[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5984711,"mediaKeyId","5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8","parentId",5761322,"title","Utah panel reviews rollout of electronic signature-gathering system as law now allows mixed methods","audioSeconds",551,"startMs",647334,"endMs",1198860,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8&start=647&end=1198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8/thumbnail_647334.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5984711/Utah/Utah-panel-reviews-rollout-of-electronic-signature-gathering-system-as-law-now-allows-mixed-methods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984711-1ac1c1b3fe13bcd2ce833e82cfa9fd28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455927&Signature=nRDhdoCgCqgY8zRJ3hyuT0uj3mLF0JnOa2F~ND6fKtSfoM13H8ZZj5MHjtKvNb8WebQUxAl~NL-szdK6K7Tu4VH3SjOE~hXYnC2h-rAHLeXsqU9nQBl3hI4YENu81BsV-T6vsrulQyrXHbRYhw~zunj02tAgq9JX~Hu42boACMThvWcUIgY2AjoAiYeRci-1WvOtPouz2mcb1Zd7jj9s194g-IFTKLKDU2cKx9tkkST5ZKdw38d2UGOHOSNvsqZAVtCEl8g~cvqJMZ9-Wyo6QXvZQCcJzww0LqiedFLTeIVrpTbWUzGhK~g1skaYv-SuaNF9qcd~fqbvWm5UnaykXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah Legislature","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 received a demonstration of Utah's electronic signature-gathering platform and an update on how the system will be used now that state law allows sponsors to gather signatures manually, electronically, or both. Representative Jordan Tescher, who sponsored the 2022 bill authorizing electronic collection, told the panel the reform was intended to reduce printing costs and improve the accuracy and speed of verification.

Why it matters: The change could materially shorten the time petition sponsors wait to learn whether signatures are valid, a factor that affects whether a candidate reaches a convention or an initiative hits a ballot.

At the meeting, Zach Fish, elections systems specialist for the Lieutenant Governor's Office, and Shelley Jackson, deputy director of elections, walked the committee through the circulator-facing workflow. Fish demonstrated a tablet-based flow in which a circulator presents a state-approved device to a voter, the voter acknowledges statutory disclosures, then provides either a driver's license/state ID number or alternate identifying information (date of birth or address) if the ID is not available. Fish said the app checks the voter registration database and shows a red validation message when the on-screen data matches the voter record; if the voter lacks an ID, the record is placed into a queue for county-clerk follow-up as required by code.

Representative Tescher said the system's main benefits are reducing the subjective manual comparison of signatures and making clear to signers what they are endorsing. Tescher said the statute envisioned scanning IDs and that the office should add a scanning capability to reduce typing errors.

Committee members raised operational questions. Representative Keltner and Representative Cutler asked whether the application can scan driver's licenses; Fish said the current build lacks scanning but that capability could be added. Senator Winterton asked how the application protects personally identifiable information; Fish and Tescher said the platform does not store data locally on devices and that submitted images or numbers are transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor's systems for verification and retention.

Fish said the platform requires a live internet connection for real-time verification; if the circulator cannot connect, best practice is to use a paper packet. Fish also noted the platform supports the code's special rules for candidate petitions (for example, preventing out-of-district or wrong-party signers from being accepted) and that circulators will still be required to certify their work after signatures are collected.

Outside comparisons: Fish and Tescher referenced New Mexico's web portal for candidate petitions (used statewide for about two years) and Denver's 2014'17 iPad app. New Mexico's portal lets registrants sign directly online and ties sign-in to the voter database; Denver previously verified electronic signatures and reported lower rejection rates compared with manual collection.

Next steps: Representative Tescher urged petition sponsors to pilot the system and proposed possibly setting a future sunset to encourage adoption of electronic collection once offline functionality and other tweaks are complete. The committee voted to open a bill file to study electronic signature gathering and verification further.

