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H.B. 258

             1     

STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING AMENDMENTS

             2     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Patrice M. Arent

             5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions in Title 20A, Election Code, relating to the ballot form to
             10      not accommodate straight party ticket voting.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    amends definitions;
             14          .    repeals a provision that authorizes a voter to vote for all the candidates from one
             15      registered political party by marking the ballot above the party name;
             16          .    amends the ballot form to not accommodate straight party ticket voting; and
             17          .    makes technical and conforming changes.
             18      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24          20A-1-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapters 72, 251, 309, 359 and last
             25      amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 309
             26          20A-3-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 326
             27          20A-4-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 177


             28          20A-4-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1999, Chapter 56
             29          20A-5-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 256 and 329
             30          20A-6-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 68
             31          20A-6-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 292
             32          20A-6-304, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 292
             33          20A-6-305, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 292
             34     
             35      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             36          Section 1. Section 20A-1-102 is amended to read:
             37           20A-1-102. Definitions.
             38          As used in this title:
             39          (1) "Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive
             40      voter by the county clerk.
             41          (2) "Automatic tabulating equipment" means apparatus that automatically examines
             42      and counts votes recorded on paper ballots or ballot sheets and tabulates the results.
             43          (3) (a) "Ballot" means the storage medium, whether paper, mechanical, or electronic,
             44      upon which a voter records the voter's votes.
             45          (b) "Ballot" includes ballot sheets, paper ballots, electronic ballots, and secrecy
             46      envelopes.
             47          (4) "Ballot sheet":
             48          (a) means a ballot that:
             49          (i) consists of paper or a card where the voter's votes are marked or recorded; and
             50          (ii) can be counted using automatic tabulating equipment; and
             51          (b) includes punch card ballots and other ballots that are machine-countable.
             52          (5) "Ballot label" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages, or other materials that:
             53          (a) contain the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to
             54      be voted on; and
             55          (b) are used in conjunction with ballot sheets that do not display that information.
             56          (6) "Ballot proposition" means a question, issue, or proposal that is submitted to voters
             57      on the ballot for their approval or rejection including:
             58          (a) an opinion question specifically authorized by the Legislature;


             59          (b) a constitutional amendment;
             60          (c) an initiative;
             61          (d) a referendum;
             62          (e) a bond proposition;
             63          (f) a judicial retention question;
             64          (g) an incorporation of a city or town; or
             65          (h) any other ballot question specifically authorized by the Legislature.
             66          (7) "Bind,"[,] "binding,"[,] or "bound" means securing more than one piece of paper
             67      together with a staple or stitch in at least three places across the top of the paper in the blank
             68      space reserved for securing the paper.
             69          (8) "Board of canvassers" means the entities established by Sections 20A-4-301 and
             70      20A-4-306 to canvass election returns.
             71          (9) "Bond election" means an election held for the purpose of approving or rejecting
             72      the proposed issuance of bonds by a government entity.
             73          (10) "Book voter registration form" means voter registration forms contained in a
             74      bound book that are used by election officers and registration agents to register persons to vote.
             75          (11) "Business reply mail envelope" means an envelope that may be mailed free of
             76      charge by the sender.
             77          (12) "By-mail voter registration form" means a voter registration form designed to be
             78      completed by the voter and mailed to the election officer.
             79          (13) "Canvass" means the review of election returns and the official declaration of
             80      election results by the board of canvassers.
             81          (14) "Canvassing judge" means a poll worker designated to assist in counting ballots at
             82      the canvass.
             83          (15) "Contracting election officer" means an election officer who enters into a contract
             84      or interlocal agreement with a provider election officer.
             85          (16) "Convention" means the political party convention at which party officers and
             86      delegates are selected.
             87          (17) "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by the election officer in
             88      charge of the election for the automatic counting of ballots.
             89          (18) "Counting judge" means a poll worker designated to count the ballots during


             90      election day.
             91          (19) "Counting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in Section
             92      20A-3-201 to witness the counting of ballots.
             93          (20) "Counting room" means a suitable and convenient private place or room,
             94      immediately adjoining the place where the election is being held, for use by the poll workers
             95      and counting judges to count ballots during election day.
             96          (21) "County officers" means those county officers that are required by law to be
             97      elected.
             98          (22) "Date of the election" or "election day" or "day of the election":
             99          (a) means the day that is specified in the calendar year as the day that the election
             100      occurs; and
             101          (b) does not include:
             102          (i) deadlines established for absentee voting; or
             103          (ii) any early voting or early voting period as provided under Chapter 3, Part 6, Early
             104      Voting.
             105          (23) "Elected official" means:
             106          (a) a person elected to an office under Section 20A-1-303 ;
             107          (b) a person who is considered to be elected to a municipal office in accordance with
             108      Subsection 20A-1-206 (1)(c)(ii); or
             109          (c) a person who is considered to be elected to a local district office in accordance with
             110      Subsection 20A-1-206 (3)(c)(ii).
             111          (24) "Election" means a regular general election, a municipal general election, a
             112      statewide special election, a local special election, a regular primary election, a municipal
             113      primary election, and a local district election.
             114          (25) "Election Assistance Commission" means the commission established by Public
             115      Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
             116          (26) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day persons are eligible to
             117      file declarations of candidacy and ending when the canvass is completed.
             118          (27) "Election judge" means a poll worker that is assigned to:
             119          (a) preside over other poll workers at a polling place;
             120          (b) act as the presiding election judge; or


