Ballot curing process sparks debate over voting access

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ballot curing process, a critical procedure that ensures votes are counted when discrepancies arise with voter signatures. The process is initiated when a signature on a mail-in ballot does not match the one on record, leading to the ballot being set aside. Clerks are then tasked with notifying voters of the issue and guiding them through the steps necessary to rectify it.

Ricky Hatch, president of the clerks association and Weber County Clerk Auditor, elaborated on the curing process, likening it to a medical treatment for a \"sick\" ballot. He explained that when a ballot is returned, several verifications are conducted to confirm the voter's identity, including checks on citizenship, residency, and signature matching. If these checks fail, the ballot is not counted, but clerks assist voters in resolving signature mismatches, similar to how provisional ballots are handled in-person.

Hatch noted that state law mandates clerks to inform voters of any signature discrepancies within two business days, using various communication methods. Voters must then provide additional personal information to verify their identity, which can be submitted through multiple channels. Approximately 1-2% of ballots undergo the curing process, with about half successfully resolved and counted.

The meeting highlighted differing opinions on whether the curing process should be made easier or more stringent, but no immediate legislative action was proposed. The discussion concluded with a recognition of the tight timeline ahead of the upcoming election, leaving the future of potential legislative changes uncertain.