For the record: the Lieutenant Governor's office said it will publish daily reports of verified signers and that manual and electronic signatures will be aggregated and de-duplicated before public posting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Government Operations Interim Committee - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 received a demonstration of Utah's electronic signature-gathering platform and an update on how the system will be used now that state law allows sponsors to collect signatures manually, electronically, or both.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5984692,"Committee opens bill file to extend program that allows state agencies to purchase from community rehabilitation programs",623,8333910,8957420,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8&start=8333&end=8957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8/thumbnail_8333910.jpg","/articles/5984692/Utah/Committee-opens-bill-file-to-extend-program-that-allows-state-agencies-to-purchase-from-community-rehabilitation-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984692-685ceaf1bcf82d3fe121173319292ceb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455927&Signature=DG73BLJVamMj9LoPZt0lOvmDdmd~BtXNo7XF4F0ybVyn2b4e2TKLQ03F99pZ6mZYNRjpPZ0w3hSiGOF2rtjg5TMdTOOmCqJojCYJmujVnKlnW5cfY8KZjkLva1gYLe36wKgNlk66oyQvROiI5PUeUrNEhug9L1x2SvUFo9Y51TDGXWBglDsvLEId~tXizrKdZDVGJ97w4v8s6BEoID10uBLq~o4blp14MwgfUZlvb74pqctAJq9Hg~A1GClZ2oVsAFJU9Ygu9wc9Ph2bFMdlgjuyXJNbiVU27zVfRgf-Omwkrw6UBrL5W3kfKvg3D7CeOOY0oThTBKhaUx0NbkkPHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 reviewed a statutory exception that allows state agencies to procure goods and services from community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) that employ people with severe disabilities. The committee voted to open a bill file to extend the provision and directed staff to add accountability measures.

Why it matters: The exception creates state procurement pathways for nonprofit CRPs whose mission is to provide employment opportunities for individuals with severe disabilities. Supporters said the program creates jobs and economic independence for a population with few employment options. Critics and some committee members asked for improved outcome metrics and better reporting.

Agency presentation: Wendy Apyrith, division director for state purchasing (Department of Government Operations), told the committee CRPs must maintain an employment ratio in which at least 75% of employees have severe disabilities, per federal guidance. Current CRP contracts include janitorial services and paper shredding; total contract value across tracked CRP contracts is under $1 million, and state reports list about 51 individuals employed through CRP contracts in the most recent tracking period. Apyrith said data collection has improved only recently and that the state is working to standardize metrics.

Public comment: The Utah Republican Party and several individuals testified in favor of extending the program; Salt Lake County Clerk Lanny Chapman and county procurement officials urged clarity and cautioned about shifting costs to counties. Witnesses recommended the state require metrics on how many people are employed through the program and clarify reporting requirements.

Committee action: The committee voted to open a bill file to extend the CRP procurement exception (the provision was scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2026). Senator Plumb moved and the voice vote passed; members said they want the extension conditioned on added accountability and clearer metrics.

Next steps: Committee staff and the Division of Purchasing will propose statutory language to preserve the program while requiring improved outcome tracking and clear resource guidance for counties.","The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 reviewed the statute allowing state purchases from community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) that employ people with severe disabilities and voted to open a bill file to extend the authority with added accountability requirements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5984697,"Committee hears legal review of in-person voter ID options and federal case law",935,5931969,6867555,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8&start=5931&end=6867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8/thumbnail_5931969.jpg","/articles/5984697/Utah/Committee-hears-legal-review-of-in-person-voter-ID-options-and-federal-case-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984697-d8eb714e758ef0334eb7c735ed2ac92c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455927&Signature=Ef5WIn89G5Zhllpicqej4m12ZQVKfTWmKKsWOfZOiJ4RdFZ1TBi--ocbA~bogUN9s0~no5nBLrn076yd1mgmQ8NY46vqDjs3LvGfmVprC5ELaEjxpumS~CYWadTHldhGmStYHxrJmKiSUtFkbcW2O~9Ug1WSd~1UseQmIxg5Yy2TRAvG2trAi8WDulpu640yay~MGNN7gED0gGufTaDKPGJGD6M3PJLmCB5SF~fZohITClfhOscs5Nj5wpgJabh~ZUbKGAw5mLfYMgM476BM~O5UNvEsrpsIlmZVWRuVWkX2GUG1iHvzyLn~-w4FBV0bV148fAj7z1usbUKd7-X9uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Interim Committee received an informational briefing Aug. 20 on in-person voter-identification policy and the federal case law that governs constitutional challenges.

Why it matters: Any change to in-person ID requirements must balance the state's interest in preventing fraud and preserving public confidence with constitutional limits; courts evaluate burdens on voters and discriminatory intent or effect.

LRGC attorney Thomas Vaughn told the committee the leading U.S. Supreme Court decision, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, upheld a photo-ID requirement in part because the Indiana law provided exceptions, a free ID and a provisional-ballot cure option. Vaughn said subsequent federal cases (e.g., Fish v. Schwab and ACLU of New Mexico v. Santillanes) demonstrate that courts look at the record and the practical burdens an ID law imposes. The Tenth Circuit requires a case-by-case balancing of burden and state interest.

