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League updates members on HB 300 changes to vote-by-mail procedures and ID requirements
Summary
League staff briefed members that House Bill 300 (elections) was substantially substituted on the House floor to add ID requirements for mailed ballots, a new state ID pathway, and an opt-in mechanism for receiving ballots by mail beginning 2028; the League plans to revisit its position at the next LPC meeting.
League staff gave a brief update on House Bill 300, telling members the bill was substantially rewritten on the House floor and that the League would revisit its position at the next LPC meeting.
Staff summarized the substituted HB 300 as presented: it requires state procedures to improve voter‑roll accuracy and creates a pathway for eligible voters to obtain a state identification card if they do not have one. Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, a voter may not return a mail ballot (either in person or by mail) without a primary photo ID. The bill would require a registered voter who has a Utah driver license, other Utah license or Utah state ID to place the last four digits of that primary photo ID number on the return envelope for mail ballots; the identity of mailed ballots would be confirmed both by signature comparison and the last four digits of the ID. The substituted bill also makes the default receipt of ballots by mail “opt in” starting in 2028: a voter will not receive a ballot by mail unless they request to do so, and that request remains effective for eight years unless the voter takes specific actions that terminate it or fails to vote in a general election.
Staff said the substituted text still allows drop boxes and in‑person voting without showing ID, but mail-ballot processing would require additional verification. The League will consider a position change from oppose to position pending and present a recommendation at the next LPC meeting.
