vote by mail

Trump's order, issued in March, directs the creation of a federal list of eligible voters for mail ballots. A Massachusetts judge blocked the order for 23 states that sued, and an appeals court left that ruling in place. The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to allow the proposed changes to move ahead while lawsuits play out.

As Utah prepares for its June 23 primary, postal workers and union leaders are urging voters to trust the state’s vote-by-mail process — despite a Trump executive order and ongoing political scrutiny.

“Let’s keep working on it,” one senator said after the House passed more changes, including an in-person ID requirement, for Utah’s popular mail-in ballots.

After reforms to Utah’s vote-by-mail system earlier this year, what has changed for this fall’s municipal elections?

Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters that the president is right to be cautious about mail ballots, but Utah has worked hard to maintain its system.

A presidential executive order directing a documentary, proof-of-citizenship requirement for federal elections has been blocked by a judge. And state-level efforts have found little success — even in places like Utah where Republicans control the legislature and governor’s office.

Lawmakers tackled issues like immigration, elections and labor unions during its 45-day regular session.

The bill requires Utah voters to opt-in to vote by mail and to provide the last four digits of valid identification on their ballot. It’s off to the governor for his signature.

Some county clerks and members of the public question if the bill’s last four digits of a valid ID requirement would improve ballot security.

With just a week to go, the Legislature is looking at Utah’s election system through a microscope. There are more than 80 election-related bills this session.

Covering all 80+ election bills this session would make anyone’s brain melt, so this week on State Street, we’re focusing on one in particular that could impact all 1.7 million registered Utah voters.

Supporters argue that requiring voter ID, rather than signature verification, will strengthen Utah’s election system. Opponents believe changes to the ability to mail a ballot will hinder turnout while disenfranchising voters.