118      primary election, and a local district election.
             119          (25) "Election Assistance Commission" means the commission established by Public
             120      Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
             121          (26) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day persons are eligible to
             122      file declarations of candidacy and ending when the canvass is completed.
             123          (27) "Election judge" means a poll worker that is assigned to:
             124          (a) preside over other poll workers at a polling place;
             125          (b) act as the presiding election judge; or
             126          (c) serve as a canvassing judge, counting judge, or receiving judge.
             127          (28) "Election officer" means:
             128          (a) the lieutenant governor, for all statewide ballots and elections;
             129          (b) the county clerk for:
             130          (i) a county ballot and election; and
             131          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             132      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ;
             133          (c) the municipal clerk for:
             134          (i) a municipal ballot and election; and
             135          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             136      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ;
             137          (d) the local district clerk or chief executive officer for:
             138          (i) a local district ballot and election; and
             139          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             140      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ; or
             141          (e) the business administrator or superintendent of a school district for:


             142          (i) a school district ballot and election; and
             143          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             144      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 .
             145          (29) "Election official" means any election officer, election judge, or poll worker.
             146          (30) "Election results" means:
             147          (a) for an election other than a bond election, the count of votes cast in the election and
             148      the election returns requested by the board of canvassers; or
             149          (b) for bond elections, the count of those votes cast for and against the bond
             150      proposition plus any or all of the election returns that the board of canvassers may request.
             151          (31) "Election returns" includes the pollbook, the military and overseas absentee voter
             152      registration and voting certificates, one of the tally sheets, any unprocessed absentee ballots, all
             153      counted ballots, all excess ballots, all unused ballots, all spoiled ballots, the ballot disposition
             154      form, and the total votes cast form.
             155          (32) "Electronic ballot" means a ballot that is recorded using a direct electronic voting
             156      device or other voting device that records and stores ballot information by electronic means.
             157          (33) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to
             158      or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign
             159      the record.
             160          (34) (a) "Electronic voting device" means a voting device that uses electronic ballots.
             161          (b) "Electronic voting device" includes a direct recording electronic voting device.
             162          (35) "Inactive voter" means a registered voter who has:
             163          (a) been sent the notice required by Section 20A-2-306 ; and
             164          (b) failed to respond to that notice.
             165          (36) "Inspecting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in this title to
             166      witness the receipt and safe deposit of voted and counted ballots.
             167          (37) "Judicial office" means the office filled by any judicial officer.
             168          (38) "Judicial officer" means any justice or judge of a court of record or any county
             169      court judge.


             170          (39) "Local district" means a local government entity under Title 17B, Limited Purpose
             171      Local Government Entities - Local Districts, and includes a special service district under Title
             172      17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.
             173          (40) "Local district officers" means those local district officers that are required by law
             174      to be elected.
             175          (41) "Local election" means a regular municipal election, a local special election, a
             176      local district election, and a bond election.
             177          (42) "Local political subdivision" means a county, a municipality, a local district, or a
             178      local school district.
             179          (43) "Local special election" means a special election called by the governing body of a
             180      local political subdivision in which all registered voters of the local political subdivision may
             181      vote.
             182          (44) "Municipal executive" means:
             183          (a) the mayor in the council-mayor form of government defined in Section 10-3b-102 ;
             184      or
             185          (b) the mayor in the council-manager form of government defined in Subsection
             186      10-3b-103 (6).
             187          (45) "Municipal general election" means the election held in municipalities and local
             188      districts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year
             189      for the purposes established in Section 20A-1-202 .
             190          (46) "Municipal legislative body" means the council of the city or town in any form of
             191      municipal government.
             192          (47) "Municipal office" means an elective office in a municipality.
             193          (48) "Municipal officers" means those municipal officers that are required by law to be
             194      elected.
             195          (49) "Municipal primary election" means an election held to nominate candidates for
             196      municipal office.
             197          (50) "Official ballot" means the ballots distributed by the election officer to the poll


             198      workers to be given to voters to record their votes.
             199          (51) "Official endorsement" means:
             200          (a) the information on the ballot that identifies:
             201          (i) the ballot as an official ballot;
             202          (ii) the date of the election; and
             203          (iii) the facsimile signature of the election officer; and
             204          (b) the information on the ballot stub that identifies:
             205          (i) the poll worker's initials; and
             206          (ii) the ballot number.
             207          (52) "Official register" means the official record furnished to election officials by the
             208      election officer that contains the information required by Section 20A-5-401 .
             209          (53) "Paper ballot" means a paper that contains:
             210          (a) the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to be
             211      voted on; and
             212          (b) spaces for the voter to record the voter's vote for each office and for or against each
             213      ballot proposition.
             214          (54) "Political party" means an organization of registered voters that has qualified to
             215      participate in an election by meeting the requirements of Chapter 8, Political Party Formation
             216      and Procedures.
             217          (55) (a) "Poll worker" means a person assigned by an election official to assist with an
             218      election, voting, or counting votes.
             219          (b) "Poll worker" includes election judges.
             220          (c) "Poll worker" does not include a watcher.
             221          (56) "Pollbook" means a record of the names of voters in the order that they appear to
             222      cast votes.
             223          (57) "Polling place" means the building where voting is conducted.
             224          (58) "Position" means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a ballot
             225      in which the voter marks the voter's choice.


