UtahUtah election officials publish voter notices and protect election records
Utah election officials publish voter information on set schedules, prepare ballots under stated rules, and keep election materials secure.
What it does
Election notices must give voters key details, including election dates, polling information, and how to get accessible voting help. Officials also publish candidate lists on set schedules.
Election officers must keep election materials secure and separate from ballots and returns. The law limits public access to those records while keeping specified reports and election statistics public.
Candidates may ask to use a name they are known by locally, including some family names or nicknames. Some requests need supporting statements, and officials must reject names that could mislead voters or give an unfair advantage.
Starting in 2027, ballots and return envelopes cannot show an election officer's or county clerk's name unless that official is running as a candidate.
Argument forVoters may find election dates, polling details, and accessible voting help more easily because election notices must tell them where to get that information.
Argument againstVoters may have less access to ballot records because the law keeps ballots and election materials from public disclosure, with limited exceptions.
More detail
Election officers and local clerks publish election notices and candidate information. The rules cover state, county, municipal, and special district elections. A county clerk may publish a special district's notice if the district contracts with the county to run its election. Most notice provisions take effect May 6, 2026. State and county candidate notices for regular primary elections take effect upon the governor's approval; the governor signed the bill March 24, 2026.
Election officers keep election materials secure and separate from ballots and election returns. These rules apply to election officers handling ballots, election returns, and election materials. Ballots, election returns, and election materials generally are not public records. Specified reports and election statistics remain public, and officers may issue reports based on election materials if they do not directly identify voters. The text says the retention and disposal rules apply to materials created before, on, or after the bill's effective date. These provisions take effect May 6, 2026.
Election officers may place a candidate's requested name variation on the ballot if the candidate meets the stated requirements. These rules apply to candidates seeking to use a name variation on a Utah ballot. The candidate must request the variation by the end of the filing period. Some surname changes and nicknames require sworn statements from the candidate and five county residents who are not immediate family; officials must reject certain misleading, offensive, or unfairly advantageous nicknames. The text lists this section as effective May 6, 2026.
Ballots and return envelopes may not show an election officer's or county clerk's name, except when that official is a candidate. The rule covers ballots and return envelopes used in Utah elections. The name may appear when the election officer or county clerk is listed as a candidate on the ballot. The restriction begins January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 16House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 16House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 6House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ substituted
- Mar 6Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0361S05
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 4LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0361S05
- Mar 4LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0361S05
- Mar 4LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0361S05
- Mar 4Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 4Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]
- Mar 3Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Mar 3Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Major
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0361S04
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0361S04
- Mar 3LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0361S04
- Mar 3LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0361S04
- Mar 2Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Mar 2Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Mar 2Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 2House/ to Senate
- Feb 27House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 27House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0361S03
- Feb 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0361S03
- Feb 26House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 26House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Government Operations Committee]
- Feb 26House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Government Operations Committee]Minor
- Feb 26House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Government Operations Committee]Major
- Feb 25LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0361S03
- Feb 25LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0361S03
- Feb 24LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0361S02
- Feb 24LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0361S02
- Feb 24LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0361S01
- Feb 24LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0361S01
- Feb 17House/ to standing committee [House Government Operations Committee]Minor
- Jan 31House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0361
- Jan 28LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0361
- Jan 26House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 26House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0361
- Jan 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0361
- Jan 23Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 23Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & Ethics