H.B. 156

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 5, 2014 at 12:27 PM by bbryner. -->              1     

ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION PILOT PROJECT

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Rebecca Chavez-Houck

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Deidre M. Henderson

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions of the Election Code by establishing a pilot project to test
             10      the advisability of implementing election day voter registration in Utah.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    establishes the Election Day Voter Registration Pilot Project;
             14          .    provides that a county or municipality may apply to participate in the pilot project to
             15      test whether it is advisable to implement election day voter registration in Utah;
             16          .    establishes requirements and an approval process for a county or municipality to
             17      participate in the pilot project;
             18          .    enacts provisions implementing election day voter registration for a county or
             19      municipality that participates in the pilot project;
             20          .    requires the lieutenant governor and each county and municipality that participate in
             21      the pilot project to report on the pilot project to the Government Operations Interim
             22      Committee and the Legislative Management Committee;
             23          .    requires the Government Operations Interim Committee to, during the 2016 interim,
             24      study and make a recommendation to the Legislature regarding whether to
             25      implement statewide election day voter registration on a statewide, permanent basis;
             26          .    repeals the provisions of this bill, subject to sunset review, on January 1, 2017; and
             27          .    makes technical and conforming changes.


             28      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             29          None
             30      Other Special Clauses:
             31          None
             32      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             33      AMENDS:
             34           20A-1-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 320
             35           20A-2-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 34
             36           20A-2-102.5 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 17, 297, and 327
             37           20A-2-201 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 225 and 276
             38           20A-2-202 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 45
             39           20A-2-204 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapters 264 and 326
             40           20A-2-205 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 251
             41           20A-2-206 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 17
             42           20A-2-307 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 34
             43           20A-4-107 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 390
             44           63I-1-220 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             45      ENACTS:
             46           20A-4-108 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47     
             48      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             49          Section 1. Section 20A-1-102 is amended to read:
             50           20A-1-102. Definitions.
             51          As used in this title:
             52          (1) "Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive
             53      voter by the county clerk.
             54          (2) "Automatic tabulating equipment" means apparatus that automatically examines
             55      and counts votes recorded on paper ballots or ballot sheets and tabulates the results.
             56          (3) (a) "Ballot" means the storage medium, whether paper, mechanical, or electronic,
             57      upon which a voter records the voter's votes.
             58          (b) "Ballot" includes ballot sheets, paper ballots, electronic ballots, and secrecy


             59      envelopes.
             60          [(5)] (4) "Ballot label" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages, or other materials that:
             61          (a) contain the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to
             62      be voted on; and
             63          (b) are used in conjunction with ballot sheets that do not display that information.
             64          [(6)] (5) "Ballot proposition" means a question, issue, or proposal that is submitted to
             65      voters on the ballot for their approval or rejection including:
             66          (a) an opinion question specifically authorized by the Legislature;
             67          (b) a constitutional amendment;
             68          (c) an initiative;
             69          (d) a referendum;
             70          (e) a bond proposition;
             71          (f) a judicial retention question;
             72          (g) an incorporation of a city or town; or
             73          (h) any other ballot question specifically authorized by the Legislature.
             74          [(4)] (6) "Ballot sheet":
             75          (a) means a ballot that:
             76          (i) consists of paper or a card where the voter's votes are marked or recorded; and
             77          (ii) can be counted using automatic tabulating equipment; and
             78          (b) includes punch card ballots and other ballots that are machine-countable.
             79          (7) "Bind," "binding," or "bound" means securing more than one piece of paper
             80      together with a staple or stitch in at least three places across the top of the paper in the blank
             81      space reserved for securing the paper.
             82          (8) "Board of canvassers" means the entities established by Sections 20A-4-301 and
             83      20A-4-306 to canvass election returns.
             84          (9) "Bond election" means an election held for the purpose of approving or rejecting
             85      the proposed issuance of bonds by a government entity.
             86          (10) "Book voter registration form" means voter registration forms contained in a
             87      bound book that are used by election officers and registration agents to register persons to vote.
             88          (11) "Business reply mail envelope" means an envelope that may be mailed free of
             89      charge by the sender.


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


             121      Subsection 20A-1-206 (1)(c)(ii); or
             122          (c) a person who is considered to be elected to a local district office in accordance with
             123      Subsection 20A-1-206 (3)(c)(ii).
             124          (24) "Election" means a regular general election, a municipal general election, a
             125      statewide special election, a local special election, a regular primary election, a municipal
             126      primary election, and a local district election.
             127          (25) "Election Assistance Commission" means the commission established by Public
             128      Law 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
             129          (26) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day persons are eligible to
             130      file declarations of candidacy and ending when the canvass is completed.
             131          (27) "Election judge" means a poll worker that is assigned to:
             132          (a) preside over other poll workers at a polling place;
             133          (b) act as the presiding election judge; or
             134          (c) serve as a canvassing judge, counting judge, or receiving judge.
             135          (28) "Election officer" means:
             136          (a) the lieutenant governor, for all statewide ballots and elections;
             137          (b) the county clerk for:
             138          (i) a county 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 ;
             141          (c) the municipal clerk for:
             142          (i) a municipal 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          (d) the local district clerk or chief executive officer for:
             146          (i) a local district ballot and election; and
             147          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section
             148      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 ; or
             149          (e) the business administrator or superintendent of a school district for:
             150          (i) a school district ballot and election; and
             151          (ii) a ballot and election as a provider election officer as provided in Section