             226          (59) "Provider election officer" means an election officer who enters into a contract or
             227      interlocal agreement with a contracting election officer to conduct an election for the
             228      contracting election officer's local political subdivision in accordance with Section
             229      20A-5-400.1 .
             230          (60) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot voted provisionally by a person:
             231          (a) whose name is not listed on the official register at the polling place;
             232          (b) whose legal right to vote is challenged as provided in this title; or
             233          (c) whose identity was not sufficiently established by a poll worker.
             234          (61) "Provisional ballot envelope" means an envelope printed in the form required by
             235      Section 20A-6-105 that is used to identify provisional ballots and to provide information to
             236      verify a person's legal right to vote.
             237          (62) "Primary convention" means the political party conventions at which nominees for
             238      the regular primary election are selected.
             239          (63) "Protective counter" means a separate counter, which cannot be reset, that:
             240          (a) is built into a voting machine; and
             241          (b) records the total number of movements of the operating lever.
             242          (64) "Qualify" or "qualified" means to take the oath of office and begin performing the
             243      duties of the position for which the person was elected.
             244          (65) "Receiving judge" means the poll worker that checks the voter's name in the
             245      official register, provides the voter with a ballot, and removes the ballot stub from the ballot
             246      after the voter has voted.
             247          (66) "Registration form" means a book voter registration form and a by-mail voter
             248      registration form.
             249          (67) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is not a provisional ballot.
             250          (68) "Regular general election" means the election held throughout the state on the first
             251      Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year for the purposes
             252      established in Section 20A-1-201 .
             253          (69) "Regular primary election" means the election on the fourth Tuesday of June of


             254      each even-numbered year, to nominate candidates of political parties and nonpolitical groups to
             255      advance to the regular general election.
             256          (70) "Resident" means a person who resides within a specific voting precinct in Utah.
             257          (71) "Sample ballot" means a mock ballot similar in form to the official ballot printed
             258      and distributed as provided in Section 20A-5-405 .
             259          (72) "Scratch vote" means to mark or punch the straight party ticket and then mark or
             260      punch the ballot for one or more candidates who are members of different political parties.
             261          (73) "Secrecy envelope" means the envelope given to a voter along with the ballot into
             262      which the voter places the ballot after the voter has voted it in order to preserve the secrecy of
             263      the voter's vote.
             264          (74) "Special election" means an election held as authorized by Section [ 20A-1-204 ]
             265      20A-1-203 .
             266          (75) "Spoiled ballot" means each ballot that:
             267          (a) is spoiled by the voter;
             268          (b) is unable to be voted because it was spoiled by the printer or a poll worker; or
             269          (c) lacks the official endorsement.
             270          (76) "Statewide special election" means a special election called by the governor or the
             271      Legislature in which all registered voters in Utah may vote.
             272          (77) "Stub" means the detachable part of each ballot.
             273          (78) "Substitute ballots" means replacement ballots provided by an election officer to
             274      the poll workers when the official ballots are lost or stolen.
             275          (79) "Ticket" means each list of candidates for each political party or for each group of
             276      petitioners.
             277          (80) "Transfer case" means the sealed box used to transport voted ballots to the
             278      counting center.
             279          (81) "Vacancy" means the absence of a person to serve in any position created by
             280      statute, whether that absence occurs because of death, disability, disqualification, resignation,
             281      or other cause.


             282          (82) "Valid voter identification" means:
             283          (a) a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may
             284      include:
             285          (i) a currently valid Utah driver license;
             286          (ii) a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
             287          (A) the state; or
             288          (B) a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
             289          (iii) a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
             290          (iv) a currently valid United States passport; or
             291          (v) a currently valid United States military identification card;
             292          (b) one of the following identification cards, whether or not the card includes a
             293      photograph of the voter:
             294          (i) a valid tribal identification card;
             295          (ii) a Bureau of Indian Affairs card; or
             296          (iii) a tribal treaty card; or
             297          (c) two forms of identification not listed under Subsection (82)(a) or (b) but that bear
             298      the name of the voter and provide evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct, which
             299      may include:
             300          (i) a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof, dated within the 90 days before the
             301      election;
             302          (ii) a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
             303          (iii) a certified birth certificate;
             304          (iv) a valid Social Security card;
             305          (v) a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
             306          (vi) a paycheck from the voter's employer, or a legible copy thereof;
             307          (vii) a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
             308          (viii) certified naturalization documentation;
             309          (ix) a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;


