- Some 300,000 could see changes to their voter registration privacy status under a new Utah law.
- SB153 requires most Utah voters' registration information to be public unless they are considered "at-risk."
- Voters must apply by May 6 to keep records private if eligible.
SALT LAKE CITY — Some 300,000 Utahns could see changes to their voter registration privacy status next month thanks to a new law changing who can classify their information as "private."
For years, Utah has allowed voters to mark their registration information as "private" or "withheld," meaning some information would not be made public to political parties, campaigns or others who pay to access the voter registration list. That information includes their full name, voter identification number, residential address, voter status and party affiliation.
It also includes a vote history of which recent elections each voter participated in, but does not disclose how they voted.
But thanks to SB153, which was signed into law last month and takes effect in May, most Utah voters will be required to have their information public. Utahns who have classified their records as private prior to April 6 without giving a reason will have their records made public unless they provide proof that they fit several categories in order to be classified as an at-risk voter.
The law provides a few exceptions for at-risk voters such as those who have been a victim or live with a victim of domestic or intimate partner violence, members of law enforcement and the armed forces, public figures who have received threats and anyone protected by a court order.
This week, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson sent letters to those 300,000 voters who could be impacted by the change, explaining the new law and how they can request to be designated an at-risk voter in order to keep their records private.
"We don't want anyone to worry when they see a letter from our office in their mailbox," Henderson said. "The individuals receiving notices have previously opted in to voter registration privacy protections, and we want to make sure they understand how this new law may affect them."
She noted that personal identifying information such as full date of birth, driver's license number, state identification number and Social Security number will remain private for all voters.
Voters have until May 6 to apply for an at-risk classification by returning an at-risk designation form to their county clerk's office. The voter registration data for those who do not meet the at-risk criteria will be made public on May 25.
Sen. John Johnson, R-North Ogden, the sponsor of SB153, said the bill brings Utah law in line with federal law on voter transparency. Other supporters of the bill say it makes it easier for political campaigns and candidates to know which voters they should be trying to reach, particularly in party primaries.
The bill passed on mostly party lines, with two Senate Republicans voting against and a handful of Democrats voting in favor.