             152      20A-5-400.1 or 20A-5-400.5 .
             153          (29) "Election official" means any election officer, election judge, or poll worker.
             154          (30) "Election results" means:
             155          (a) for an election other than a bond election, the count of votes cast in the election and
             156      the election returns requested by the board of canvassers; or
             157          (b) for bond elections, the count of those votes cast for and against the bond
             158      proposition plus any or all of the election returns that the board of canvassers may request.
             159          (31) "Election returns" includes the pollbook, the military and overseas absentee voter
             160      registration and voting certificates, one of the tally sheets, any unprocessed absentee ballots, all
             161      counted ballots, all excess ballots, all unused ballots, all spoiled ballots, the ballot disposition
             162      form, and the total votes cast form.
             163          (32) "Electronic ballot" means a ballot that is recorded using a direct electronic voting
             164      device or other voting device that records and stores ballot information by electronic means.
             165          (33) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to
             166      or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign
             167      the record.
             168          (34) (a) "Electronic voting device" means a voting device that uses electronic ballots.
             169          (b) "Electronic voting device" includes a direct recording electronic voting device.
             170          (35) "Inactive voter" means a registered voter who has:
             171          (a) been sent the notice required by Section 20A-2-306 ; and
             172          (b) failed to respond to that notice.
             173          (36) "Inspecting poll watcher" means a person selected as provided in this title to
             174      witness the receipt and safe deposit of voted and counted ballots.
             175          (37) "Judicial office" means the office filled by any judicial officer.
             176          (38) "Judicial officer" means any justice or judge of a court of record or any county
             177      court judge.
             178          (39) "Local district" means a local government entity under Title 17B, Limited Purpose
             179      Local Government Entities - Local Districts, and includes a special service district under Title
             180      17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.
             181          (40) "Local district officers" means those local district officers that are required by law
             182      to be elected.


             183          (41) "Local election" means a regular municipal election, a local special election, a
             184      local district election, and a bond election.
             185          (42) "Local political subdivision" means a county, a municipality, a local district, or a
             186      local school district.
             187          (43) "Local special election" means a special election called by the governing body of a
             188      local political subdivision in which all registered voters of the local political subdivision may
             189      vote.
             190          (44) "Municipal executive" means:
             191          (a) the mayor in the council-mayor form of government defined in Section 10-3b-102 ;
             192      or
             193          (b) the mayor in the council-manager form of government defined in Subsection
             194      10-3b-103 (6).
             195          (45) "Municipal general election" means the election held in municipalities and local
             196      districts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year
             197      for the purposes established in Section 20A-1-202 .
             198          (46) "Municipal legislative body" means the council of the city or town in any form of
             199      municipal government.
             200          (47) "Municipal office" means an elective office in a municipality.
             201          (48) "Municipal officers" means those municipal officers that are required by law to be
             202      elected.
             203          (49) "Municipal primary election" means an election held to nominate candidates for
             204      municipal office.
             205          (50) "Official ballot" means the ballots distributed by the election officer to the poll
             206      workers to be given to voters to record their votes.
             207          (51) "Official endorsement" means:
             208          (a) the information on the ballot that identifies:
             209          (i) the ballot as an official ballot;
             210          (ii) the date of the election; and
             211          (iii) the facsimile signature of the election officer; and
             212          (b) the information on the ballot stub that identifies:
             213          (i) the poll worker's initials; and


             214          (ii) the ballot number.
             215          (52) "Official register" means the official record furnished to election officials by the
             216      election officer that contains the information required by Section 20A-5-401 .
             217          (53) "Paper ballot" means a paper that contains:
             218          (a) the names of offices and candidates and statements of ballot propositions to be
             219      voted on; and
             220          (b) spaces for the voter to record the voter's vote for each office and for or against each
             221      ballot proposition.
             222          (54) "Pilot project" means the election day voter registration pilot project created in
             223      Section 20A-4-108 .
             224          [(54)] (55) "Political party" means an organization of registered voters that has
             225      qualified to participate in an election by meeting the requirements of Chapter 8, Political Party
             226      Formation and Procedures.
             227          (56) "Pollbook" means a record of the names of voters in the order that they appear to
             228      cast votes.
             229          (57) "Polling place" means the building where voting is conducted.
             230          [(55)] (58) (a) "Poll worker" means a person assigned by an election official to assist
             231      with an election, voting, or counting votes.
             232          (b) "Poll worker" includes election judges.
             233          (c) "Poll worker" does not include a watcher.
             234          [(58)] (59) "Position" means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a
             235      ballot in which the voter marks the voter's choice.
             236          [(62)] (60) "Primary convention" means the political party conventions at which
             237      nominees for the regular primary election are selected.
             238          [(63)] (61) "Protective counter" means a separate counter, which cannot be reset, that:
             239          (a) is built into a voting machine; and
             240          (b) records the total number of movements of the operating lever.
             241          [(59)] (62) "Provider election officer" means an election officer who enters into a
             242      contract or interlocal agreement with a contracting election officer to conduct an election for
             243      the contracting election officer's local political subdivision in accordance with Section
             244      20A-5-400.1 .