             310          (x) a certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change;
             311          (xi) a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card;
             312          (xii) a currently valid identification card issued by:
             313          (A) a local government within the state;
             314          (B) an employer for an employee; or
             315          (C) a college, university, technical school, or professional school located within the
             316      state; or
             317          (xiii) a current Utah vehicle registration.
             318          (83) "Valid write-in candidate" means a candidate who has qualified as a write-in
             319      candidate by following the procedures and requirements of this title.
             320          (84) "Voter" means a person who:
             321          (a) meets the requirements for voting in an election;
             322          (b) meets the requirements of election registration;
             323          (c) is registered to vote; and
             324          (d) is listed in the official register book.
             325          (85) "Voter registration deadline" means the registration deadline provided in Section
             326      20A-2-102.5 .
             327          (86) "Voting area" means the area within six feet of the voting booths, voting
             328      machines, and ballot box.
             329          (87) "Voting booth" means:
             330          (a) the space or compartment within a polling place that is provided for the preparation
             331      of ballots, including the voting machine enclosure or curtain; or
             332          (b) a voting device that is free standing.
             333          (88) "Voting device" means:
             334          (a) an apparatus in which ballot sheets are used in connection with a punch device for
             335      piercing the ballots by the voter;
             336          (b) a device for marking the ballots with ink or another substance;
             337          (c) an electronic voting device or other device used to make selections and cast a ballot


             338      electronically, or any component thereof;
             339          (d) an automated voting system under Section 20A-5-302 ; or
             340          (e) any other method for recording votes on ballots so that the ballot may be tabulated
             341      by means of automatic tabulating equipment.
             342          (89) "Voting machine" means a machine designed for the sole purpose of recording
             343      and tabulating votes cast by voters at an election.
             344          (90) "Voting poll watcher" means a person appointed as provided in this title to
             345      witness the distribution of ballots and the voting process.
             346          (91) "Voting precinct" means the smallest voting unit established as provided by law
             347      within which qualified voters vote at one polling place.
             348          (92) "Watcher" means a voting poll watcher, a counting poll watcher, an inspecting
             349      poll watcher, and a testing watcher.
             350          (93) "Western States Presidential Primary" means the election established in Chapter 9,
             351      Part 8, Western States Presidential Primary.
             352          (94) "Write-in ballot" means a ballot containing any write-in votes.
             353          (95) "Write-in vote" means a vote cast for a person whose name is not printed on the
             354      ballot according to the procedures established in this title.
             355          Section 2. Section 20A-1-201.5 is amended to read:
             356           20A-1-201.5. Primary election dates.
             357          (1) A regular primary election shall be held throughout the state on the fourth Tuesday
             358      of June of each even numbered year as provided in Section 20A-9-403 , to nominate persons for
             359      national, state, school board, and county offices.
             360          (2) A municipal primary election shall be held, if necessary, on the second Tuesday
             361      following the first Monday in August before the regular municipal election to nominate persons
             362      for municipal offices.
             363          (3) [The] If the Legislature makes an appropriation for a Western States Presidential
             364      Primary election, the Western States Presidential Primary election shall be held throughout the
             365      state on the first Tuesday in February in the year in which a presidential election will be held.


             366          Section 3. Section 20A-1-203 is amended to read:
             367           20A-1-203. Calling and purpose of special elections -- Two-thirds vote
             368      limitations.
             369          (1) Statewide and local special elections may be held for any purpose authorized by
             370      law.
             371          (2) (a) Statewide special elections shall be conducted using the procedure for regular
             372      general elections.
             373          (b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, local special elections shall be conducted
             374      using the procedures for regular municipal elections.
             375          (3) The governor may call a statewide special election by issuing an executive order
             376      that designates:
             377          (a) the date for the statewide special election; and
             378          (b) the purpose for the statewide special election.
             379          (4) The Legislature may call a statewide special election by passing a joint or
             380      concurrent resolution that designates:
             381          (a) the date for the statewide special election; and
             382          (b) the purpose for the statewide special election.
             383          (5) (a) The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special
             384      election only for:
             385          (i) a vote on a bond or debt issue;
             386          (ii) a vote on a voted local levy authorized by Section 53A-17a-133 ;
             387          (iii) an initiative authorized by Chapter 7, Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
             388          (iv) a referendum authorized by Chapter 7, Part 6, Local Referenda - Procedures;
             389          (v) if required or authorized by federal law, a vote to determine whether or not Utah's
             390      legal boundaries should be changed;
             391          (vi) a vote authorized or required by Title 59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act;
             392          (vii) a vote to elect members to school district boards for a new school district and a
             393      remaining school district, as defined in Section 53A-2-117 , following the creation of a new


