House approves voter identification requirement with judge-recognition backstop

Representative Rebecca Lockhart introduced House Bill 258 to require voters to present identification when voting in person, changing the state standard from discretionary ('may require') to mandatory ('shall require') in statute. She told the House that one permitted form of identification would be recognition by the election judge and that the bill did not alter absentee-voter procedures.

Several members raised concerns about the change. One member cited Utah Code section 20A-3-104(1)(b) noting election judges already have authority to request identification when they do not recognize a voter; opponents warned the bill would lengthen lines at polling places, increase costs (one estimate mentioned roughly $65,000 per general election to add precincts), and create barriers for seniors and people with disabilities who may lack driver licenses or photo ID.

Sponsor clarifications and amendment: Representative Lockhart explained that voters who cannot produce ID may sign a sworn attestation asserting their identity and still receive a ballot; she said a false attestation could be prosecuted as a third-degree felony. Representative Harper offered Amendment #2 to clarify that personal recognition by an election judge counts as a valid form of identification; the sponsor accepted the amendment as friendly.

Vote and next steps: The House voted on HB 258 after amendment. The Clerk recorded that a recorded '24 no votes' occurred during the final tally in the segment and indicated the motion passed; final detailed tallies beyond the transcript excerpt were not consistently reported in the segment. The bill will proceed according to House procedures.