             245          [(60)] (63) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot voted provisionally by a person:
             246          (a) whose name is not listed on the official register at the polling place;
             247          (b) whose legal right to vote is challenged as provided in this title; or
             248          (c) whose identity was not sufficiently established by a poll worker.
             249          [(61)] (64) "Provisional ballot envelope" means an envelope printed in the form
             250      required by Section 20A-6-105 that is used to identify provisional ballots and to provide
             251      information to verify a person's legal right to vote.
             252          [(64)] (65) "Qualify" or "qualified" means to take the oath of office and begin
             253      performing the duties of the position for which the person was elected.
             254          [(65)] (66) "Receiving judge" means the poll worker that checks the voter's name in the
             255      official register, provides the voter with a ballot, and removes the ballot stub from the ballot
             256      after the voter has voted.
             257          [(66)] (67) "Registration form" means a book voter registration form and a by-mail
             258      voter registration form.
             259          [(67)] (68) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is not a provisional ballot.
             260          [(68)] (69) "Regular general election" means the election held throughout the state on
             261      the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year for the
             262      purposes established in Section 20A-1-201 .
             263          [(69)] (70) "Regular primary election" means the election on the fourth Tuesday of
             264      June of each even-numbered year, to nominate candidates of political parties and nonpolitical
             265      groups to advance to the regular general election.
             266          [(70)] (71) "Resident" means a person who resides within a specific voting precinct in
             267      Utah.
             268          [(71)] (72) "Sample ballot" means a mock ballot similar in form to the official ballot
             269      printed and distributed as provided in Section 20A-5-405 .
             270          [(72)] (73) "Scratch vote" means to mark or punch the straight party ticket and then
             271      mark or punch the ballot for one or more candidates who are members of different political
             272      parties.
             273          [(73)] (74) "Secrecy envelope" means the envelope given to a voter along with the
             274      ballot into which the voter places the ballot after the voter has voted it in order to preserve the
             275      secrecy of the voter's vote.


             276          [(74)] (75) "Special election" means an election held as authorized by Section
             277      20A-1-203 .
             278          [(75)] (76) "Spoiled ballot" means each ballot that:
             279          (a) is spoiled by the voter;
             280          (b) is unable to be voted because it was spoiled by the printer or a poll worker; or
             281          (c) lacks the official endorsement.
             282          [(76)] (77) "Statewide special election" means a special election called by the governor
             283      or the Legislature in which all registered voters in Utah may vote.
             284          [(77)] (78) "Stub" means the detachable part of each ballot.
             285          [(78)] (79) "Substitute ballots" means replacement ballots provided by an election
             286      officer to the poll workers when the official ballots are lost or stolen.
             287          [(79)] (80) "Ticket" means each list of candidates for each political party or for each
             288      group of petitioners.
             289          [(80)] (81) "Transfer case" means the sealed box used to transport voted ballots to the
             290      counting center.
             291          [(81)] (82) "Vacancy" means the absence of a person to serve in any position created
             292      by statute, whether that absence occurs because of death, disability, disqualification,
             293      resignation, or other cause.
             294          [(82)] (83) "Valid voter identification" means:
             295          (a) a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may
             296      include:
             297          (i) a currently valid Utah driver license;
             298          (ii) a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
             299          (A) the state; or
             300          (B) a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
             301          (iii) a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
             302          (iv) a currently valid United States passport; or
             303          (v) a currently valid United States military identification card;
             304          (b) one of the following identification cards, whether or not the card includes a
             305      photograph of the voter:
             306          (i) a valid tribal identification card;


             307          (ii) a Bureau of Indian Affairs card; or
             308          (iii) a tribal treaty card; or
             309          (c) two forms of identification not listed under Subsection [(82)] (83)(a) or (b) but that
             310      bear the name of the voter and provide evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct,
             311      which may include:
             312          (i) a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof, dated within the 90 days before the
             313      election;
             314          (ii) a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
             315          (iii) a certified birth certificate;
             316          (iv) a valid Social Security card;
             317          (v) a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
             318          (vi) a paycheck from the voter's employer, or a legible copy thereof;
             319          (vii) a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
             320          (viii) certified naturalization documentation;
             321          (ix) a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;
             322          (x) a certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change;
             323          (xi) a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card;
             324          (xii) a currently valid identification card issued by:
             325          (A) a local government within the state;
             326          (B) an employer for an employee; or
             327          (C) a college, university, technical school, or professional school located within the
             328      state; or
             329          (xiii) a current Utah vehicle registration.
             330          [(83)] (84) "Valid write-in candidate" means a candidate who has qualified as a
             331      write-in candidate by following the procedures and requirements of this title.
             332          [(84)] (85) "Voter" means a person who:
             333          (a) meets the requirements for voting in an election;
             334          (b) meets the requirements of election registration;
             335          (c) is registered to vote; and
             336          (d) is listed in the official register book.
             337          [(85)] (86) "Voter registration deadline" means the registration deadline provided in


             338      Section 20A-2-102.5 .
             339          [(86)] (87) "Voting area" means the area within six feet of the voting booths, voting
             340      machines, and ballot box.
             341          [(87)] (88) "Voting booth" means:
             342          (a) the space or compartment within a polling place that is provided for the preparation
             343      of ballots, including the voting machine enclosure or curtain; or
             344          (b) a voting device that is free standing.
             345          [(88)] (89) "Voting device" means:
             346          (a) an apparatus in which ballot sheets are used in connection with a punch device for
             347      piercing the ballots by the voter;
             348          (b) a device for marking the ballots with ink or another substance;
             349          (c) an electronic voting device or other device used to make selections and cast a ballot
             350      electronically, or any component thereof;
             351          (d) an automated voting system under Section 20A-5-302 ; or
             352          (e) any other method for recording votes on ballots so that the ballot may be tabulated
             353      by means of automatic tabulating equipment.
             354          [(89)] (90) "Voting machine" means a machine designed for the sole purpose of
             355      recording and tabulating votes cast by voters at an election.
             356          [(90)] (91) "Voting poll watcher" means a person appointed as provided in this title to
             357      witness the distribution of ballots and the voting process.
             358          [(91)] (92) "Voting precinct" means the smallest voting unit established as provided by
             359      law within which qualified voters vote at one polling place.
             360          [(92)] (93) "Watcher" means a voting poll watcher, a counting poll watcher, an
             361      inspecting poll watcher, and a testing watcher.
             362          [(93)] (94) "Western States Presidential Primary" means the election established in
             363      Chapter 9, Part 8, Western States Presidential Primary.
             364          [(94)] (95) "Write-in ballot" means a ballot containing any write-in votes.
             365          [(95)] (96) "Write-in vote" means a vote cast for a person whose name is not printed on
             366      the ballot according to the procedures established in this title.
             367          Section 2. Section 20A-2-102 is amended to read:
             368           20A-2-102. Registration a prerequisite to voting.