             394      school district under Section 53A-2-118.1 ; [or]
             395          (viii) an election of town officers of a newly incorporated town under Section
             396      10-2-128 [.];
             397          (ix) an election of officers for a new city under Section 10-2-116 ;
             398          (x) a vote on a municipality providing cable television services or public
             399      telecommunications services under Section 10-18-204 ;
             400          (xi) a vote to create a new county under Section 17-3-1 ;
             401          (xii) a vote on the creation of a study committee under Sections 17-52-202 and
             402      17-52-203.5 ; or
             403          (xiii) a vote on a special property tax under Section 53A-16-110 .
             404          (b) The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special election
             405      by adopting an ordinance or resolution that designates:
             406          (i) the date for the local special election; and
             407          (ii) the purpose for the local special election.
             408          (c) A local political subdivision may not call a local special election unless the
             409      ordinance or resolution calling a local special election under Subsection (5)(b) is adopted by a
             410      two-thirds majority of all members of the legislative body, if the local special election is for:
             411          (i) a vote on a bond or debt issue as described in Subsection (5)(a)(i);
             412          (ii) a vote on a voted leeway or levy program as described in Subsection (5)(a)(ii); or
             413          (iii) a vote authorized or required for a sales tax issue as described in Subsection
             414      (5)(a)(vi).
             415          Section 4. Section 20A-3-302 is amended to read:
             416           20A-3-302. Conducting entire election by absentee ballot.
             417          (1) Notwithstanding Section 17B-1-306 , an election officer may administer an election
             418      entirely by absentee ballot.
             419          (2) If the election officer decides to administer an election entirely by absentee ballot,
             420      the election officer shall mail to each registered voter within that voting precinct:
             421          (a) an absentee ballot;


             422          (b) a statement that there will be no polling place in the voting precinct for the election;
             423          (c) a business reply mail envelope;
             424          (d) instructions for returning the ballot that include an express notice about any
             425      relevant deadlines that the voter must meet in order for the voter's vote to be counted; and
             426          (e) if the election officer does not operate an election day voting center, a warning, on a
             427      separate page of colored paper in bold face print, indicating that if the voter fails to follow the
             428      instructions included with the absentee ballot, the voter will be unable to vote in that election
             429      because there will be no polling place in the voting precinct on the day of the election.
             430          (3) Any voter who votes by absentee ballot under this [subsection] section is not
             431      required to apply for an absentee ballot as required by this part.
             432          (4) An election officer who administers an election entirely by absentee ballot shall:
             433          (a) (i) obtain, in person, the signatures of each voter within that voting precinct before
             434      the election; or
             435          (ii) obtain the signature of each voter within the voting precinct from the county clerk;
             436      and
             437          (b) maintain the signatures on file in the election officer's office.
             438          (5) (a) Upon receiving the returned absentee ballots, the election officer shall compare
             439      the signature on each absentee ballot with the voter's signature that is maintained on file and
             440      verify that the signatures are the same.
             441          (b) If the election officer questions the authenticity of the signature on the absentee
             442      ballot, the election officer shall immediately contact the voter to verify the signature.
             443          (c) If [the voter does not confirm the voter's signature on the absentee ballot] the
             444      election official determines that the signature on the absentee ballot does not match the voter's
             445      signature that is maintained on file, the election officer shall:
             446          (i) unless the absentee ballot application deadline described in Section 20a-3-304 has
             447      passed, immediately send another absentee ballot and other voting materials as required by this
             448      [subsection] section to the voter; and
             449          (ii) disqualify the initial absentee ballot.


             450          Section 5. Section 20A-3-306 is amended to read:
             451           20A-3-306. Voting ballot -- Returning ballot.
             452          (1) (a) To vote a mail-in absentee ballot, the absentee voter shall:
             453          (i) complete and sign the affidavit on the envelope;
             454          (ii) mark the votes on the absentee ballot;
             455          (iii) place the voted absentee ballot in the envelope;
             456          (iv) securely seal the envelope; and
             457          (v) attach postage, unless voting in accordance with Section 20A-3-302 , and deposit
             458      the envelope in the mail or deliver it in person to the election officer from whom the ballot was
             459      obtained.
             460          (b) To vote an absentee ballot in person at the office of the election officer, the absent
             461      voter shall:
             462          (i) complete and sign the affidavit on the envelope;
             463          (ii) mark the votes on the absent-voter ballot;
             464          (iii) place the voted absent-voter ballot in the envelope;
             465          (iv) securely seal the envelope; and
             466          (v) give the ballot and envelope to the election officer.
             467          (2) An absentee ballot is not valid unless:
             468          (a) in the case of an absentee ballot that is voted in person, it is applied for and cast in
             469      person at the office of the appropriate election officer no later than the Friday before election
             470      day; [or]
             471          (b) in the case of an absentee ballot that is submitted by mail, the absentee ballot is:
             472          (i) postmarked on or before election day; and
             473          (ii) received by the election officer before noon on the day of the canvass; or
             474          [(b)] (c) in the case of a military-overseas ballot, submitted in accordance with Section
             475      20A-16-404 .
             476          Section 6. Section 20A-3-605 is amended to read:
             477           20A-3-605. Exemptions from early voting.


