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County clerk explains new proof-of-citizenship and 'federal-only' ballot rules
Summary
County Clerk Lanny Chapman told canvassers a recent state law requires adding space for voters to provide a last-four identifier on affidavit envelopes and that some voters may be limited to federal-only contests until they provide proof of citizenship.
County Clerk Lanny Chapman told the board that a change in state law requires election staff to add a space on affidavit envelopes for voters to provide the last four digits of a Social Security number, Utah ID, or driver’s license. "This is a state law that was passed last year that requires us now to add space for voters on their affidavit envelope to provide the last 4 of their social security number, Utah ID number or driver's license," Chapman said.
Chapman said the requirement prompted manual review of ballots and that, where registrants could not provide verifiable identification, state law limits them to participation in federal contests only until they provide proof: "So until they provide me with verifiable proof... they are by state law only required or only allowed to participate in federal contests." He framed the change as increasing staff workload (more than 400 man-hours for verification this cycle) and said the county is preparing for the added work in November.