             369          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a person may not vote at any election unless
             370      that person is registered to vote as required by this chapter.
             371          (2) A person may vote a provisional ballot for an election as provided in Section
             372      20A-2-307 [for:].
             373          [(a) a regular general election;]
             374          [(b) a regular primary election; or]
             375          [(c) an election for federal office.]
             376          Section 3. Section 20A-2-102.5 is amended to read:
             377           20A-2-102.5. Voter registration deadline.
             378          (1) Except as provided in [Sections] Section 20A-2-201 [and], 20A-2-206 [and], or
             379      20A-4-108 , or Chapter 16, Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act, a person who fails to
             380      submit a correctly completed voter registration form on or before the voter registration deadline
             381      may not be permitted to vote in the election.
             382          (2) The voter registration deadline shall be the date that is 30 calendar days before the
             383      date of the election.
             384          Section 4. Section 20A-2-201 is amended to read:
             385           20A-2-201. Registering to vote at office of county clerk.
             386          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), the county clerk shall register to vote all
             387      persons who present themselves for registration at the county clerk's office during designated
             388      office hours if those persons, on the date of the election, will be legally eligible to vote in a
             389      voting precinct in the county in accordance with Section 20A-2-101 .
             390          (2) If a registration form is submitted in person at the office of the county clerk during
             391      the period beginning on the date after the voter registration deadline and ending on the date that
             392      is 15 calendar days before the date of the election, the county clerk shall:
             393          (a) accept registration forms from all persons who present themselves for registration at
             394      the clerk's office during designated office hours if those persons, on the date of the election,
             395      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the county; and
             396          (b) inform them that:
             397          (i) they will be registered to vote in the pending election; and
             398          (ii) for the pending election, they must vote on the day of the election and will not be
             399      eligible to vote using early voting under Chapter 3, Part 6, Early Voting, because they


             400      registered too late.
             401          (3) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (5), if a registration form is
             402      submitted to the county clerk on the date of the election or during the 14 calendar days before
             403      an election, the county clerk shall:
             404          (a) accept registration forms from all persons who present themselves for registration at
             405      the clerk's office during designated office hours if those persons, on the date of the election,
             406      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the county; and
             407          (b) inform them that they will be registered to vote but may not vote in the pending
             408      election because they registered too late.
             409          Section 5. Section 20A-2-202 is amended to read:
             410           20A-2-202. Registration by mail.
             411          (1) (a) A citizen who will be qualified to vote at the next election may register by mail.
             412          (b) To register by mail, a citizen shall complete and sign the by-mail registration form
             413      and mail or deliver it to the county clerk of the county in which the citizen resides.
             414          (c) In order to register to vote in a particular election, the citizen shall:
             415          (i) address the by-mail voter registration form to the county clerk; and
             416          (ii) ensure that it is postmarked on or before the voter registration deadline.
             417          (d) The citizen has effectively registered to vote under this section only when the
             418      county clerk's office has received a correctly completed by-mail voter registration form.
             419          (2) Upon receipt of a correctly completed by-mail voter registration form, the county
             420      clerk shall:
             421          (a) enter the applicant's name on the list of registered voters for the voting precinct in
             422      which the applicant resides; and
             423          (b) mail confirmation of registration to the newly registered voter after entering the
             424      applicant's voting precinct number on that copy.
             425          (3) (a) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (6), if the county clerk receives
             426      a correctly completed by-mail voter registration form that is postmarked after the voter
             427      registration deadline, the county clerk shall:
             428          (i) register the applicant after the next election; and
             429          (ii) if possible, promptly phone or mail a notice to the applicant before the election,
             430      informing the applicant that his registration will not be effective until after the election.


             431          (b) When the county clerk receives a correctly completed by-mail voter registration
             432      form at least seven days before an election that is postmarked on or before the date of the voter
             433      registration deadline, the county clerk shall:
             434          (i) process the by-mail voter registration form; and
             435          (ii) record the new voter in the official register.
             436          (4) If the county clerk determines that a registration form received by mail or otherwise
             437      is incorrect because of an error or because it is incomplete, the county clerk shall mail notice to
             438      the person attempting to register, [informing him that he] stating that the person has not been
             439      registered because of an error or because the form is incomplete.
             440          Section 6. Section 20A-2-204 is amended to read:
             441           20A-2-204. Registering to vote when applying for or renewing a driver license.
             442          (1) As used in this section, "voter registration form" means the driver license
             443      application/voter registration form and the driver license renewal/voter registration form
             444      required by Section 20A-2-108 .
             445          (2) Any citizen who is qualified to vote may register to vote by completing the voter
             446      registration form.
             447          (3) The Driver License Division shall:
             448          (a) assist applicants in completing the voter registration form unless the applicant
             449      refuses assistance;
             450          (b) accept completed forms for transmittal to the appropriate election official;
             451          (c) transmit a copy of each voter registration form to the appropriate election official
             452      within five days after it is received by the division;
             453          (d) transmit each address change within five days after it is received by the division;
             454      and
             455          (e) transmit electronically to the lieutenant governor's office the name, address, birth
             456      date, and driver license number of each person who answers "yes" to the question on the driver
             457      license form about registering to vote.
             458          (4) Upon receipt of a correctly completed voter registration form, the county clerk
             459      shall:
             460          (a) enter the applicant's name on the list of registered voters for the voting precinct in
             461      which the applicant resides; and