             121          (c) serve as a canvassing judge, counting judge, or receiving judge.
             122          (28) "Election officer" means:
             123          (a) the lieutenant governor, for all statewide ballots and elections;
             124          (b) the county clerk for:
             125          (i) a county ballot and election; and
             126          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             127      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ;
             128          (c) the municipal clerk for:
             129          (i) a municipal ballot and election; and
             130          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             131      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ;
             132          (d) the local district clerk or chief executive officer for:
             133          (i) a local district ballot and election; and
             134          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             135      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ; or
             136          (e) the business administrator or superintendent of a school district for:
             137          (i) a school district ballot and election; and
             138          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             139      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 .
             140          (29) "Election official" means any election officer, election judge, or poll worker.
             141          (30) "Election results" means:
             142          (a) for an election other than a bond election, the count of votes cast in the election and
             143      the election returns requested by the board of canvassers; or
             144          (b) for bond elections, the count of those votes cast for and against the bond
             145      proposition plus any or all of the election returns that the board of canvassers may request.
             146          (31) "Election returns" includes the pollbook, the military and overseas absentee voter
             147      registration and voting certificates, one of the tally sheets, any unprocessed absentee ballots, all
             148      counted ballots, all excess ballots, all unused ballots, all spoiled ballots, the ballot disposition
             149      form, and the total votes cast form.
             150          (32) "Electronic ballot" means a ballot that is recorded using a direct electronic voting
             151      device or other voting device that records and stores ballot information by electronic means.


             152          (33) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to
             153      or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign
             154      the record.
             155          (34) (a) "Electronic voting device" means a voting device that uses electronic ballots.
             156          (b) "Electronic voting device" includes a direct recording electronic voting device.
             157          (35) "Inactive voter" means a registered voter who has:
             158          (a) been sent the notice required by Section 20A-2-306 ; and
             159          (b) failed to respond to that notice.
             160          (36) "Inspecting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in this title to
             161      witness the receipt and safe deposit of voted and counted ballots.
             162          (37) "Judicial office" means the office filled by any judicial officer.
             163          (38) "Judicial officer" means any justice or judge of a court of record or any county
             164      court judge.
             165          (39) "Local district" means a local government entity under Title 17B, Limited Purpose
             166      Local Government Entities - Local Districts, and includes a special service district under Title
             167      17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.
             168          (40) "Local district officers" means those local district officers that are required by law
             169      to be elected.
             170          (41) "Local election" means a regular municipal election, a local special election, a
             171      local district election, and a bond election.
             172          (42) "Local political subdivision" means a county, a municipality, a local district, or a
             173      local school district.
             174          (43) "Local special election" means a special election called by the governing body of a
             175      local political subdivision in which all registered voters of the local political subdivision may
             176      vote.
             177          (44) "Municipal executive" means:
             178          (a) the mayor in the council-mayor form of government defined in Section 10-3b-102 ;
             179      or
             180          (b) the mayor in the council-manager form of government defined in Subsection
             181      10-3b-103 (6).
             182          (45) "Municipal general election" means the election held in municipalities and local


             183      districts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year
             184      for the purposes established in Section 20A-1-202 .
             185          (46) "Municipal legislative body" means the council of the city or town in any form of
             186      municipal government.
             187          (47) "Municipal office" means an elective office in a municipality.
             188          (48) "Municipal officers" means those municipal officers that are required by law to be
             189      elected.
             190          (49) "Municipal primary election" means an election held to nominate candidates for
             191      municipal office.
             192          (50) "Official ballot" means the ballots distributed by the election officer to the poll
             193      workers to be given to voters to record their votes.
             194          (51) "Official endorsement" means:
             195          (a) the information on the ballot that identifies:
             196          (i) the ballot as an official ballot;
             197          (ii) the date of the election; and
             198          (iii) the facsimile signature of the election officer; and
             199          (b) the information on the ballot stub that identifies:
             200          (i) the poll worker's initials; and
             201          (ii) the ballot number.
             202          (52) "Official register" means the official record furnished to election officials by the
             203      election officer that contains the information required by Section 20A-5-401 .
             204          (53) "Paper ballot" means a paper that contains:
             205          (a) the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to be
             206      voted on; and
             207          (b) spaces for the voter to record the voter's vote for each office and for or against each
             208      ballot proposition.
             209          (54) "Political party" means an organization of registered voters that has qualified to
             210      participate in an election by meeting the requirements of Chapter 8, Political Party Formation
             211      and Procedures.
             212          (55) (a) "Poll worker" means a person assigned by an election official to assist with an
             213      election, voting, or counting votes.


