One big thing
Utah is advancing a straightforward election security measure that pairs one of the nation’s most popular voting systems with a simple safeguard: showing an ID when you drop off your ballot. House Bill 479, championed by House Republicans, aims to strengthen voter confidence without changing the vote-by-mail process Utahns know and trust.
Why it matters
Election trust is a defining issue in American politics. Rather than choosing between security and accessibility, Utah is proving you can have both.
“For Utahns, election security is about one thing: trust,” said Mike Schultz, Speaker, Utah House of Representatives. “Trust that every vote counts and every election is fair. That’s why requiring an ID to vote is smart policy. It’s not about making voting harder — it’s about making our elections more secure and more credible.”
By the numbers
- 83% of Americans — Republicans and Democrats alike — support showing ID to vote.
- Utah has used vote-by-mail for years, and it remains one of the state’s most popular election features.
- HB 479 adds one step: showing an ID at ballot drop-off.
How it works
The bill preserves everything voters value about vote-by-mail. Ballots still arrive at home. Voters still have time to research candidates and issues at their own pace.
“You’ll still receive your ballot at home, sit down at the kitchen table, take time to research the issues, and thoughtfully cast your vote,” Schultz said. “The only difference is simple: when you drop that ballot off, you show an ID.”
Speaker Schultz pointed out that ID checks are already woven into daily life — from cashing a check to boarding a flight.
“That small step goes a long way toward building voter confidence,” Schultz said. “We can make sure that every vote counts and every election is fair.”
The bottom line
Utah isn’t rolling back access — it’s reinforcing trust. As Schultz put it: “Utah is setting the standard — showing the rest of the nation that secure elections and accessible elections go hand in hand.”