             478          (1) (a) This part does not apply to an election of a board member of a local district.
             479          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a), a local district may, at its discretion, provide
             480      early voting in accordance with this part for an election of a board member.
             481          (2) Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 20A-3-601 , a municipality of the fifth
             482      class or a town as described in Section 10-2-301 may provide early voting as provided under
             483      this part for:
             484          (a) a municipal primary election; or
             485          (b) a municipal general election.
             486          (3) A municipality or county that administers an election entirely by absentee ballot, in
             487      accordance with Section 20A-3-302 , is not required to conduct early voting for the election.
             488          Section 7. Section 20A-6-401.1 is amended to read:
             489           20A-6-401.1. Ballots for partisan municipal primary elections.
             490          (1) If a municipality is using paper ballots, each election officer shall ensure that:
             491          (a) all paper ballots furnished for use at the regular primary election:
             492          (i) are perforated to separate the candidates of one political party from those of the
             493      other political parties so that the voter may separate the part of the ballot containing the names
             494      of the political party of the voter's choice from the rest of the ballot;
             495          (ii) have sides that are perforated so that the outside sections of the ballot, when
             496      detached, are similar in appearance to the inside sections of the ballot when detached; and
             497          (iii) contain no captions or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
             498          (b) the names of all candidates from each party are listed on the same ballot in one or
             499      more columns under their party name and emblem;
             500          (c) the political parties are printed on the ballot in the order specified under Section
             501      20A-6-305 ;
             502          (d) (i) the ballot contains a ballot stub that is at least one inch wide, placed across the
             503      top of the ballot;
             504          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initials ____" are printed on the
             505      stub; and


             506          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             507          (e) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             508      printed in 18-point bold type:
             509          (i) "Official Primary Ballot for ____ [County] (name of municipality), Utah";
             510          (ii) the date of the election; and
             511          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the [county] municipal clerk or recorder and the
             512      words "[county] municipal clerk" or "municipal recorder";
             513          (f) after the facsimile signature, the political party emblem and the name of the
             514      political party are printed;
             515          (g) after the party name and emblem, the ballot contains the following printed in not
             516      smaller than 10-point bold face, double leaded type: "Instructions to Voters: To vote for a
             517      candidate, place a cross (X) in the square immediately adjacent to the name of the person for
             518      whom you wish to vote and in no other place. Do not vote for any candidate listed under more
             519      than one party or group designation.", followed by two one-point parallel horizontal rules;
             520          (h) after the rules, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             521      nomination is printed flush with the left-hand margin and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote
             522      for up to _____ (the number of candidates for which the voter may vote)" are printed to extend
             523      to the extreme right of the column in 10-point bold type, followed by a hair-line rule;
             524          (i) after the hair-line rule, the names of the candidates are printed in heavy face type
             525      between lines or rules three-eighths inch apart, in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305
             526      with surnames last and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             527          (j) a square with sides not less than one-fourth inch long is printed immediately
             528      adjacent to the names of the candidates;
             529          (k) the candidate groups are separated from each other by one light and one heavy line
             530      or rule; and
             531          (l) the nonpartisan candidates are listed as follows:
             532          (i) immediately below the listing of the party candidates, the word "NONPARTISAN"
             533      is printed in reverse type in an 18 point solid rule that extends the full width of the type copy of


