H.B. 408

             1     

ELECTION REQUIREMENTS AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Kay J. Christofferson

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends portions of the Election Code that relate to a write-in candidate.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    amends certain portions of the Election Code to require a ballot to contain a space
             13      for a write-in candidate only if a write-in candidate is qualified for the election;
             14          .    changes the deadline for a write-in candidate to file a declaration of candidacy for a
             15      regular general election; and
             16          .    makes technical changes.
             17      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23           20A-6-101 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 202
             24           20A-6-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 326
             25           20A-6-301 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 68
             26           20A-6-402 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 68
             27           20A-9-601 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapters 317 and 402


             28     
             29      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             30          Section 1. Section 20A-6-101 is amended to read:
             31           20A-6-101. General requirements for paper ballots.
             32          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that paper ballots:
             33          (a) are printed on only one side of the paper;
             34          (b) are printed using precisely the same quality and tint of plain white paper through
             35      which the printing or writing cannot be seen;
             36          (c) are printed using precisely the same quality and kind of type;
             37          (d) are printed using precisely the same quality and tint of plain black ink;
             38          (e) are uniform in size for all the voting precincts within the election officer's
             39      jurisdiction; and
             40          (f) include, in [elections where write-in voting is authorized] an election in which a
             41      voter is authorized to cast a write-in vote and where a write-in candidate is qualified under
             42      Section 20A-9-601 , a write-in column immediately adjacent to the last column on the ballot
             43      that is long enough to contain as many written names of candidates as there are persons to be
             44      elected with:
             45          (i) the offices to be filled printed above the blank spaces on the ticket; and
             46          (ii) the words "Write-In Voting Column" printed at the head of the column without a
             47      1/2 inch circle.
             48          (2) Whenever the vote for candidates is to be limited to the voters of a particular
             49      political division, the election officer shall ensure that the names of those candidates are
             50      printed only upon those ballots provided to that political division.
             51          Section 2. Section 20A-6-102 is amended to read:
             52           20A-6-102. General requirements for machine counted ballots.
             53          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that ballots and ballot labels are printed:
             54          (a) to a size and arrangement that fits the construction of the voting device; and
             55          (b) in plain, clear type in black ink on clear white stock; or
             56          (c) in plain, clear type in black ink on stock of different colors if it is necessary to:
             57          (i) identify different ballots or parts of the ballot; or
             58          (ii) differentiate between political parties.


             59          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             60          (a) ballot sheets are of a size, design, and stock suitable for processing by automatic
             61      data processing machines;
             62          (b) each ballot sheet has an attached perforated stub, on which is printed the words
             63      "Official Ballot, (initial) Poll Worker"; and
             64          (c) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively.
             65          (3) In [elections] an election in which [voters are] a voter is authorized to cast a
             66      write-in [votes] vote and where a write-in candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601 , the
             67      election officer shall provide a separate write-in ballot, which may be in the form of a paper
             68      ballot, a card, or a secrecy envelope in which the voter places his ballot sheet after voting, to
             69      permit voters to write in the title of the office and the name of the person or persons for whom
             70      the voter wishes to cast a write-in vote.
             71          (4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the election officer may
             72      authorize any ballots that are to be counted by means of electronic or electromechanical
             73      devices to be printed to a size, layout, texture, and in any type of ink or combination of inks
             74      that will be suitable for use in the counting devices in which they are intended to be placed.
             75          Section 3. Section 20A-6-301 is amended to read:
             76           20A-6-301. Paper ballots -- Regular general election.
             77          (1) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             78          (a) all paper ballots furnished for use at the regular general election contain no captions
             79      or other endorsements except as provided in this section;
             80          (b) (i) the paper ballot contains a ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across the
             81      top of the ballot, and divided from the rest of ballot by a perforated line;
             82          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             83      stub; and
             84          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             85          (c) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             86      printed in 18 point bold type:
             87          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ County, Utah";
             88          (ii) the date of the election; and
             89          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the county clerk and the words "county clerk";