             462          (b) notify the applicant of registration.
             463          (5) (a) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (7), if the county clerk receives
             464      a correctly completed voter registration form that is dated after the voter registration deadline,
             465      the county clerk shall:
             466          (i) register the applicant after the next election; and
             467          (ii) if possible, promptly phone or mail a notice to the applicant before the election,
             468      informing the applicant that his registration will not be effective until after the election.
             469          (b) When the county clerk receives a correctly completed voter registration form at
             470      least seven days before an election that is dated on or before the voter registration deadline, the
             471      county clerk shall:
             472          (i) process the voter registration form; and
             473          (ii) record the new voter in the official register.
             474          (6) If the county clerk determines that a voter registration form received from the
             475      Driver License Division is incorrect because of an error or because it is incomplete, the county
             476      clerk shall mail notice to the person attempting to register, [informing him that he] stating that
             477      the person has not been registered because of an error or because the form is incomplete.
             478          Section 7. Section 20A-2-205 is amended to read:
             479           20A-2-205. Registration at voter registration agencies.
             480          (1) As used in this section:
             481          (a) "Discretionary voter registration agency" means each office designated by the
             482      county clerk under Part 3, County Clerk's Voter Registration Responsibilities, to provide
             483      by-mail voter registration forms to the public.
             484          (b) "Public assistance agency" means each office in Utah that provides:
             485          (i) public assistance; or
             486          (ii) state funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to people with
             487      disabilities.
             488          (2) Any person may obtain and complete a by-mail registration form at a public
             489      assistance agency or discretionary voter registration agency.
             490          (3) Each public assistance agency and discretionary voter registration agency shall
             491      provide, either as part of existing forms or on a separate form, the following information in
             492      substantially the following form:


             493          "REGISTERING TO VOTE
             494          If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register
             495      to vote here today? (Applying to register to vote or declining to register to vote will not affect
             496      the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency.) Yes____ No____ IF YOU
             497      DO NOT CHECK EITHER BOX, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE DECIDED
             498      NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS TIME. If you would like help in filling out the
             499      voter registration application form, we will help you. The decision about whether or not to
             500      seek or accept help is yours. You may fill out the application form in private. If you believe
             501      that someone has interfered with your right to register or to decline to register to vote, your
             502      right to privacy in deciding whether or not to register, or in applying to register to vote, or your
             503      right to choose your own political party or other political preference, you may file a complaint
             504      with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State Capitol Building, Salt Lake City, Utah
             505      84114. (The phone number of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor)."
             506          (4) Unless a person applying for service or assistance from a public assistance agency
             507      or discretionary voter registration agency declines, in writing, to register to vote, each public
             508      assistance agency and discretionary voter registration agency shall:
             509          (a) distribute a by-mail voter registration form with each application for service or
             510      assistance provided by the agency or office;
             511          (b) assist applicants in completing the voter registration form unless the applicant
             512      refuses assistance;
             513          (c) accept completed forms for transmittal to the appropriate election official; and
             514          (d) transmit a copy of each voter registration form to the appropriate election official
             515      within five days after it is received by the division.
             516          (5) A person in a public assistance agency or a discretionary voter registration agency
             517      that helps a person complete the voter registration form may not:
             518          (a) seek to influence an applicant's political preference or party registration;
             519          (b) display any political preference or party allegiance;
             520          (c) make any statement to an applicant or take any action that has the purpose or effect
             521      of discouraging the applicant from registering to vote; or
             522          (d) make any statement to an applicant or take any action that has the purpose or effect
             523      of leading the applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to register has any bearing


             524      upon the availability of services or benefits.
             525          (6) Upon receipt of a correctly completed voter registration form, the county clerk
             526      shall:
             527          (a) enter the applicant's name on the list of registered voters for the voting precinct in
             528      which the applicant resides; and
             529          (b) notify the applicant of registration.
             530          (7) (a) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (8), if the county clerk receives
             531      a correctly completed voter registration form that is dated after the voter registration deadline,
             532      the county clerk shall:
             533          (i) register the applicant after the next election; and
             534          (ii) if possible, promptly phone or mail a notice to the applicant before the election,
             535      informing the applicant that his registration will not be effective until after the election.
             536          (b) When the county clerk receives a correctly completed voter registration form at
             537      least seven days before an election that is dated on or before the voter registration deadline, the
             538      county clerk shall:
             539          (i) process the voter registration form; and
             540          (ii) record the new voter in the official register.
             541          (8) If the county clerk determines that a voter registration form received from a public
             542      assistance agency or discretionary voter registration agency is incorrect because of an error or
             543      because it is incomplete, the county clerk shall mail notice to the person attempting to register,
             544      [informing him that he] stating that the person has not been registered because of an error or
             545      because the form is incomplete.
             546          Section 8. Section 20A-2-206 is amended to read:
             547           20A-2-206. Electronic registration -- Requests for absentee ballot application.
             548          (1) The lieutenant governor may create and maintain an electronic system for voter
             549      registration and requesting an absentee ballot that is publicly available on the Internet.
             550          (2) An electronic system for voter registration shall require:
             551          (a) that an applicant have a valid driver license or identification card, issued under Title
             552      53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act, that reflects the person's current principal place of
             553      residence;
             554          (b) that the applicant provide the information required by Section 20A-2-104 , except