             534      the party listing above; and
             535          (ii) below "NONPARTISAN," the office, the number of candidates to vote for, the
             536      candidate's name, the voting square, and any other necessary information is printed in the same
             537      style and manner as for party candidates.
             538          (2) (a) If a municipality is using ballot sheets or electronic ballots, the election officer
             539      may require that:
             540          (i) the ballot, or ballot label in the case of a punch card ballot, for a regular primary
             541      election consist of several groups of pages or display screens, so that a separate group can be
             542      used to list the names of candidates seeking nomination of each qualified political party, with
             543      additional groups used to list candidates for other nonpartisan offices;
             544          (ii) the separate groups of pages or display screens are identified by color or other
             545      suitable means; and
             546          (iii) the ballot or ballot label contain instructions that direct the voter how to vote the
             547      ballot.
             548          (b) If a municipality is using ballot sheets or electronic ballots, each election officer
             549      shall:
             550          (i) for municipalities using punch card ballots, ensure that the ballot label provides a
             551      means for the voter to designate the political party in whose primary the voter is voting; and
             552          (ii) determine the order for printing the names of the political parties on the ballot label
             553      in accordance with Section 20A-6-305 .
             554          Section 8. Section 20A-7-702 is amended to read:
             555           20A-7-702. Voter information pamphlet -- Form -- Contents -- Distribution.
             556          (1) The lieutenant governor shall ensure that all information submitted for publication
             557      in the voter information pamphlet is:
             558          (a) printed and bound in a single pamphlet;
             559          (b) printed in clear readable type, no less than 10 point, except that the text of any
             560      measure may be set forth in eight-point type; and
             561          (c) printed on a quality and weight of paper that best serves the voters.


             562          (2) The voter information pamphlet shall contain the following items in this order:
             563          (a) a cover title page;
             564          (b) an introduction to the pamphlet by the lieutenant governor;
             565          (c) a table of contents;
             566          (d) a list of all candidates for constitutional offices;
             567          (e) a list of candidates for each legislative district;
             568          (f) a 100-word statement of qualifications for each candidate for the office of governor,
             569      lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, or state treasurer, if submitted by the
             570      candidate to the lieutenant governor's office before 5 p.m. on the date that falls 105 days before
             571      the date of the election;
             572          (g) information pertaining to all measures to be submitted to the voters, beginning a
             573      new page for each measure and containing, in the following order for each measure:
             574          (i) a copy of the number and ballot title of the measure;
             575          (ii) the final vote cast by the Legislature on the measure if it is a measure submitted by
             576      the Legislature or by referendum;
             577          (iii) the impartial analysis of the measure prepared by the Office of Legislative
             578      Research and General Counsel;
             579          (iv) the arguments in favor of the measure, the rebuttal to the arguments in favor of the
             580      measure, the arguments against the measure, and the rebuttal to the arguments against the
             581      measure, with the name and title of the authors at the end of each argument or rebuttal;
             582          (v) for each constitutional amendment, a complete copy of the text of the constitutional
             583      amendment, with all new language underlined, and all deleted language placed within brackets;
             584          (vi) for each initiative qualified for the ballot, a copy of the measure as certified by the
             585      lieutenant governor and a copy of the fiscal impact estimate prepared according to Section
             586      20A-7-202.5 ; and
             587          (vii) for each referendum qualified for the ballot, a complete copy of the text of the law
             588      being submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, with all new language underlined
             589      and all deleted language placed within brackets, as applicable;


             590          (h) a description provided by the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission of the
             591      selection and retention process for judges, including, in the following order:
             592          (i) a description of the judicial selection process;
             593          (ii) a description of the judicial performance evaluation process;
             594          (iii) a description of the judicial retention election process;
             595          (iv) a list of the criteria of the judicial performance evaluation and the minimum
             596      performance standards;
             597          (v) the names of the judges standing for retention election; and
             598          (vi) for each judge:
             599          (A) a list of the counties in which the judge is subject to retention election;
             600          (B) a short biography of professional qualifications and a recent photograph;
             601          (C) a narrative concerning the judge's performance;
             602          [(C)] (D) for each standard of performance, a statement identifying whether or not the
             603      judge met the standard and, if not, the manner in which the judge failed to meet the standard;
             604          [(D) a statement provided by the Utah Supreme Court identifying the cumulative
             605      number of informal reprimands, when consented to by the judge in accordance with Title 78A,
             606      Chapter 11, Judicial Conduct Commission, formal reprimands, and all orders of censure and
             607      suspension issued by the Utah Supreme Court under Utah Constitution Article VIII, Section 13
             608      during the judge's current term and the immediately preceding term, and a detailed summary of
             609      the supporting reasons for each violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct that the judge has
             610      received;]
             611          (E) a statement identifying whether or not the Judicial Performance Evaluation
             612      Commission recommends the judge be retained or declines to make a recommendation and the
             613      number of votes for and against the commission's recommendation; [and]
             614          (F) any statement provided by a judge who is not recommended for retention by the
             615      Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission under Section 78A-12-203 ;
             616          [(vii)] (G) [for each judge,] in a bar graph, the average of responses to each survey
             617      category, displayed with an identification of the minimum acceptable score as set by Section


