Utah Voters Face Changes to Privacy Regulations

Utah voters with private or withheld voter registration records will soon receive notices in the mail regarding new legislation impacting their privacy. This change stems from recently passed legislation that removes many existing protections for voter information.

Understanding Senate Bill 153

Senate Bill 153 reclassifies voters currently designated as ‘private’ without a stated reason as public records unless they actively take steps to maintain their privacy. Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie explained, “We’re reviewing all of the pieces of legislation that passed and seeing how they impact us and how they impact voters.”

Impact on Utah Voters

McKenzie noted that over 100,000 Davis County voters are currently classified as private, and their information could become publicly accessible. Approximately 40,000 voters are in a ‘withheld’ status; those who do not qualify as “at-risk” individuals will also have their information made public.

What Information Remains Protected?

Certain sensitive data will remain protected under the new law. This includes birth dates, social security numbers, and driver’s license numbers. The publicly available information will include a voter’s full legal name, voter identification number, and residential address.

Concerns About Voter Safety

Katharine Biele, President of the League of Women Voters of Utah, acknowledges the need for transparency but emphasizes the importance of privacy. “There are many single women who live in Utah who are worried about their safety…But that is not going to be a reason for privacy anymore,” Biele stated.

Next Steps for Voters

Impacted voters will receive a notice by April 8th with instructions on how to protect their information. McKenzie urges voters to act quickly, stating, “I would encourage voters to take immediate action if they need to take action because that deadline is May 6.”

Who Qualifies as “At-Risk”?

  • An individual who is a victim of or threatened with domestic violence or dating violence
  • A law enforcement officer
  • A public figure
  • A member of the armed forces
  • An individual protected by a protective or protection order
  • Individuals living in the same household as someone in the above categories

SB 153 will take full effect on May 25th, at which point voter registration records will become public unless voters have taken the necessary steps to maintain their privacy. Voters with questions are encouraged to contact their county clerk’s office for assistance.