             90          (d) each ticket is placed in a separate column on the ballot in the order specified under
             91      Section 20A-6-305 with the party emblem, followed by the party name, at the head of the
             92      column;
             93          (e) the party name or title is printed in capital letters not less than one-fourth of an inch
             94      high;
             95          (f) a circle one-half inch in diameter is printed immediately below the party name or
             96      title, and the top of the circle is placed not less than two inches below the perforated line;
             97          (g) unaffiliated candidates and candidates not affiliated with a registered political party
             98      are listed in one column in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305 , without a party circle,
             99      with the following instructions printed at the head of the column: "All candidates not affiliated
             100      with a political party are listed below. They are to be considered with all offices and
             101      candidates listed to the left. Only one vote is allowed for each office.";
             102          (h) the columns containing the lists of candidates, including the party name and device,
             103      are separated by heavy parallel lines;
             104          (i) the offices to be filled are plainly printed immediately above the names of the
             105      candidates for those offices;
             106          (j) the names of candidates are printed in capital letters, not less than one-eighth nor
             107      more than one-fourth of an inch high in heavy-faced type not smaller than 10 point, between
             108      lines or rules three-eighths of an inch apart;
             109          (k) a square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an inch in length is
             110      printed immediately adjacent to the name of each candidate;
             111          (l) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant governor,
             112      one square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an inch in length is printed on the
             113      same side as but opposite a double bracket enclosing the names of the two candidates;
             114          (m) in an election in which a voter is authorized to cast a write-in vote and where a
             115      write-in candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601 , immediately adjacent to the
             116      unaffiliated ticket on the ballot, the ballot contains a write-in column long enough to contain as
             117      many written names of candidates as there are persons to be elected with:
             118          (i) for each office on the ballot, the office to be filled plainly printed immediately
             119      above:
             120          (A) a blank, horizontal line to enable the entry of a valid write-in candidate and a


             121      square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an inch in length printed immediately
             122      adjacent to the blank horizontal line; or
             123          (B) for the offices of president and vice president and governor and lieutenant
             124      governor, two blank horizontal lines, one placed above the other, to enable the entry of two
             125      valid write-in candidates, and one square with sides measuring not less than one-fourth of an
             126      inch in length printed on the same side as but opposite a double bracket enclosing the two
             127      blank horizontal lines; and
             128          (ii) the words "Write-In Voting Column" printed at the head of the column without a
             129      one-half inch circle;
             130          (n) when required, the ballot includes a nonpartisan ticket placed immediately adjacent
             131      to the write-in ticket, or, if there is no write-in ticket, immediately adjacent to the unaffiliated
             132      ticket, with the word "NONPARTISAN" in reverse type in an 18 point solid rule running
             133      vertically the full length of the nonpartisan ballot copy; and
             134          (o) constitutional amendments or other questions submitted to the vote of the people,
             135      are printed on the ballot after the list of candidates.
             136          (2) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             137          (a) each person nominated by any political party or group of petitioners is placed on the
             138      ballot:
             139          (i) under the party name and emblem, if any; or
             140          (ii) under the title of the party or group as designated by them in their certificates of
             141      nomination or petition, or, if none is designated, then under some suitable title;
             142          (b) the names of all unaffiliated candidates that qualify as required in Title 20A,
             143      Chapter 9, Part 5, Candidates not Affiliated with a Party, are placed on the ballot;
             144          (c) the names of the candidates for president and vice president are used on the ballot
             145      instead of the names of the presidential electors; and
             146          (d) the ballots contain no other names.
             147          (3) When the ballot contains a nonpartisan section, the election officer shall ensure
             148      that:
             149          (a) the designation of the office to be filled in the election and the number of
             150      candidates to be elected are printed in type not smaller than eight point;
             151          (b) the words designating the office are printed flush with the left-hand margin;


             152          (c) the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of candidates for
             153      which the voter may vote)" extend to the extreme right of the column;
             154          (d) the nonpartisan candidates are grouped according to the office for which they are
             155      candidates;
             156          (e) the names in each group are placed in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305
             157      with the surnames last; and
             158          (f) each group is preceded by the designation of the office for which the candidates
             159      seek election, and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of
             160      candidates for which the voter may vote)," according to the number to be elected.
             161          (4) Each election officer shall ensure that:
             162          (a) proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution are listed on the ballot in
             163      accordance with Section 20A-6-107 ;
             164          (b) ballot propositions submitted to the voters are listed on the ballot in accordance
             165      with Section 20A-6-107 ; and
             166          (c) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
             167      title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             168          Section 4. Section 20A-6-402 is amended to read:
             169           20A-6-402. Ballots for municipal general elections.
             170          (1) When using a paper ballot at municipal general elections, each election officer shall
             171      ensure that:
             172          (a) the names of the two candidates who received the highest number of votes for
             173      mayor in the municipal primary are placed upon the ballot;
             174          (b) if no municipal primary election was held, the names of the candidates who filed
             175      declarations of candidacy for municipal offices are placed upon the ballot;
             176          (c) for other offices:
             177          (i) twice the number of candidates as there are positions to be filled are certified as
             178      eligible for election in the municipal general election from those candidates who received the
             179      greater number of votes in the primary election; and
             180          (ii) the names of those candidates are placed upon the municipal general election
             181      ballot;
             182          (d) the names of the candidates are placed on the ballot in the order specified under