             214          (b) "Poll worker" includes election judges.
             215          (c) "Poll worker" does not include a watcher.
             216          (56) "Pollbook" means a record of the names of voters in the order that they appear to
             217      cast votes.
             218          (57) "Polling place" means the building where voting is conducted.
             219          (58) "Position" means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a ballot
             220      in which the voter marks the voter's choice.
             221          (59) "Provider election officer" means an election officer who enters into a contract or
             222      interlocal agreement with a contracting election officer to conduct an election for the
             223      contracting election officer's local political subdivision in accordance with Section
             224      20A-5-400.1 .
             225          (60) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot voted provisionally by a person:
             226          (a) whose name is not listed on the official register at the polling place;
             227          (b) whose legal right to vote is challenged as provided in this title; or
             228          (c) whose identity was not sufficiently established by a poll worker.
             229          (61) "Provisional ballot envelope" means an envelope printed in the form required by
             230      Section 20A-6-105 that is used to identify provisional ballots and to provide information to
             231      verify a person's legal right to vote.
             232          (62) "Primary convention" means the political party conventions at which nominees for
             233      the regular primary election are selected.
             234          (63) "Protective counter" means a separate counter, which cannot be reset, that:
             235          (a) is built into a voting machine; and
             236          (b) records the total number of movements of the operating lever.
             237          (64) "Qualify" or "qualified" means to take the oath of office and begin performing the
             238      duties of the position for which the person was elected.
             239          (65) "Receiving judge" means the poll worker that checks the voter's name in the
             240      official register, provides the voter with a ballot, and removes the ballot stub from the ballot
             241      after the voter has voted.
             242          (66) "Registration form" means a book voter registration form and a by-mail voter
             243      registration form.
             244          (67) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is not a provisional ballot.


             245          (68) "Regular general election" means the election held throughout the state on the first
             246      Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year for the purposes
             247      established in Section 20A-1-201 .
             248          (69) "Regular primary election" means the election on the fourth Tuesday of June of
             249      each even-numbered year, to nominate candidates of political parties and nonpolitical groups to
             250      advance to the regular general election.
             251          (70) "Resident" means a person who resides within a specific voting precinct in Utah.
             252          (71) "Sample ballot" means a mock ballot similar in form to the official ballot printed
             253      and distributed as provided in Section 20A-5-405 .
             254          [(72) "Scratch vote" means to mark or punch the straight party ticket and then mark or
             255      punch the ballot for one or more candidates who are members of different political parties.]
             256          [(73)] (72) "Secrecy envelope" means the envelope given to a voter along with the
             257      ballot into which the voter places the ballot after the voter has voted it in order to preserve the
             258      secrecy of the voter's vote.
             259          [(74)] (73) "Special election" means an election held as authorized by Section
             260      20A-1-204 .
             261          [(75)] (74) "Spoiled ballot" means each ballot that:
             262          (a) is spoiled by the voter;
             263          (b) is unable to be voted because it was spoiled by the printer or a poll worker; or
             264          (c) lacks the official endorsement.
             265          [(76)] (75) "Statewide special election" means a special election called by the governor
             266      or the Legislature in which all registered voters in Utah may vote.
             267          [(77)] (76) "Stub" means the detachable part of each ballot.
             268          [(78)] (77) "Substitute ballots" means replacement ballots provided by an election
             269      officer to the poll workers when the official ballots are lost or stolen.
             270          [(79)] (78) "Ticket" means each list of candidates for each political party or for each
             271      group of petitioners.
             272          [(80)] (79) "Transfer case" means the sealed box used to transport voted ballots to the
             273      counting center.
             274          [(81)] (80) "Vacancy" means the absence of a person to serve in any position created
             275      by statute, whether that absence occurs because of death, disability, disqualification,


             276      resignation, or other cause.
             277          [(82)] (81) "Valid voter identification" means:
             278          (a) a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may
             279      include:
             280          (i) a currently valid Utah driver license;
             281          (ii) a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
             282          (A) the state; or
             283          (B) a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
             284          (iii) a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
             285          (iv) a currently valid United States passport; or
             286          (v) a currently valid United States military identification card;
             287          (b) one of the following identification cards, whether or not the card includes a
             288      photograph of the voter:
             289          (i) a valid tribal identification card;
             290          (ii) a Bureau of Indian Affairs card; or
             291          (iii) a tribal treaty card; or
             292          (c) two forms of identification not listed under Subsection [(82)] (81)(a) or (b) but that
             293      bear the name of the voter and provide evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct,
             294      which may include:
             295          (i) a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof, dated within the 90 days before the
             296      election;
             297          (ii) a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
             298          (iii) a certified birth certificate;
             299          (iv) a valid Social Security card;
             300          (v) a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
             301          (vi) a paycheck from the voter's employer, or a legible copy thereof;
             302          (vii) a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
             303          (viii) certified naturalization documentation;
             304          (ix) a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;
             305          (x) a certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change;
             306          (xi) a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card;