             555      that the applicant's signature may be obtained in the manner described in Subsections (2)(d)
             556      and (4);
             557          (c) that the applicant attest to the truth of the information provided; and
             558          (d) that the applicant authorize the lieutenant governor's and county clerk's use of the
             559      applicant's driver license or identification card signature, obtained under Title 53, Chapter 3,
             560      Uniform Driver License Act, for voter registration purposes.
             561          (3) Notwithstanding Section 20A-2-104 , an applicant using the electronic system for
             562      voter registration created under this section is not required to complete a printed registration
             563      form.
             564          (4) A system created and maintained under this section shall provide the notices
             565      concerning a voter's presentation of identification contained in Subsection 20A-2-104 (1).
             566          (5) The lieutenant governor shall obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver license
             567      or identification card signature from the Driver License Division.
             568          (6) Upon receiving all information from an applicant and the Driver License Division,
             569      the lieutenant governor shall send the information to the county clerk for the county in which
             570      the applicant's principal place of residence is found for further action as required by Section
             571      20A-2-304 .
             572          (7) The lieutenant governor may use additional security measures to ensure the
             573      accuracy and integrity of an electronically submitted voter registration.
             574          (8) (a) If an individual applies to register under this section during the period beginning
             575      on the date after the voter registration deadline and ending on the date that is 15 calendar days
             576      before the date of an election, the county clerk shall:
             577          (i) accept the application for registration if the individual, on the date of the election,
             578      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the state; and
             579          (ii) inform the individual that:
             580          (A) the individual is registered to vote in the pending election; and
             581          (B) for the pending election, the individual must vote on the day of the election and is
             582      not eligible to vote using early voting under Chapter 3, Part 6, Early Voting, because the
             583      individual registered too late.
             584          (b) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (9), if an individual applies to
             585      register under this section during the 14 calendar days before an election, the county clerk


             586      shall:
             587          (i) accept the application for registration if the individual, on the date of the election,
             588      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the state; and
             589          (ii) inform the individual that the individual is registered to vote but may not vote in
             590      the pending election because the individual registered too late.
             591          (9) (a) A registered voter may file an application for an absentee ballot in accordance
             592      with Section 20A-3-304 on the electronic system for voter registration established under this
             593      section.
             594          (b) The lieutenant governor shall provide a means by which a registered voter shall
             595      sign the application form as provided in Section 20A-3-304 .
             596          Section 9. Section 20A-2-307 is amended to read:
             597           20A-2-307. County clerks' instructions to election judges.
             598          (1) Each county clerk shall instruct election judges to allow a voter to vote a regular
             599      ballot if:
             600          (a) the voter has moved from one address within a voting precinct to another address
             601      within the same voting precinct; and
             602          (b) the voter affirms the change of address orally or in writing before the election
             603      judges.
             604          (2) Each county clerk shall instruct election judges to allow a person to vote a
             605      provisional ballot if:
             606          (a) the person registers to vote on election day, in accordance with the pilot project
             607      described in Section 20A-4-108 , by casting a provisional ballot in a municipality or county that
             608      is participating in the pilot project;
             609          [(a)] (b) the voter's name does not appear on the official register; or
             610          [(b)] (c) the voter is challenged as provided in Section 20A-3-202 .
             611          Section 10. Section 20A-4-107 is amended to read:
             612           20A-4-107. Review and disposition of provisional ballot envelopes.
             613          (1) As used in this section, a person is "legally entitled to vote" if:
             614          (a) the person:
             615          (i) is registered to vote in the state;
             616          (ii) votes the ballot for the voting precinct in which the person resides; and


             617          (iii) [provided] provides valid voter identification to the poll worker;
             618          (b) the person:
             619          (i) is registered to vote in the state;
             620          (ii) (A) provided valid voter identification to the poll worker; or
             621          (B) either failed to provide valid voter identification or the documents provided as
             622      valid voter identification were inadequate and the poll worker recorded that fact in the official
             623      register but the county clerk verifies the person's identity and residence through some other
             624      means; and
             625          (iii) did not vote in the person's precinct of residence, but the ballot that the person
             626      voted was from the person's county of residence and includes one or more candidates or ballot
             627      propositions on the ballot voted in the person's precinct of residence; or
             628          (c) the person:
             629          (i) is registered to vote in the state;
             630          (ii) either failed to provide valid voter identification or the documents provided as
             631      valid voter identification were inadequate and the poll worker recorded that fact in the official
             632      register; and
             633          (iii) (A) the county clerk verifies the person's identity and residence through some other
             634      means as reliable as photo identification; or
             635          (B) the person provides valid voter identification to the county clerk or an election
             636      officer who is administering the election by the close of normal office hours on Monday after
             637      the date of the election.
             638          (2) (a) Upon receipt of provisional ballot envelopes, the election officer shall review
             639      the affirmation on the face of each provisional ballot envelope and determine if the person
             640      signing the affirmation is:
             641          (i) registered to vote in this state; and
             642          (ii) legally entitled to vote:
             643          (A) the ballot that the person voted; or
             644          (B) if the ballot is from the person's county of residence, for at least one ballot
             645      proposition or candidate on the ballot that the person voted.
             646          (b) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (10), if the election officer
             647      determines that the person is not registered to vote in this state or is not legally entitled to vote


