Utah Voting Laws

Because the voting code of Utah is fairly complicated, this page will attempt to clarify some of the common misconceptions. At the bottom of this page are links to the actual state code so you can read them for yourself. If you have other questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below and we will do our best to answer them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to vote in Utah?

The Utah state code (20A-2-101) defines the eligibility for registering to vote in Utah. This section of the code defines four requirements for applying to vote in an election in Utah.

Be a citizen of the United States
Be a resident of Utah for at least the 30 days immediately before the election
Be at least 18 years old on the day of the election
Currently reside in the voting district or precinct in which you have applied to register to vote.

There are no other requirements for registration except involving convicted felons.

The meaning of some of these requirements can be confusing especially when “residency” is called in to question.

What does it mean to be a “resident” of Utah?

For Voting Purposes

There are several places in the Utah state code and in handbooks for higher education that define “residency.” When discussing residency it is important to understand which of these standards apply in which situations. The standards for residency for voter registration purposes are defined in the code at 20A-2-105 Determining Residency.

This section of the code states that a person is a resident of Utah if

The person’s principal place of residence is within Utah and
The person has a present intention to continue residency in Utah permanently or indefinitely.

It further defines a person’s principal place of residence as “that place in which the person’s habitation is fixed and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has the intention of returning.”

It is important for students to note that you don’t automatically gain residency for voting purposes simply because you are living in Utah for school. However, the same section of the code states that this residency can be established “if the person makes an oath or affirmation upon a registration application form that the person’s residence address and place of residence is within a specific voting precinct in Utah” [20A-2-104(6)(a)].

For Other Purposes

If you are interested in obtaining residency for purposes of obtaining in-state tuition then a different residency standard applies to you. This type of residency is defined by the Department of Higher Education in their policies and procedures. The specific section on residency is found in R512. Because these standards do not apply to voting but only for purposes of higher education, they are not discussed in depth on this page.

What is valid voter ID?

Requirements for voter identification was recently changed in Utah. These changes are reflected in the state code in 20A-1-102 Definitions. This section defines voter identification as follows.

“Valid voter identification” means:
1. a form of identification that bears the name and photograph of the voter which may include:
  1. a currently valid Utah driver license;
  2. a currently valid identification card that is issued by:
    1. the state; or
    2. a branch, department, or agency of the United States;
  3. a currently valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon;
  4. a currently valid United States passport; or
  5. a valid tribal identification card, whether or not the card includes a photograph of the voter;
2. two forms of identification that bear the name of the voter and provide evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct, which may include:
  1. a current utility bill or a legible copy thereof, dated within the 90 days before the election;
  2. a bank or other financial account statement, or a legible copy thereof;
  3. a certified birth certificate;
  4. a valid Social Security card;
  5. a check issued by the state or the federal government or a legible copy thereof;
  6. a paycheck from the voter’s employer, or a legible copy thereof;
  7. a currently valid Utah hunting or fishing license;
  8. a currently valid United States military identification card;
  9. certified naturalization documentation;
  10. a currently valid license issued by an authorized agency of the United States;
  11. a certified copy of court records showing the voter’s adoption or name change;
  12. a Bureau of Indian Affairs card;
  13. a tribal treaty card;
  14. a valid Medicaid card, Medicare card, or Electronic Benefits Transfer Card;
  15. a currently valid identification card issued by:
    1. a local government within the state;
    2. an employer for an employee; or
    3. a college, university, technical school, or professional school located within the state;
  16. a current Utah vehicle registration; or
  17. a form of identification listed in Subsection (76)(a) that does not contain a photograph, but establishes the name of the voter and provides evidence that the voter resides in the voting precinct, if at least one other form of identification listed in Subsection (76)(b)(i) through (xv) is also presented.

The Utah State Code