Senior policy analyst Megan Bowen summarized how states differ: 24 states require photo ID for in-person voting; 12 (including Utah) use non-photo ID lists (Utah accepts driver's license/state ID as primary, then a range of secondary and two-item combinations); and a group of states allows voting without ID but verifies identity by other means. Bowen noted Utah's current code allows provisional ballots when ID is not presented; provisional ballots must be validated (Utah law gives until the Monday following election day to return ID). HB 300 (2025) also changed some ID rules, including a future repeal (01/01/2029) of a utility-bill item as a qualifying secondary ID.

Bowen also explained that Utah driver's licenses and state IDs are Real ID-compliant; applicants must provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence and the DMV uses SAVE checks for certain documents. The driving-privilege card (for persons unable to document lawful presence) is not valid for voting.

No formal action was taken. Committee staff said they will consider statutory clarifications and technical cleanups to align Utah's code with federal case law and recently enacted HB 300 provisions.

Quotable: \"Each law must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the court balancing interests on both sides,\" Vaughn said when summarizing federal precedent.","State legal staff briefed the committee on the constitutionality and practical implications of different in-person voter ID regimes. The presentation summarized binding federal case law, options other states use, and legal risks tied to narrow exceptions or discriminatory effects.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5984702,"Committee backs bill to bar voting machines with wireless capability and set statewide equipment standards",477,7481470,7958775,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8&start=7481&end=7958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8/thumbnail_7481470.jpg","/articles/5984702/Utah/Committee-backs-bill-to-bar-voting-machines-with-wireless-capability-and-set-statewide-equipment-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984702-507169600ea166e0fa9ded20a5aed21c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455927&Signature=hxCQmkghleM1vfJtfODg8rxqXPyMgZCZf2VVsfayrA5bw25M63LaBMNgWEmWEoXESM--LW7vZYVhUBTEZX-xSWt7PO8krR4IFyUkBDZbQbWUNH4Gtrg2DLjgNFy0F4DVBRnH6-9JEgn074kmzn8KGCyNPjKV5QKdGUlUH-DdW7kTK3oLLVrt82wiIS4zmpIzqQvTc33ixmLJ6krULvLfSV3~K7OkQdERgwoI78IgQ-Pg5EAoPm~~q1qHzApn~kLg~0r7AnaPjdEGF49f8OfGIxiBCsZKyERc3l7VRZ7h6OJPLvMo6F72AAvFasUZGdZQXmHHNGiFzfpwr-yQIRyiOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 favorably recommended a draft bill that would require any voting equipment procured for use in Utah to be incapable of wireless communications and establish a voting-equipment selection committee to set statewide standards.

Why it matters: The provision aims to standardize procurement, centralize technical expertise and remove equipment features (wireless communications) the committee views as a security risk.

Sponsor Representative Keller said the bill responds to audit recommendations and creates a committee appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to set requirements for future procurements. The committee would be composed of individuals who collectively have relevant experience in election procedures, computer technology, data security, auditing and accessibility. Language in the draft was clarified so the committee need only collectively possess those skills rather than requiring each appointee to have every listed qualification.

The bill would prohibit counties from choosing equipment that conflicts with the statewide standards after the state completes procurement. Staff said a full statewide procurement is expected in 2028 or 2029; counties may continue to replace equipment that meets current standards until then.

Testimony: Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie told the committee current practice already disables wireless features and said the bill would codify existing safe practices. The Lieutenant Governor's office told the committee the selection committee would follow established state procurement processes. The sponsor and clerks said the intent is to keep ballot-marking devices and tabulators offline while allowing poll worker tools (poll books) to use wireless communication if appropriate.