             648      in the county or for any of the ballot propositions or candidates on the ballot that the person
             649      voted, the election officer shall retain the ballot envelope, unopened, for the period specified in
             650      Section 20A-4-202 unless ordered by a court to produce or count it.
             651          (c) If the election officer determines that the person is registered to vote in this state
             652      and is legally entitled to vote in the county and for at least one of the ballot propositions or
             653      candidates on the ballot that the person voted, the election officer shall remove the ballot from
             654      the provisional ballot envelope and place the ballot with the absentee ballots to be counted with
             655      those ballots at the canvass.
             656          (d) The election officer may not count, or allow to be counted a provisional ballot
             657      unless the person's identity and residence is established by a preponderance of the evidence.
             658          (3) If the election officer determines that the person is registered to vote in this state, or
             659      if the voter is, in accordance with the pilot project, registered to vote under Subsection
             660      20A-4-108 (10), the election officer shall ensure that the voter registration records are updated
             661      to reflect the information provided on the provisional ballot envelope.
             662          (4) [If] Except as provided in Subsection 20A-4-108 (12), if the election officer
             663      determines that the person is not registered to vote in this state and the information on the
             664      provisional ballot envelope is complete, the election officer shall:
             665          (a) consider the provisional ballot envelope a voter registration form for the person's
             666      county of residence; and
             667          (b) (i) register the person if the voter's county of residence is within the county; or
             668          (ii) forward the voter registration form to the election officer of the person's county of
             669      residence, which election officer shall register the person.
             670          Section 11. Section 20A-4-108 is enacted to read:
             671          20A-4-108. Election day voter registration pilot project.
             672          (1) There is created, beginning on June 1, 2014, and ending on January 1, 2017, an
             673      election day voter registration pilot project, as described in this section.
             674          (2) A county may participate in the pilot project if the county clerk submits to the
             675      lieutenant governor a written application to participate in the pilot project that contains:
             676          (a) the name of the county;
             677          (b) a request that the county be permitted to participate in the pilot project;
             678          (c) an estimate of the extent to which election day voter registration may increase voter


             679      participation; and
             680          (d) any other reasons that the county desires to participate in the project.
             681          (3) A municipality may participate in the pilot project for a municipal election, if:
             682           H. [ a) (a county clerk conducts the election under contract with the municipality; and
             683          (b)
] .H
the municipal clerk H. [ and the county clerk described in Subsection (3)(a) submit ]
             683a      submits .H to
             684      the lieutenant governor a written application to participate in the pilot project that contains:
             685           H. [ (i) ] (a) .H the name of the municipality;
             686           H. [ (ii) ] (b) .H a request that the municipality be permitted to participate in the pilot
             686a      project;
             687           H. [ (iii) ] (c) .H an estimate of the extent to which election day voter registration may
             687a      increase
             688      voter participation; and
             689           H. [ (iv) ] (d) .H any other reasons that the municipality desires to participate in the project.
             690          (4) Within 10 business days after the day on which the lieutenant governor receives an
             691      application described in Subsection (2) or (3), the lieutenant governor shall approve the
             692      application if:
             693          (a) the application complies with the requirements described in Subsection (2) or (3),
             694      as applicable; and
             695          (b) the lieutenant governor determines, based on the information contained in the
             696      application, that implementing the pilot project in the county or municipality:
             697          (i) will yield valuable information to determine whether election day voter registration
             698      should be implemented on a permanent, statewide basis; and
             699          (ii) will not adversely affect the rights of voters or candidates.
             700          (5) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             701      participate in the pilot project, if, under Subsection 20A-2-201 (3), a registration form is
             702      submitted to the county clerk on the date of the election or during the 14 calendar days before
             703      an election, the county clerk shall:
             704          (a) if the person desires to vote in the pending election, inform the person that the
             705      person must, on election day, register to vote by casting a provisional ballot in accordance with
             706      Subsection (10); or
             707          (b) if the person does not desire to vote in the pending election:
             708          (i) accept a registration form from the person if, on the date of the election, the person
             709      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the county or municipality;



             710      and
             711          (ii) inform the person that the person will be registered to vote but may not vote in the
             712      pending election because the person registered too late and chose not to register and vote as
             713      described in Subsection (5)(a).
             714          (6) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             715      participate in the pilot project, if, under Subsection 20A-2-202 (3)(a), the county clerk receives
             716      a correctly completed by-mail voter registration form that is postmarked after the voter
             717      registration deadline, the county clerk shall:
             718          (a) unless the applicant registers on election day by casting a provisional ballot in
             719      accordance with Subsection (10), register the applicant for the next election; and
             720          (b) if possible, promptly phone, mail, or email a notice to the applicant before the
             721      election, informing the applicant that:
             722          (i) the applicant's registration will not be effective until after the election; and
             723          (ii) the applicant may register to vote on election day by casting a provisional ballot in
             724      accordance with Subsection (10).
             725          (7) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             726      participate in the pilot project, if, under Subsection 20A-2-204 (5)(a), the county clerk receives
             727      a correctly completed voter registration form that is dated after the voter registration deadline,
             728      the county clerk shall:
             729          (a) unless the applicant registers to vote on election day by casting a provisional ballot
             730      in accordance with Subsection (10), register the applicant after the next election; and
             731          (b) if possible, promptly phone, mail, or email a notice to the applicant before the
             732      election, informing the applicant that:
             733          (i) the applicant's registration will not be effective until after the election; and
             734          (ii) the applicant may register to vote on election day by casting a provisional ballot in
             735      accordance with Subsection (10).
             736          (8) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             737      participate in the pilot project, if, under Subsection 20A-2-205 (7)(a), the county clerk receives
             738      a correctly completed voter registration form that is dated after the voter registration deadline,
             739      the county clerk shall:
             740          (a) unless the applicant registers to vote on election day by casting a provisional ballot