             307          (xii) a currently valid identification card issued by:
             308          (A) a local government within the state;
             309          (B) an employer for an employee; or
             310          (C) a college, university, technical school, or professional school located within the
             311      state; or
             312          (xiii) a current Utah vehicle registration.
             313          [(83)] (82) "Valid write-in candidate" means a candidate who has qualified as a
             314      write-in candidate by following the procedures and requirements of this title.
             315          [(84)] (83) "Voter" means a person who:
             316          (a) meets the requirements for voting in an election;
             317          (b) meets the requirements of election registration;
             318          (c) is registered to vote; and
             319          (d) is listed in the official register book.
             320          [(85)] (84) "Voter registration deadline" means the registration deadline provided in
             321      Section 20A-2-102.5 .
             322          [(86)] (85) "Voting area" means the area within six feet of the voting booths, voting
             323      machines, and ballot box.
             324          [(87)] (86) "Voting booth" means:
             325          (a) the space or compartment within a polling place that is provided for the preparation
             326      of ballots, including the voting machine enclosure or curtain; or
             327          (b) a voting device that is free standing.
             328          [(88)] (87) "Voting device" means:
             329          (a) an apparatus in which ballot sheets are used in connection with a punch device for
             330      piercing the ballots by the voter;
             331          (b) a device for marking the ballots with ink or another substance;
             332          (c) an electronic voting device or other device used to make selections and cast a ballot
             333      electronically, or any component thereof;
             334          (d) an automated voting system under Section 20A-5-302 ; or
             335          (e) any other method for recording votes on ballots so that the ballot may be tabulated
             336      by means of automatic tabulating equipment.
             337          [(89)] (88) "Voting machine" means a machine designed for the sole purpose of


             338      recording and tabulating votes cast by voters at an election.
             339          [(90)] (89) "Voting poll watcher" means a person appointed as provided in this title to
             340      witness the distribution of ballots and the voting process.
             341          [(91)] (90) "Voting precinct" means the smallest voting unit established as provided by
             342      law within which qualified voters vote at one polling place.
             343          [(92)] (91) "Watcher" means a voting poll watcher, a counting poll watcher, an
             344      inspecting poll watcher, and a testing watcher.
             345          [(93)] (92) "Western States Presidential Primary" means the election established in
             346      Chapter 9, Part 8, Western States Presidential Primary.
             347          [(94)] (93) "Write-in ballot" means a ballot containing any write-in votes.
             348          [(95)] (94) "Write-in vote" means a vote cast for a person whose name is not printed on
             349      the ballot according to the procedures established in this title.
             350          Section 2. Section 20A-3-106 is amended to read:
             351           20A-3-106. Splitting ballot -- Writing in names -- Effect of unnecessary marking
             352      of cross.
             353          (1) When voting a paper ballot, any voter desiring to vote for all the candidates from
             354      any one registered political party may[: (a) mark in the circle or position above that political
             355      party; (b)] mark in the squares or position opposite the names of all candidates for that party
             356      ticket[; or].
             357          [(c) make both markings.]
             358          (2) (a) When voting a ballot sheet, any voter desiring to vote for all the candidates from
             359      any one registered political party may[: (i) mark the selected party on the straight party page or
             360      section; or (ii)] mark the name of each candidate from that party.
             361          (b) To vote for candidates from two or more political parties, the voter may[: (i)] mark
             362      in the squares or positions opposite the names of the candidates for whom the voter wishes to
             363      vote [without marking in any circle; or].
             364          [(ii) indicate his choice by marking in the circle or position above one political party
             365      and marking in the squares or positions opposite the names of desired candidates.]
             366          (3) (a) When voting an electronic ballot, any voter desiring to vote for all the
             367      candidates from any one registered political party may[: (i) select that party on the straight
             368      party selection area; or (ii)] select the name of each candidate from that party.


             369          (b) To vote for candidates from two or more political parties, the voter may[: (i)] select
             370      the names of the candidates for whom the voter wishes to vote [without selecting a political
             371      party in the straight party selection area; or].
             372          [(ii) select a political party in the straight party selection area and select the names of
             373      the candidates for whom the voter wishes to vote.]
             374          [(4) In any election other than a primary election, if a voter voting a ballot has selected
             375      or placed a mark next to a party name in order to vote a straight party ticket and wishes to vote
             376      for a person on another party ticket for an office, the voter shall select or mark the ballot next
             377      to the name of the candidate for whom the voter wishes to vote.]
             378          [(5)] (4) (a) The voter may cast a write-in vote on a paper ballot or ballot sheet:
             379          (i) by entering the name of a valid write-in candidate:
             380          (A) by writing the name of a valid write-in candidate in the blank write-in section of
             381      the ballot; or
             382          (B) by affixing a sticker with the office and name of the valid write-in name printed on
             383      it in the blank write-in part of the ballot; and
             384          (ii) by placing a mark opposite the name of the write-in candidate to indicate the voter's
             385      vote.
             386          (b) On a paper ballot or ballot sheet, a voter is considered to have voted for the person
             387      whose name is written or whose sticker appears in the blank write-in part of the ballot, if a
             388      mark is made opposite that name.
             389          (c) On a paper ballot or ballot sheet, the unnecessary marking of a mark in a square on
             390      the ticket below the marked circle does not affect the validity of the vote.
             391          [(6)] (5) The voter may cast a write-in vote on an electronic ballot by:
             392          (a) marking the appropriate position opposite the area for entering a write-in candidate
             393      for the office sought by the candidate for whom the voter wishes to vote; and
             394          (b) entering the name of a valid write-in candidate in the write-in selection area.
             395          Section 3. Section 20A-4-102 is amended to read:
             396           20A-4-102. Counting paper ballots after the polls close.
             397          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), as soon as the polls have been closed and
             398      the last qualified voter has voted, the election judges shall count the ballots by performing the
             399      tasks specified in this section in the order that they are specified.