Committee action: Members voted to favorably recommend the draft. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: With the committee's recommendation, the bill will be formalized as a committee file for session. The sponsor and Lieutenant Governor's Office said they will continue coordination on procurement timelines and technical definitions such as the scope of \"wireless\" and how future, unforeseen communication protocols would be treated.","Lawmakers approved a draft that would bar voting equipment capable of wireless communication and create a selection committee to set procurement standards. Sponsors said the change simply codifies existing practice that ballot-marking/tabulation systems are operated offline; election officials urged adoption.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5984706,"Committee debates signature-posting, county verification changes after 2024 petitions",931,2666744,3598030,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8&start=2666&end=3598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761322-8d238cceafb7deba28ec43ba4ab212b8/thumbnail_2666744.jpg","/articles/5984706/Utah/Committee-debates-signature-posting-county-verification-changes-after-2024-petitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984706-07b56c4b7890cf79a258d6fb4565d9f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455927&Signature=Z~4DcGJdgoD1nYnEL7WK3sKOcdER8wItVQgof-aKUWQT5Je16UAd5jdAVGJ0pQLXM-B~RpxeKgcOiBFJWQ3e6H13WUIOJ3xMHe75Cay4eKEUUgeKntdHZP3~jwv1vthMlN7y6uFAyuelc7WmmGNiG5zU4c9I86JqCLpXp7lxgkdh2nkScSf0Y0GSQKFbC2o28jitQQVHwY7k5Ek2A9mlfrOXBZwY9xJAK69TurRin6Bo6NYy77KvPBaxxFbPUqGoMTzrdLByEIR~TquKLcgi3Jdj8uL-Tgp01vNurb9eDWtsgeuc174xcZ-xLOgrcFOObgla9LGdY4RU9O4gz3436A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 reviewed two draft bills aimed at changing how candidate petition signatures are verified and published.

Why it matters: The proposals respond to problems seen in the 2024 petition cycle, when centralized verification and opaque public notice prompted complaints and litigation. Supporters say the changes will increase transparency and trust; county clerks say the bills raise privacy and operational concerns.

What the bills would do: The first draft (\"signature verification revisions\") would require the election officer to post the name, voter precinct and date of signature of each signer of a candidate-nomination petition on the Lieutenant Governor's website from the day after verification through at least 90 days after the election. The bill would also require an email notice to voters with an email address on record informing them their name was posted and that they have a deadline to request removal. The bill would also move the deadline for candidates seeking party nomination to submit signatures from 14 days before the party convention to 21 days, to allow time for removal requests.

The second draft (\"candidate petition amendments\") would require candidates whose districts cross counties, or candidates for statewide or federal office, to submit signature packets to each county clerk corresponding to the signers' county of residence rather than a single clerk handling statewide verification. That change would require separate booklets per county and routing to multiple clerks.

Public testimony and clerk concerns: Witnesses included Melanie Monastair and Robert Jackson of the Utah Republican Party (supporting both bills), Chris Noll (former Salt Lake County GOP chair), Marilyn Momoney and others in favor of increased transparency, and Lanny Chapman, Salt Lake County Clerk, who opposed aspects of the transparency bill and the decentralization proposal.

Chapman told the committee the transparency bill risks exposing voters in protected categories (private/withheld registrations, Safe at Home) because precinct and date can narrow a signer's location. Chapman also said Utah counties currently lack an automated tool to send the required emails and warned of a significant administrative burden and inconsistent results if verification is split across many counties; she estimated 2024 statewide verification costs at roughly $120,000 and said decentralization would shift workload (and cost) to counties.

Sponsors and party leaders countered: Representative Lisa Shepherd and Utah Republican Party leaders said posting and emailed notice would solve confusion about whether voters had signed and enable timely removal requests. Rep. Shepherd argued the change would increase public confidence and that the clerk-level workload could be managed; county clerks asked that any statutory change include funding and resources.

Committee action: The committee voted on the two draft measures separately. The transparency draft (signature verification revisions) was put to a motion to favorably recommend but did not pass the committee vote; Representative Shepherd will continue to work with clerks and stakeholders. The candidate-petition amendments (requiring submission to signers' county clerk) was favorably recommended by the committee and will move forward as a committee bill.

Next steps: Sponsors and clerks agreed to continue working on technical fixes such as automated email tooling, options to limit publicly posted detail (name only versus precinct and date), and resource needs for county clerks prior to session.","The committee considered two related draft bills: one to post verified candidate-petition signers online and notify voters, and another to require petition submissions to county clerks where signers live. Supporters said both increase transparency and trust; county clerks warned of privacy and administrative burdens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utah panel reviews rollout of electronic signature-gathering system as law now allows mixed methods

Committee opens bill file to extend program that allows state agencies to purchase from community rehabilitation programs

Committee hears legal review of in-person voter ID options and federal case law

Committee backs bill to bar voting machines with wireless capability and set statewide equipment standards

Committee debates signature-posting, county verification changes after 2024 petitions