Key Takeaways:

• Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed a controversial bill phasing out the universal mail-in voting system by 2029.
• The new law requires voters to request mail-in ballots, limiting access to those who may live far from polling places.
• Voting rights advocates criticize the law as unnecessarily restrictive, particularly affecting rural voters.

In a significant move, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed a bill that dismantles the state's universal vote-by-mail system, a decision that marks the first of its kind in the United States. Beginning in 2029, registered voters in Utah will need to actively request mail-in ballots, a departure from the previous practice of automatically sending ballots to all registered voters.

The legislation was driven by the Republican-controlled state legislature and aims to address concerns about election integrity amid unfounded claims of widespread fraud. Governor Cox stated that the changes are essential for restoring trust among those who wrongly believe that the election system is compromised. “We have to ensure we have confidence in our election results,” he said in past remarks, rejecting the notion that extensive fraud is present in mail-in voting, while still aligning with broader Republican efforts to limit mail ballot acceptance.

Under this new law, the deadlines for returning mail-in ballots will also tighten. Voters must ensure that their ballots are received by election officials by 8 p.m. on Election Day, a stark contrast to the previous grace period where ballots could be postmarked by Election Day and counted if received later.

Voting rights organizations are voicing strong opposition to this bill, claiming it could disenfranchise many voters, especially those in rural areas where polling locations are scarce. Barbara Smith Warner, executive director of the National Vote At Home Institute, indicated that the elimination of the grace period "will make it harder for Utahns to vote," citing that nearly 97% of voters relied on mail-in voting in the last primary election. Michael Moore, a concerned voter from a rural area, stated, "I probably wouldn’t vote if I had to drive that far" to reach a polling place.

As the political landscape shifts toward stricter voting regulations, Utah’s decision has raised alarm about the potential negative impacts on voter turnout and access to the ballot despite claims of enhancing election security. The role of money and influence in this legislative change has also come under scrutiny, with community leaders advocating for access to voting as a fundamental right.

In summary, as other states like California and Oregon maintain their mail-in voting systems, Utah will serve as a critical case study on the effects of rolling back such voting measures. Advocates are calling for more comprehensive frameworks that prioritize voter accessibility instead of restrictions under the guise of security.