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Editor’s Note, Nov. 7 • This story has been updated to reflect how Utahns can register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.
Election Day is just hours away, but it’s not too late for Utahns to register and cast their vote in the 2022 midterm elections.
Voting from freshly drawn congressional districts this year, Utah voters will have a chance to cast their ballots for a U.S. Senator and a House representative, members of the Utah Legislature, county attorneys and other local races.
How to register to vote on Election Day
Utahns who currently are not on their local voter rolls can still register at voting locations on Election Day, though you will need to present one primary form of ID or two forms of ID that show your name and current residence.
A primary form of identification would include something like a driver license or passport. Secondary forms of ID are documents that would include your name and current residence – like a utility bill, bank statement or vehicle registration. For a full list of documents that could qualify, go to voteinfo.utah.gov.
What you need to register to vote
In order to vote in Utah, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Utah for at least 30 days prior to the election and be over the age of 18, according to the state.
In Utah, convicted felons have the ability to vote, unless they are currently incarcerated and serving a jail or prison sentence. Utahns who are detained in jail and are awaiting a trial are eligible to register and vote.
Mail-in ballots and deadlines
Universal vote by mail has been a standard in Utah for years, and it is by far the most common way Utahns cast their ballots.
County clerks began mailing ballots to active, registered voters on Oct. 18 and the last day to request a mailed ballot was Nov. 1..
Those casting their mail-in ballots have several options for voting. Voters could have returned their ballots through the mail, but those needed to be postmarked prior to election day. Voters can also drop off their ballot at a designated drop box in their county before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Election Day.
To find the drop box closest to you, visit votesearch.utah.gov. You can also contact your local county clerk’s office for more information.
Where you can vote in person
Utahns can also vote in person during the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Each county clerk’s website has more information on where to cast your vote in person.
Ballot security
Once a ballot is submitted — either through the mail, at a drop box or cast in person — county clerk’s offices will process each ballot to ensure it is legitimate. Each mail-in ballot has an individualized barcode tied to each voter, which ensures each voter can only vote once.
Voters are also required to sign their ballot, and if their signature does not line up with a signature on file, the ballot could be flagged. If this happens, voters are notified and given the chance to correct it.
The midterm elections will also feature a number of security measures following the passage of HB313 earlier this year. The new law mandates 24-hour surveillance of ballot drop boxes and requires the lieutenant governor’s office to conduct a yearly audit of its voter registration database, among other new requirements.
Clarification, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. • The story has been updated to provide additional information on when voters can request a mailed ballot.