             741      in accordance with Subsection (10), register the applicant after the next election; and
             742          (b) if possible, promptly phone, mail, or email a notice to the applicant before the
             743      election, informing the applicant that:
             744          (i) the applicant's registration will not be effective until after the election; and
             745          (ii) the applicant may register to vote on election day by casting a provisional ballot in
             746      accordance with Subsection (10).
             747          (9) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             748      participate in the pilot project, if, under Subsection 20A-2-206 (8)(b), an individual applies to
             749      register under this section during the 14 calendar days before an election, the county clerk
             750      shall:
             751          (a) if the individual desires to vote in the pending election, inform the individual that
             752      the individual must, on election day, register to vote by casting a provisional ballot in
             753      accordance with Subsection (10); or
             754          (b) if the individual does not desire to vote in the pending election:
             755          (i) accept the application for registration if the individual, on the date of the election,
             756      will be legally qualified and entitled to vote in a voting precinct in the state; and
             757          (ii) inform the individual that the individual is registered to vote but may not vote in
             758      the pending election because the individual registered too late and chose not to register and
             759      vote as described in Subsection (9)(a).
             760          (10) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             761      participate in the pilot project:
             762          (a) the election officer shall take the action described in Subsection (10)(b) in relation
             763      to a provisional ballot if the election officer determines that:
             764          (i) the person who voted the ballot is not registered to vote, but is otherwise legally
             765      entitled to vote the ballot;
             766          (ii) the ballot that the person voted is identical to the ballot for the precinct in which
             767      the person resides;
             768          (iii) the information on the ballot is complete; and
             769          (iv) the person provided valid voter identification and proof of residence to the poll
             770      worker;
             771          (b) if a provisional ballot and the person who voted the provisional ballot comply with


             772      the requirements described in Subsection (10)(a), the election officer shall:
             773          (i) consider the provisional ballot a voter registration form;
             774          (ii) place the ballot with the absentee ballots, to be counted with those ballots at the
             775      canvass; and
             776          (iii) as soon as reasonably possible, register the person to vote; and
             777          (c) except as provided in Subsection (11), the election officer shall retain a provisional
             778      ballot envelope, unopened, for the period specified in Section 20A-4-202 , if the election officer
             779      determines that the person who voted the ballot:
             780          (i) (A) is not registered to vote in this state; and
             781          (B) is not eligible for registration under Subsection (10); or
             782          (ii) is not legally entitled to vote the ballot that the person voted.
             783          (11) Subsection (10)(c) does not apply if a court orders the election officer to produce
             784      or count the provisional ballot.
             785          (12) For a county or municipality that is approved by the lieutenant governor to
             786      participate in the pilot project, if, under Subsection 20A-4-107 (4), the election officer
             787      determines that the person is not registered to vote in this state, that the information on the
             788      provisional ballot envelope is complete, and that the provisional ballot and the person who
             789      voted the provisional ballot do not comply with the requirements described in Subsection
             790      (10)(a), the election officer shall:
             791          (a) consider the provisional ballot envelope a voter registration form for the person's
             792      county of residence; and
             793          (b) (i) register the person if the voter's county of residence is within the county; or
             794          (ii) forward the voter registration form to the election officer of the person's county of
             795      residence, which election officer shall register the person.
             796          (13) (a) The county clerk of a county that is approved to participate in the pilot project,
             797      and the municipal clerk of a municipality that is approved to participate in the pilot project,
             798      shall provide training for the poll workers of the county or municipality on administering the
             799      pilot program.
             800          (b) The lieutenant governor shall, for a county or municipality that is approved to
             801      participate in the pilot project, provide information relating to the pilot project in accordance
             802      with the provisions of Subsection 67-1a-2 (2)(a)(iv).


             803          (14) The lieutenant governor and each county and municipality that is approved by the
             804      lieutenant governor to participate in the pilot project shall:
             805          (a) report to the Government Operations Interim Committee, on or before October 31
             806      of each year that the pilot project is in effect, regarding:
             807          (i) the implementation of the pilot project;
             808          (ii) the number of ballots cast by voters who registered on election day;
             809          (iii) any difficulties resulting from the pilot project; and
             810          (iv) whether, in the opinion of the lieutenant governor, the county, or the municipality,
             811      the state would benefit from implementing election day voter registration permanently and on a
             812      statewide basis; and
             813          (b) on or before December 31, 2016, report to the Legislative Management Committee
             814      regarding the matters described in Subsection (14)(a).
             815          (15) During the 2016 interim, the Government Operations Interim Committee shall
             816      study and make a recommendation to the Legislature regarding whether to implement statewide
             817      election day voter registration on a permanent, statewide basis.
             818          Section 12. Section 63I-1-220 is amended to read:
             819           63I-1-220. Repeal dates, Title 20A.
             820          Section 20A-4-108 and all references in the Utah Code to Section 20A-4-108 are
             821      repealed on January 1, 2017.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-20-14 4:13 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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