             400          (b) The election judges shall apply the standards and requirements of Section
             401      20A-4-105 to resolve any questions that arise as they count the ballots.
             402          (2) (a) First, the election judges shall count the number of ballots in the ballot box.
             403          (b) (i) If there are more ballots in the ballot box than there are names entered in the
             404      pollbook, the judges shall examine the official endorsements on the ballots.
             405          (ii) If, in the unanimous opinion of the judges, any of the ballots do not bear the proper
             406      official endorsement, the judges shall put those ballots in an excess ballot file and not count
             407      them.
             408          (c) (i) If, after examining the official endorsements, there are still more ballots in the
             409      ballot box than there are names entered in the pollbook, the judges shall place the remaining
             410      ballots back in the ballot box.
             411          (ii) One of the judges, without looking, shall draw a number of ballots equal to the
             412      excess from the ballot box.
             413          (iii) The judges shall put those excess ballots into the excess ballot envelope and not
             414      count them.
             415          (d) When the ballots in the ballot box equal the number of names entered in the
             416      pollbook, the judges shall count the votes.
             417          (3) The judges shall:
             418          (a) place all unused ballots in the envelope or container provided for return to the
             419      county clerk or city recorder; and
             420          (b) seal that envelope or container.
             421          (4) The judges shall:
             422          (a) place all of the provisional ballot envelopes in the envelope provided for them for
             423      return to the election officer; and
             424          (b) seal that envelope or container.
             425          (5) (a) In counting the votes, the election judges shall read and count each ballot
             426      separately.
             427          (b) In regular primary elections the judges shall:
             428          (i) count the number of ballots cast for each party;
             429          (ii) place the ballots cast for each party in separate piles; and
             430          (iii) count all the ballots for one party before beginning to count the ballots cast for


             431      other parties.
             432          (6) (a) In all elections, the counting judges shall:
             433          (i) count one vote for each candidate designated by the marks in the squares next to the
             434      candidate's name;
             435          [(ii) count one vote for each candidate on the ticket beneath a marked circle, excluding
             436      any candidate for an office for which a vote has been cast for a candidate for the same office
             437      upon another ticket by the placing of a mark in the square opposite the name of that candidate
             438      on the other ticket;]
             439          [(iii)] (ii) count each vote for each write-in candidate who has qualified by filing a
             440      declaration of candidacy under Section 20A-9-601 ;
             441          [(iv)] (iii) read every name marked on the ballot and mark every name upon the tally
             442      sheets before another ballot is counted;
             443          [(v)] (iv) evaluate each ballot and each vote based on the standards and requirements of
             444      Section 20A-4-105 ;
             445          [(vi)] (v) write the word "spoiled" on the back of each ballot that lacks the official
             446      endorsement and deposit it in the spoiled ballot envelope; and
             447          [(vii)] (vi) read, count, and record upon the tally sheets the votes that each candidate
             448      and ballot proposition received from all ballots, except excess or spoiled ballots.
             449          (b) Election judges need not tally write-in votes for fictitious persons, nonpersons, or
             450      persons clearly not eligible to qualify for office.
             451          (c) The judges shall certify to the accuracy and completeness of the tally list in the
             452      space provided on the tally list.
             453          (d) When the judges have counted all of the voted ballots, they shall record the results
             454      on the total votes cast form.
             455          (7) Only election judges and counting poll watchers may be present at the place where
             456      counting is conducted until the count is completed.
             457          Section 4. Section 20A-4-105 is amended to read:
             458           20A-4-105. Standards and requirements for evaluating voter's ballot choices.
             459          (1) Each person counting ballots shall apply the standards and requirements of this
             460      section to resolve any questions that arise as ballots are counted.
             461          (2) Except as provided in Subsection [(11)] (10), if a voter marks more names than


