One big thing:
Utah Speaker Mike Schultz is focused on increasing the security of and confidence in Utah’s elections.
Why it matters:
Utah ranks in the bottom third nationally for election security, relying solely on signature matching for ballot verification – a system the House Speaker calls uncertain and prone to errors.
The big picture:
Despite leading in business, education, and quality of life metrics, Utah remains one of few states without voter ID requirements for casting ballots.
What they’re saying:
“Signatures change. Election clerks, no matter how well-trained, are human,” says Speaker Schultz. “This leads to inconsistencies, errors, and even wrongful ballot rejections. That’s not security. That’s uncertainty.”
Schultz proposes implementing ID requirements while preserving popular voting features:
- Keep mail-in ballots for convenience
- Add ID verification when requesting or submitting ballots
- Streamline counting for election night results
Between the lines:
The proposal aims to balance security with accessibility. “Vote-by-mail is an essential option, especially for rural, elderly, and overseas voters,” Schultz notes.
State of play:
With federal government trust at historic lows, Schultz emphasizes the importance of election confidence: “Utahns deserve to feel certain that their elections are secure, their votes are counted accurately, and their voices truly matter.”
The bottom line:
“We have an opportunity to do better while preserving what people love about voting. A secure and transparent election system strengthens public trust,” concludes Schultz.