             183      Section 20A-6-305 ;
             184          (e) in an election in which a voter is authorized to cast a write-in vote and where a
             185      write-in candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601 , a write-in area is placed upon the
             186      ballot that contains, for each office in which there is a qualified write-in candidate:
             187          (i) a blank, horizontal line to enable [the entry of] a voter to submit a valid write-in
             188      candidate; and
             189          (ii) a square or other conforming area that is adjacent to or opposite the blank
             190      horizontal line to enable the voter to indicate the voter's vote;
             191          (f) ballot propositions that have qualified for the ballot, including propositions
             192      submitted to the voters by the municipality, municipal initiatives, and municipal referenda, are
             193      listed on the ballot in accordance with Section 20A-6-107 ; and
             194          (g) bond propositions that have qualified for the ballot are listed on the ballot under the
             195      title assigned to each bond proposition under Section 11-14-206 .
             196          (2) When using a punch card ballot at municipal general elections, each election officer
             197      shall ensure that:
             198          (a) (i) the ballot contains a perforated ballot stub at least one inch wide, placed across
             199      the top of the ballot;
             200          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             201      stub; and
             202          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             203          (b) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             204      printed in 18 point bold type:
             205          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             206          (ii) the date of the election; and
             207          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title in
             208      eight-point type;
             209          (c) immediately below the election officer's title, two one-point parallel horizontal
             210      rules separate endorsements from the rest of the ballot;
             211          (d) immediately below the horizontal rules, an "Instructions to Voters" section is
             212      printed in 10-point bold type that states: "To vote for a candidate, place a cross (X) in the
             213      square following the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as the candidate(s) for each respective


             214      office." followed by two one-point parallel rules;
             215          (e) after the rules, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek election is
             216      printed flush with the left-hand margin and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____
             217      (the number of candidates for which the voter may vote)" are printed to extend to the extreme
             218      right of the column in 10-point bold type, followed by a hair-line rule;
             219          (f) after the hair-line rule, the names of the candidates are printed in heavy face type
             220      between lines or rules three-eighths inch apart, in the order specified under Section 20A-6-305
             221      with surnames last and grouped according to the office that they seek;
             222          (g) a square with sides not less than one-fourth inch long is printed immediately
             223      adjacent to the names of the candidates;
             224          (h) following the name of the last candidate for each office in which a write-in
             225      candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601 , the ballot contains:
             226          (i) a write-in space for each elective office in which a write-in candidate is qualified
             227      where the voter may enter the name of a valid write-in candidate; and
             228          (ii) a square printed immediately adjacent to the write-in space or line where the voter
             229      may vote for [the] a valid write-in candidate; and
             230          (i) the candidate groups are separated from each other by one light and one heavy line
             231      or rule.
             232          (3) When using a ballot sheet other than a punch card ballot at municipal general
             233      elections, each election officer shall ensure that:
             234          (a) (i) the ballot contains a perforated ballot stub placed across the top of the ballot;
             235          (ii) the ballot number and the words "Poll Worker's Initial ____" are printed on the
             236      stub; and
             237          (iii) ballot stubs are numbered consecutively;
             238          (b) immediately below the perforated ballot stub, the following endorsements are
             239      printed:
             240          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             241          (ii) the date of the election; and
             242          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title;
             243          (c) immediately below the election officer's title, a distinct border or line separates
             244      endorsements from the rest of the ballot;


             245          (d) immediately below the border or line, an "Instructions to Voters" section is printed
             246      that states: "To vote for a candidate, select the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as the
             247      candidate(s) for each respective office." followed by another border or line;
             248          (e) after the border or line, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             249      election is printed and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of
             250      candidates for which the voter may vote)" are printed, followed by a line or border;
             251          (f) after the line or border, the names of the candidates are printed in the order
             252      specified under Section 20A-6-305 with surnames last and grouped according to the office that
             253      they seek;
             254          (g) an oval is printed adjacent to the names of the candidates;
             255          (h) following the name of the last candidate for each office in which a write-in
             256      candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601 , the ballot contains:
             257          (i) a write-in space or blank line for each elective office in which a write-in candidate
             258      is qualified where the voter may enter the name of a valid write-in candidate; and
             259          (ii) an oval [is] printed adjacent to the write-in space or line where the voter may vote
             260      for [the] a valid write-in candidate; and
             261          (i) the candidate groups are separated from each other by a line or border.
             262          (4) When using an electronic ballot at municipal general elections, each election officer
             263      shall ensure that:
             264          (a) the following endorsements are displayed on the first screen of the ballot:
             265          (i) "Official Ballot for ____ (City or Town), Utah";
             266          (ii) the date of the election; and
             267          (iii) a facsimile of the signature of the election officer and the election officer's title;
             268          (b) immediately below the election officer's title, a distinct border or line separates the
             269      endorsements from the rest of the ballot;
             270          (c) immediately below the border or line, an "Instructions to Voters" section is
             271      displayed that states: "To vote for a candidate, select the name(s) of the person(s) you favor as
             272      the candidate(s) for each respective office." followed by another border or line;
             273          (d) after the border or line, the designation of the office for which the candidates seek
             274      election is displayed, and the words, "Vote for one" or "Vote for up to _____ (the number of
             275      candidates for which the voter may vote)" are displayed, followed by a line or border;