             462      there are persons to be elected to an office, or if for any reason it is impossible to determine the
             463      choice of any voter for any office to be filled, the counter may not count that voter's ballot for
             464      that office.
             465          (3) The counter shall count a defective or incomplete mark on any paper ballot if:
             466          (a) it is in the proper place; and
             467          (b) there is no other mark or cross on the paper ballot indicating the voter's intent to
             468      vote other than as indicated by the defective mark.
             469          [(4) (a) When the voter has marked the ballot so that it appears that the voter has voted
             470      more than one straight ticket, the election judges may not count any votes for party candidates.]
             471          [(b) The election judges shall count the remainder of the ballot if it is voted correctly.]
             472          [(5)] (4) A counter may not reject a ballot marked by the voter because of marks on the
             473      ballot other than those marks allowed by this section unless the extraneous marks on a ballot or
             474      group of ballots show an intent by a person or group to mark their ballots so that their ballots
             475      can be identified.
             476          [(6)] (5) (a) In counting the ballots, the counters shall give full consideration to the
             477      intent of the voter.
             478          (b) The counters may not invalidate a ballot because of mechanical and technical
             479      defects in voting or failure on the part of the voter to follow strictly the rules for balloting
             480      required by Chapter 3, Voting.
             481          [(7)] (6) The counters may not reject a ballot because of any error in:
             482          (a) stamping or writing any official endorsement; or
             483          (b) delivering the wrong ballots to any polling place.
             484          [(8)] (7) The counter may not count any paper ballot that does not have the official
             485      endorsement by an election officer.
             486          [(9)] (8) If the counter discovers that the name of a candidate voted for is misspelled or
             487      that the initial letters of a candidate's given name are transposed or omitted in part or
             488      altogether, the counter shall count the voter's vote for that candidate if it is apparent that the
             489      voter intended to vote for that candidate.
             490          [(10)] (9) The counter shall count a vote for the president and the vice president of any
             491      political party as a vote for the presidential electors selected by the political party.
             492          [(11)] (10) In counting the valid write-in votes, if, by casting a valid write-in vote, a


             493      voter has cast more votes for an office than that voter is entitled to vote for that office, the
             494      judges shall count the valid write-in vote as being the obvious intent of the voter.
             495          Section 5. Section 20A-5-302 is amended to read:
             496           20A-5-302. Automated voting system.
             497          (1) (a) Any county or municipal legislative body or local district board may:
             498          (i) adopt, experiment with, acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, or abandon any
             499      automated voting system that meets the requirements of this section; and
             500          (ii) use that system in any election, in all or a part of the voting precincts within its
             501      boundaries, or in combination with paper ballots.
             502          (b) Nothing in this title shall be construed to require the use of electronic voting
             503      devices in local special elections, municipal primary elections, or municipal general elections.
             504          (2) (a) Each automated voting system shall:
             505          (i) provide for voting in secrecy, except in the case of voters who have received
             506      assistance as authorized by Section 20A-3-108 ;
             507          (ii) permit each voter at any election to:
             508          (A) vote for all persons and offices for whom and for which that voter is lawfully
             509      entitled to vote;
             510          (B) vote for as many persons for an office as that voter is entitled to vote; and
             511          (C) vote for or against any ballot proposition upon which that voter is entitled to vote;
             512          (iii) permit each voter, at presidential elections, by one mark or punch to vote for the
             513      candidates of that party for president, vice president, and for their presidential electors;
             514          [(iv) permit each voter, at any regular general election, to vote for all the candidates of
             515      one registered political party by making one mark or punch;]
             516          [(v) permit each voter to scratch vote;]
             517          [(vi)] (iv) at elections other than primary elections, permit each voter to vote for the
             518      nominees of one or more parties and for independent candidates;
             519          [(vii)] (v) at primary elections:
             520          (A) permit each voter to vote for candidates of the political party of his choice; and
             521          (B) reject any votes cast for candidates of another party;
             522          [(viii)] (vi) prevent the voter from voting for the same person more than once for the
             523      same office;


             524          [(ix)] (vii) provide the opportunity for each voter to change the ballot and to correct
             525      any error before the voter casts the ballot in compliance with the Help America Vote Act of
             526      2002, Pub. L. No. 107-252;
             527          [(x)] (viii) include automatic tabulating equipment that rejects choices recorded on a
             528      voter's ballot if the number of the voter's recorded choices is greater than the number which the
             529      voter is entitled to vote for the office or on the measure;
             530          [(xi)] (ix) be of durable construction, suitably designed so that it may be used safely,
             531      efficiently, and accurately in the conduct of elections and counting ballots;
             532          [(xii)] (x) when properly operated, record correctly, and count accurately each vote
             533      cast;
             534          [(xiii)] (xi) for voting equipment certified after January 1, 2005, produce a permanent
             535      paper record that:
             536          (A) shall be available as an official record for any recount or election contest
             537      conducted with respect to an election where the voting equipment is used;
             538          (B) (I) shall be available for the voter's inspection prior to the voter leaving the polling
             539      place; and
             540          (II) shall permit the voter to inspect the record of the voter's selections independently
             541      only if reasonably practicable commercial methods permitting independent inspection are
             542      available at the time of certification of the voting equipment by the lieutenant governor;
             543          (C) shall include, at a minimum, human readable printing that shows a record of the
             544      voter's selections;
             545          (D) may also include machine readable printing which may be the same as the human
             546      readable printing; and
             547          (E) allows voting poll watchers and counting poll watchers to observe the election
             548      process to ensure its integrity; and
             549          [(xiv)] (xii) meet the requirements of Section 20A-5-402.5 .
             550          (b) For the purposes of a recount or an election contest, if the permanent paper record
             551      contains a conflict or inconsistency between the human readable printing and the machine
             552      readable printing, the human readable printing shall supercede the machine readable printing
             553      when determining the intent of the voter.
             554          (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the election officers shall


