Utah expanding access to voter records. Here's what you can do
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If you've previously opted to keep your voter record confidential, that protection is set to be rolled back next month under a new law.
Why it matters: Voters are losing a privacy backstop — and could see an uptick in targeted mailers and outreach, especially during election season.
- For a $1,050 fee, any person or group — from political campaigns and parties to advocacy organizations — can obtain statewide voter rolls.
Driving the news: The Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office sent letters to more than 300,000 Utah voters earlier this month notifying them of the change.
The big picture: The letters have raised eyebrows among voters, with some weighing whether to unregister to vote rather than have their information made public, Utah News Dispatch reports.
Here's what will become public:
- Full legal name
- Identification number
- Residential and mailing address
- Voting precinct and districts
- Party affiliation
- Status as an active or inactive voter
- Last date the voter's registration record was updated
- A list of elections in which the voter cast a ballot
A voter's birth date, driver's license number, state ID number and Social Security number will be kept private, accessible only by government entities.
- And, of course, no one (including the government) can see who or what you've voted for.
Yes, but: If you're an "at-risk voter" — domestic violence victims, police, public figures and some others — you may be able to keep your information private.
- Voters have until May 6 to apply for that status before records go public on May 25.
Flashback: The new law, championed by sponsors Sen. John Johnson (R-North Ogden) and Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) is being presented as a measure to enhance voter transparency.
Jessica's thought bubble: Hey! I'm Jessica Boehm, Axios Salt Lake City's new editor. I live in Arizona, where my voter information has always been public.
- Between September and November 2024, I received 61 campaign mailers and met at least a half-dozen canvassers at my door.
- TLDR: If you're a part of a key voter demo, it may be time to install a "no soliciting" sign.
Zoom out: The measure aligns with the Trump administration's aggressive push to expand access to voter registration lists in multiple states.
- The Justice Department in February filed a lawsuit against the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office to obtain unredacted voter files.