             618      78A-12-205 and the average score of all judges of the same court level; and
             619          [(viii)] (H) a website address that contains the Judicial Performance Evaluation
             620      Commission's report on the judge's performance evaluation;
             621          (i) for each judge, a statement provided by the Utah Supreme Court identifying the
             622      cumulative number of informal reprimands, when consented to by the judge in accordance with
             623      Title 78A, Chapter 11, Judicial Conduct Commission, formal reprimands, and all orders of
             624      censure and suspension issued by the Utah Supreme Court under Utah Constitution Article
             625      VIII, Section 13, during the judge's current term and the immediately preceding term, and a
             626      detailed summary of the supporting reasons for each violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct
             627      that the judge has received;
             628          [(i)] (j) an explanation of ballot marking procedures prepared by the lieutenant
             629      governor, indicating the ballot marking procedure used by each county and explaining how to
             630      mark the ballot for each procedure;
             631          [(j)] (k) voter registration information, including information on how to obtain an
             632      absentee ballot;
             633          [(k)] (l) a list of all county clerks' offices and phone numbers; and
             634          [(l)] (m) on the back cover page, a printed copy of the following statement signed by
             635      the lieutenant governor:
             636          "I, _______________ (print name), Lieutenant Governor of Utah, certify that the
             637      measures contained in this pamphlet will be submitted to the voters of Utah at the election to
             638      be held throughout the state on ____ (date of election), and that this pamphlet is complete and
             639      correct according to law.
             640      SEAL
             641          Witness my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at Salt Lake City, Utah this ____ day
             642      of ____ (month), ____ (year)
             643     
(signed) ____________________________________

             644     
Lieutenant Governor"

             645          (3) No earlier than 75 days, and no later than 15 days, before the day on which voting


             646      commences, the lieutenant governor shall:
             647          (a) (i) distribute one copy of the voter information pamphlet to each household within
             648      the state;
             649          (ii) distribute to each household within the state a notice:
             650          (A) printed on a postage prepaid, preaddressed return form that a person may use to
             651      request delivery of a voter information pamphlet by mail;
             652          (B) that states the address of the Statewide Electronic Voter Information Website
             653      authorized by Section 20A-7-801 ; and
             654          (C) that states the phone number a voter may call to request delivery of a voter
             655      information pamphlet by mail; or
             656          (iii) ensure that one copy of the voter information pamphlet is placed in one issue of
             657      every newspaper of general circulation in the state;
             658          (b) ensure that a sufficient number of printed voter information pamphlets are available
             659      for distribution as required by this section;
             660          (c) provide voter information pamphlets to each county clerk for free distribution upon
             661      request and for placement at polling places; and
             662          (d) ensure that the distribution of the voter information pamphlets is completed 15 days
             663      before the election.
             664          (4) The lieutenant governor may distribute a voter information pamphlet at a location
             665      frequented by a person who cannot easily access the Statewide Electronic Voter Information
             666      Website authorized by Section 20A-7-801 .
             667          (5) The lieutenant governor shall:
             668          (a) conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the notice authorized by this
             669      section; and
             670          (b) provide the results of a study described in Subsection (5)(a) to the Government
             671      Operations Interim Committee by October 1, 2013.
             672          Section 9. Section 20A-11-104 is amended to read:
             673           20A-11-104. Personal use expenditure -- Authorized and prohibited uses of


             674      campaign funds -- Enforcement -- Penalties.
             675          (1) (a) As used in this chapter, "personal use expenditure" means an expenditure that:
             676          (i) (A) is not excluded from the definition of personal use expenditure by Subsection
             677      (2); and
             678          (B) primarily furthers a personal interest of a candidate or officeholder or a candidate's
             679      or officeholder's family, which interest is not connected with the performance of an activity as
             680      a candidate or an activity or duty of an officeholder; or
             681          (ii) would cause the candidate or officeholder to recognize the expenditure as taxable
             682      income under federal law.
             683          (b) "Personal use expenditure" includes:
             684          (i) a mortgage, rent, utility, or vehicle payment;
             685          (ii) a household food item or supply;
             686          (iii) clothing, except for clothing:
             687          (A) bearing the candidate's name or campaign slogan or logo; and
             688          (B) used in the candidate's campaign;
             689          (iv) an admission to a sporting, artistic, or recreational event or other form of
             690      entertainment;
             691          (v) dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club, or recreational facility;
             692          (vi) a salary payment made to:
             693          (A) a candidate or officeholder; or
             694          (B) a person who has not provided a bona fide service to a candidate or officeholder;
             695          (vii) a vacation;
             696          (viii) a vehicle expense;
             697          (ix) a meal expense;
             698          (x) a travel expense;
             699          (xi) a payment of an administrative, civil, or criminal penalty;
             700          (xii) a satisfaction of a personal debt;
             701          (xiii) a personal service, including the service of an attorney, accountant, physician, or