             555      ensure that the ballots to be counted by means of electronic or electromechanical devices are of
             556      a size, layout, texture, and printed in a type of ink or combination of inks that will be suitable
             557      for use in the counting devices in which they are intended to be placed.
             558          Section 6. Section 20A-6-301 is amended to read:
             559           20A-6-301. Paper ballots -- Regular general election.
             560          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             561          (a) all paper ballots furnished for use at the regular general election contain no captions
             562      or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
             563          (b) (i) the paper ballot contains a ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across the
             564      top of the ballot, and divided from the rest of ballot by a perforated line;
             565          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             566      stub; and
             567          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             568          (c) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             569      printed in 18 point bold type:
             570          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ County, Utah";
             571          (ii) the date of the election; and
             572          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the county clerk and the words "county clerk";
             573          (d) each ticket is placed in a separate column on the ballot in the order specified under
             574      Section 20A-6-305 with the party emblem, followed by the party name, at the head of the
             575      column;
             576          (e) the party name or title is printed in capital letters not less than one-fourth of an inch
             577      high;
             578          [(f) a circle one-half inch in diameter is printed immediately below the party name or
             579      title, and the top of the circle is placed not less than two inches below the perforated line;]
             580          [(g)] (f) unaffiliated candidates and candidates not affiliated with a registered political
             581      party are listed in one column in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305 [, without a party
             582      circle,] with the following instructions printed at the head of the column: "All candidates not
             583      affiliated with a political party are listed below. They are to be considered with all offices and
             584      candidates listed to the left. Only one vote is allowed for each office.";
             585          [(h)] (g) the columns containing the lists of candidates, including the party name and


             586      device, are separated by heavy parallel lines;
             587          [(i)] (h) the offices to be filled are plainly printed immediately above the names of the
             588      candidates for those offices;
             589          [(j)] (i) the names of candidates are printed in capital letters, not less than one-eighth
             590      nor more than one-fourth of an inch high in heavy-faced type not smaller than 10 point,
             591      between lines or rules three-eighths of an inch apart;
             592          [(k)] (j) a square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an inch in length is
             593      printed immediately adjacent to the name of each candidate;
             594          [(l)] (k) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant
             595      governor, one square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an inch in length is
             596      printed on the same side as but opposite a double bracket enclosing the names of the two
             597      candidates;
             598          [(m)] (l) immediately adjacent to the unaffiliated ticket on the ballot, the ballot
             599      contains a write-in column long enough to contain as many written names of candidates as
             600      there are persons to be elected with:
             601          (i) for each office on the ballot, the office to be filled plainly printed immediately
             602      above:
             603          (A) a blank, horizontal line to enable the entry of a valid write-in candidate and a
             604      square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an inch in length printed immediately
             605      adjacent to the blank horizontal line; or
             606          (B) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant
             607      governor, two blank horizontal lines, one placed above the other, to enable the entry of two
             608      valid write-in candidates, and one square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an
             609      inch in length printed on the same side as but opposite a double bracket enclosing the two
             610      blank horizontal lines; and
             611          (ii) the words "Write-In Voting Column" printed at the head of the column [without a
             612      one-half inch circle];
             613          [(n)] (m) when required, the ballot includes a nonpartisan ticket placed immediately
             614      adjacent to the write-in ticket with the word "NONPARTISAN" in reverse type in an 18 point
             615      solid rule running vertically the full length of the nonpartisan ballot copy; and
             616          [(o)] (n) constitutional amendments or other questions submitted to the vote of the


             617      people, are printed on the ballot after the list of candidates.
             618          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             619          (a) each person nominated by any political party or group of petitioners is placed on the
             620      ballot:
             621          (i) under the party name and emblem, if any; or
             622          (ii) under the title of the party or group as designated by them in their certificates of
             623      nomination or petition, or, if none is designated, then under some suitable title;
             624          (b) the names of all unaffiliated candidates that qualify as required in Title 20A,
             625      Chapter 9, Part 5, Candidates not Affiliated with a Party, are placed on the ballot;
             626          (c) the names of the candidates for president and vice president are used on the ballot
             627      instead of the names of the presidential electors; and
             628          (d) the ballots contain no other names.
             629          (3) When the ballot contains a nonpartisan section, the election officer shall ensure
             630      that:
             631          (a) the designation of the office to be filled in the election and the number of
             632      candidates to be elected are printed in type not smaller than eight point;
             633          (b) the words designating the office are printed flush with the left-hand margin;
             634          (c) the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of candidates for
             635      which the voter may vote)" extend to the extreme right of the column;
             636          (d) the nonpartisan candidates are grouped according to the office for which they are
             637      candidates;
             638          (e) the names in each group are placed in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305
             639      with the surnames last; and
             640          (f) each group is preceded by the designation of the office for which the candidates
             641      seek election, and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of
             642      candidates for which the voter may vote)," according to the number to be elected.
             643          (4) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             644          (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed on the ballot in
             645      accordance with Section 20A-6-107 ;
             646          (b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are listed on the ballot in accordance
             647      with Section 20A-6-107 ; and


