HB 270: Voter Registration Records Amendments - Utah

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill updates Utah's voter registration privacy laws to reclassify certain private voter records as public by 2027, requiring voters to actively request additional privacy protections. It introduces new definitions for at-risk voters, establishes a subscription system for political parties to access voter data, and creates a verification service for political party membership. The bill also standardizes voter registration forms to include options for electronic communications from political parties and strengthens requirements for removing deceased voters from rolls.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of voter registration privacy rules by creating a new 'at-risk voter' designation system and establishing a formal subscription service for political parties to access voter registration data.

TIMELINE

Changed the date for reclassifying private voter records from May 7, 2025 to January 1, 2027, giving voters more time to request additional privacy protections.

Establishes a new process for designating at-risk voters beginning May 7, 2025, with periodic reviews to ensure continued eligibility for privacy protections.

REQUIREMENT

Requires election officers to notify voters whose records will be reclassified as public, giving them an opportunity to apply for additional privacy protection before the change takes effect.

Establishes a two-year subscription service for state political parties to receive voter registration lists, requiring parties to pay fees and maintain data privacy policies.

Creates a new capability for political parties to verify voter membership by entering a voter's name and address on the lieutenant governor's website.

Requires political parties receiving voter data to sign agreements ensuring industry-standard security measures and limiting use of data to political purposes only.

Requires political parties to provide statistics on the number of at-risk voters in the state and in each state House district to the lieutenant governor.

DEFINITION

Creates new definitions for 'at-risk voter,' 'public registered voter,' 'segregated record,' and 'standard voter data' to clarify what information can be shared with political parties versus government entities.

ELIGIBILITY

Updates voter registration forms to include options for voters to consent to receiving electronic communications from affiliated political parties via email or text message.

TECHNICAL

Requires assignment of new voter identification numbers for all registered voters to prevent identification based solely on the number.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's voter registration privacy laws by reclassifying previously private voter records as public unless voters actively request additional protection, requiring new voter identification numbers, and establishing an 'at-risk voter' designation for individuals facing threats or violence. The changes aim to balance public access to voter information with privacy protections for vulnerable voters.

Scope change

The bill expands public access to voter registration records while creating new privacy protections for specific groups, changing the default status of existing private records from private to public.

ELIGIBILITY

Voter registration records previously classified as private without a specific reason will be reclassified as public on March 1, 2027, unless voters actively apply for additional protection.

DEFINITION

New 'at-risk voter' category created for voters who are victims of domestic violence, law enforcement officers, public figures, or family members of remotely-deployed military personnel.

Updated voter registration forms to include options for electronic ballot notifications and expanded privacy request mechanisms.

REQUIREMENT

Election officers must notify voters whose records are being reclassified and provide them an opportunity to apply for additional privacy protection.

All registered voters will be assigned new voter identification numbers that cannot be used alone to identify the voter.

TIMELINE

Privacy status reclassification begins March 1, 2027, with notice mailed by June 1, 2025.

ENFORCEMENT

Enhanced penalties and procedures for unlawful disclosure of voter registration records, including specific protections for at-risk voters.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes and clarifies Utah's voter registration privacy laws by creating a new 'at-risk voter' designation for individuals facing domestic violence, dating violence, or threats. It establishes a timeline to reclassify previously private voter records as public unless voters actively apply for continued protection, assigns new voter ID numbers to prevent identification through old records, and updates voter registration forms and procedures to reflect these changes.

Scope change

The bill expands privacy protections for specific vulnerable groups (victims of domestic violence, law enforcement, military personnel, public figures) while simultaneously reducing general privacy protections for voters who previously had private records without a specific qualifying reason.

DEFINITION

Created new definition of 'at-risk voter' for individuals who qualify for enhanced privacy protection due to domestic violence, dating violence, law enforcement status, military service, public figure status, or protective orders.

TIMELINE

Established that voter records classified as private before May 7, 2025 will be reclassified as public on March 1, 2027, unless voters apply for continued protection.

REQUIREMENT

Requires election officers to notify voters whose records are being reclassified, giving them an opportunity to apply for additional privacy protection.

Mandates assignment of new voter identification numbers to prevent identification of voters through old records.

Updated voter registration forms to include clearer privacy information and options for requesting additional protection for specific vulnerable groups.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified penalties and disclosure rules for voter registration records, distinguishing between public registered voters and at-risk voters.

TECHNICAL

Recodified and reorganized existing provisions to improve clarity and consistency across related statutes.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes Utah's voter registration privacy laws and creates a new system to protect vulnerable voters. It reclassifies existing private voter records as public unless voters actively apply for continued privacy protection, requires new voter ID numbers to prevent identification through old numbers, and establishes an 'at-risk voter' designation for those facing domestic violence, dating violence, or threats from public figures and law enforcement.

Scope change

The bill expands privacy protections for specific vulnerable groups (domestic violence victims, law enforcement, public figures) while making previously private records public by default, requiring voters to take affirmative action to maintain privacy.

REQUIREMENT

Existing voter records classified as private before May 7, 2025 will be reclassified as public unless voters actively apply for continued privacy protection through a withholding request form.

New voter identification numbers will be assigned to all registered voters on December 1, 2026, ensuring old numbers cannot be used to identify voters.

New voter registration forms include expanded privacy options and ballot notification preferences for text and email updates.

DEFINITION

New 'at-risk voter' designation created for voters who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, law enforcement officers, armed forces members, public figures, or those protected by protective orders.

TIMELINE

Voters with existing private records will receive notice by June 1, 2025, informing them of upcoming reclassification and their right to apply for at-risk voter status.

ENFORCEMENT

Enhanced penalties for unlawful disclosure of voter information, including civil fines calculated based on the number of records improperly accessed.

ELIGIBILITY

Voters applying for privacy protection must now provide verification (such as sworn affidavits) for domestic violence or dating violence claims, with specific rules established through administrative regulations.

TECHNICAL

New sections enacted to define 'standard voter data' and establish procedures for disclosing voter information to political parties, government officials, and the public.

Voter Registration Records Amendments

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