             702      other professional person;
             703          (xiv) a membership fee for a professional or service organization; and
             704          (xv) a payment in excess of the fair market value of the item or service purchased.
             705          (2) As used in this chapter, "personal use expenditure" does not mean an expenditure
             706      made:
             707          (a) for a political purpose;
             708          (b) for candidacy for public office;
             709          (c) to fulfill a duty or activity of an officeholder;
             710          (d) for a donation to a registered political party;
             711          (e) for a contribution to another candidate's campaign account, including sponsorship
             712      of or attendance at an event, the primary purpose of which is to solicit a contribution for
             713      another candidate's campaign account;
             714          (f) to return all or a portion of a contribution to a contributor;
             715          (g) for the following items, if made in connection with the candidacy for public office
             716      or an activity or duty of an officeholder:
             717          (i) (A) a mileage allowance at the rate established by the Division of Finance under
             718      Section 63A-3-107 ; or
             719          (B) for motor fuel or special fuel, as defined in Section 59-13-102 ;
             720          (ii) a meal expense;
             721          (iii) a travel expense, including an expense incurred for airfare or a rental vehicle;
             722          (iv) a payment for a service provided by an attorney or accountant;
             723          (v) a tuition payment or registration fee for participation in a meeting or conference;
             724          (vi) a gift;
             725          (vii) a payment for the following items in connection with an office space:
             726          (A) rent;
             727          (B) utilities;
             728          (C) a supply; or
             729          (D) furnishing;


             730          (viii) a booth at a meeting or event; or
             731          (ix) educational material;
             732          (h) to purchase or mail informational material, a survey, or a greeting card;
             733          (i) for a donation to a charitable organization, as defined by Section 13-22-2 , including
             734      admission to or sponsorship of an event, the primary purpose of which is charitable solicitation,
             735      as defined in Section 13-22-2 ;
             736          (j) to repay a loan a candidate makes from the candidate's personal account to the
             737      candidate's campaign account;
             738          (k) to pay membership dues to a national organization whose primary purpose is to
             739      address general public policy;
             740          (l) for admission to or sponsorship of an event, the primary purpose of which is to
             741      promote the social, educational, or economic well-being of the state or the candidate's or
             742      officeholder's community; or
             743          (m) for one or more guests of an officeholder or candidate to attend an event, meeting,
             744      or conference described in this Subsection (2).
             745          (3) (a) The lieutenant governor shall enforce this [section] chapter prohibiting a
             746      personal use expenditure by:
             747          (i) evaluating a financial statement to identify a personal use expenditure; and
             748          (ii) commencing an informal adjudicative proceeding in accordance with Title 63G,
             749      Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act, if the lieutenant governor has probable cause to
             750      believe a candidate or officeholder has made a personal use expenditure.
             751          (b) Following the proceeding, the lieutenant governor may issue a signed order
             752      requiring a candidate or officeholder who has made a personal use expenditure to:
             753          (i) remit an administrative penalty of an amount equal to 50% of the personal use
             754      expenditure to the lieutenant governor; and
             755          (ii) deposit the amount of the personal use expenditure in the campaign account from
             756      which the personal use expenditure was disbursed.
             757          (c) The lieutenant governor shall deposit money received under Subsection (3)(b)(i) in


             758      the General Fund.
             759          Section 10. Section 20A-11-402 is amended to read:
             760           20A-11-402. Officeholder financial reporting requirements -- Termination of
             761      duty to report.
             762          (1) An officeholder is active and subject to reporting requirements until the
             763      officeholder has filed a statement of dissolution with the lieutenant governor stating that:
             764          (a) the officeholder is no longer receiving contributions or public service assistance and
             765      is no longer making expenditures;
             766          (b) the ending balance on the last summary report filed is zero and the balance in the
             767      separate bank account required by [Sections] Section 20A-11-201 [and], 20A-11-301 , or
             768      20A-11-1301 is zero; and
             769          (c) a final summary report in the form required by Section 20A-11-401 showing a zero
             770      balance is attached to the statement of dissolution.
             771          (2) A statement of dissolution and a final summary report may be filed at any time.
             772          (3) Each officeholder shall continue to file the year-end summary report required by
             773      Section 20A-11-401 until the statement of dissolution and final summary report required by
             774      this section are filed with the lieutenant governor.
             775          (4) An officeholder may not use a contribution deposited in an account in accordance
             776      with this chapter for:
             777          (a) a personal use expenditure; or
             778          (b) an expenditure prohibited by law.
             779          (5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), a person who is no longer an
             780      officeholder may not expend or transfer the money in a campaign account in a manner that
             781      would cause the former officeholder to recognize the money as taxable income under federal
             782      tax law.
             783          (b) A person who is no longer an officeholder may transfer the money in a campaign
             784      account in a manner that would cause the former officeholder to recognize the money as
             785      taxable income under federal tax law if the transfer is made to a campaign account for federal


             786      office.


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