             276          (e) after the line or border, the names of the candidates are displayed in the order
             277      specified under Section 20A-6-305 with surnames last and grouped according to the office that
             278      they seek;
             279          (f) a voting square or position is located adjacent to the name of each candidate;
             280          (g) following the name of the last candidate for each office in which a write-in
             281      candidate is qualified under Section 20A-9-601 , the ballot contains a write-in space where the
             282      voter may enter the name of and vote for a valid write-in candidate for the office; and
             283          (h) the candidate groups are separated from each other by a line or border.
             284          (5) When a municipality has chosen to nominate candidates by convention or
             285      committee, the election officer shall ensure that the party name is included with the candidate's
             286      name on the ballot.
             287          Section 5. Section 20A-9-601 is amended to read:
             288           20A-9-601. Qualifying as a write-in candidate.
             289          (1) (a) Each person wishing to become a valid write-in candidate shall file a declaration
             290      of candidacy in person, or through a designated agent for a candidate for president or vice
             291      president of the United States, with the appropriate filing officer not later than [30] 60 days
             292      before the regular general election or [60 days before] a municipal general election in which the
             293      person intends to be a write-in candidate.
             294          (b) (i) The form of the declaration of candidacy for all offices, except president of the
             295      United States, is substantially as follows:
             296          "State of Utah, County of ____
             297          I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming a candidate for the office of
             298      ____ for the ____ district (if applicable). I do solemnly swear that: I will meet the
             299      qualifications to hold the office, both legally and constitutionally, if selected; I reside at
             300      _____________ in the City or Town of ____, Utah, Zip Code ____, Phone No. ____; I will
             301      not knowingly violate any law governing campaigns and elections; I will file all campaign
             302      financial disclosure reports as required by law; and I understand that failure to do so will result
             303      in my disqualification as a candidate for this office and removal of my name from the ballot.
             304      The mailing address that I designate for receiving official election notices is
             305      ___________________________.
             306          ____________________________________________________________________


             307          Subscribed and sworn before me this __________(month\day\year).
             308          Notary Public (or other officer qualified to administer oath)."
             309          (ii) The form of the declaration of candidacy for president of the United States is
             310      substantially as follows:
             311          "State of Utah, County of ____
             312          I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming a candidate for the office of the
             313      president of the United States. I do solemnly swear that: I will meet the qualifications to hold
             314      the office, both legally and constitutionally, if selected; I reside at _____________ in the City
             315      or Town of ____, State ____, Zip Code ____, Phone No. ____; I will not knowingly violate
             316      any law governing campaigns and elections. The mailing address that I designate for receiving
             317      official election notices is ___________________________. I designate _______________ as
             318      my vice presidential candidate.
             319          ____________________________________________________________________
             320          Subscribed and sworn before me this __________(month\day\year).
             321          Notary Public (or other officer qualified to administer oath.)"
             322          (iii) An agent designated to file a declaration of candidacy under Subsection (2) may
             323      not sign the form described in Subsection (1)(b)(i) or (ii).
             324          (c) (i) The filing officer shall:
             325          (A) read to the candidate the constitutional and statutory requirements for the office;
             326      and
             327          (B) ask the candidate whether or not the candidate meets the requirements.
             328          (ii) If the candidate cannot meet the requirements of office, the filing officer may not
             329      accept the write-in candidate's declaration of candidacy.
             330          (2) Notwithstanding the requirement in Subsection (1) to file a declaration of
             331      candidacy in person, a person may designate an agent to file the declaration of candidacy in
             332      person with the filing officer if:
             333          (a) the person is located outside the state during the filing period because:
             334          (i) of employment with the state or the United States; or
             335          (ii) the person is a member of:
             336          (A) the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or
             337      Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;


             338          (B) the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the
             339      commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United
             340      States; or
             341          (C) the National Guard on activated status; and
             342          (b) the person communicates with the filing officer using an electronic device that
             343      allows the person and filing officer to see and hear each other.
             344          (3) By November 1 of each regular general election year, the lieutenant governor shall
             345      certify to each county clerk the names of all write-in candidates who filed their declaration of
             346      candidacy with the lieutenant governor.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-21-14 9:23 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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