             648          (c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
             649      title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             650          Section 7. Section 20A-6-303 is amended to read:
             651           20A-6-303. Regular general election -- Ballot sheets.
             652          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             653          (a) copy on the ballot sheets or ballot labels, as applicable, are arranged in
             654      approximately the same order as paper ballots;
             655          (b) the titles of offices and the names of candidates are printed in vertical columns or in
             656      a series of separate pages;
             657          (c) the ballot sheet or any pages used for the ballot label are of sufficient number to
             658      include, after the list of candidates:
             659          (i) the names of candidates for judicial offices and any other nonpartisan offices; and
             660          (ii) any ballot propositions submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection;
             661          [(d) (i) a voting square or position is included where the voter may record a straight
             662      party ticket vote for all the candidates of one party by one mark or punch; and]
             663          [(ii) the name of each political party listed in the straight party selection area includes
             664      the word "party" at the end of the party's name;]
             665          [(e)] (d) the tickets are printed in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305 ;
             666          [(f)] (e) the office titles are printed immediately adjacent to the names of candidates so
             667      as to indicate clearly the candidates for each office and the number to be elected;
             668          [(g)] (f) the party designation of each candidate is printed immediately adjacent to the
             669      candidate's name; and
             670          [(h)] (g) (i) if possible, all candidates for one office are grouped in one column or upon
             671      one page;
             672          (ii) if all candidates for one office cannot be listed in one column or grouped on one
             673      page:
             674          (A) the ballot sheet or ballot label shall be clearly marked to indicate that the list of
             675      candidates is continued on the following column or page; and
             676          (B) approximately the same number of names shall be printed in each column or on
             677      each page.
             678          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:


             679          (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed in accordance with
             680      Section 20A-6-107 ;
             681          (b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are listed in accordance with Section
             682      20A-6-107 ; and
             683          (c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed under the title
             684      assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             685          Section 8. Section 20A-6-304 is amended to read:
             686           20A-6-304. Regular general election -- Electronic ballots.
             687          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             688          (a) the format and content of the electronic ballot is arranged in approximately the
             689      same order as paper ballots;
             690          (b) the titles of offices and the names of candidates are displayed in vertical columns or
             691      in a series of separate display screens;
             692          (c) the electronic ballot is of sufficient length to include, after the list of candidates:
             693          (i) the names of candidates for judicial offices and any other nonpartisan offices; and
             694          (ii) any ballot propositions submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection;
             695          [(d) (i) a voting square or position is included where the voter may record a straight
             696      party ticket vote for all the candidates of one party by making a single selection; and]
             697          [(ii) the name of each political party listed in the straight party selection area includes
             698      the word "party" at the end of the party's name;]
             699          [(e)] (d) the tickets are displayed in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305 ;
             700          [(f)] (e) the office titles are displayed above or at the side of the names of candidates so
             701      as to indicate clearly the candidates for each office and the number to be elected;
             702          [(g)] (f) the party designation of each candidate is displayed adjacent to the candidate's
             703      name; and
             704          [(h)] (g) if possible, all candidates for one office are grouped in one column or upon
             705      one display screen.
             706          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             707          (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are displayed in accordance with
             708      Section 20A-6-107 ;
             709          (b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are displayed in accordance with Section


             710      20A-6-107 ; and
             711          (c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are displayed under the title
             712      assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             713          Section 9. Section 20A-6-305 is amended to read:
             714           20A-6-305. Master ballot position list -- Random selection -- Procedures --
             715      Publication -- Surname -- Exemptions.
             716          (1) As used in this section, "master ballot position list" means an official list of the 26
             717      characters in the alphabet listed in random order and numbered from one to 26 as provided
             718      under Subsection (2).
             719          (2) The lieutenant governor shall:
             720          (a) at the beginning of each general election year conduct a random selection to
             721      establish the master ballot position list for the current year and the next year in accordance with
             722      procedures established under Subsection (2)(c);
             723          (b) publish the master ballot position lists on the lieutenant governor's election website
             724      on or before February 1 in each regular general election year; and
             725          (c) establish written procedures for:
             726          (i) the election official to use the master ballot position list; and
             727          (ii) the lieutenant governor in:
             728          (A) conducting the random selection in a fair manner; and
             729          (B) providing a record of the random selection process used.
             730          (3) In accordance with the written procedures established under Subsection (2)(c)(i), an
             731      election officer shall use the master ballot position list for the current year to determine the
             732      order in which to list candidates on the ballot for an election held during the year.
             733          (4) To determine the order in which to list candidates on the ballot required under
             734      Subsection (3), the election officer shall apply the randomized alphabet using:
             735          (a) the candidate's surname;
             736          (b) for candidates with a surname that has the same spelling, the candidate's given
             737      name; and
             738          (c) the surname of the president and the surname of the governor for an election for the
             739      offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant governor[; and].
             740          [(d) if the ballot provides for a ticket or a straight party ticket, the registered political


             741      party name.]
             742          (5) This section does not apply to:
             743          (a) an election for an office for which only one candidate is listed on the ballot; or
             744          (b) a judicial retention election under Section 20A-12-201 .




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-17-12 1:43 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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