Utah 2023 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0452 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	H.B. 452
2	2	LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL
3	3	6 Approved for Filing: J. Rogers 6
4	4	6 02-13-23 10:17 AM 6
5	5	H.B. 452
6	6	1 MUNICIPALITY VOTING AMENDMENTS
7	7	2 2023 GENERAL SESSION
8	8	3 STATE OF UTAH
9	9	4 Chief Sponsor: Joel K. Briscoe
10	10	5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
11	11	6
12	12	7LONG TITLE
13	13	8General Description:
14	14	9 This bill concerns the ability of a municipality to require voting in a general municipal
15	15	10election.
16	16	11Highlighted Provisions:
17	17	12 This bill:
18	18	13 <defines terms;
19	19	14 <provides that a municipality may enact an ordinance that requires all eligible voters
20	20	15to vote in a general municipal election; and
21	21	16 <establishes requirements and procedures for an ordinance that requires all eligible
22	22	17voters to vote in a general municipal election.
23	23	18Money Appropriated in this Bill:
24	24	19 None
25	25	20Other Special Clauses:
26	26	21 None
27	27	22Utah Code Sections Affected:
28	28	23ENACTS:
29	29	24 10-2a-104.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
30	30	25
31	31	26Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
32	32	27 Section 1. Section 10-2a-104.5 is enacted to read:
33	33	HB0452 H.B. 452 02-13-23 10:17 AM
34	34	- 2 -
35	35	28 10-2a-104.5. Ordinance to require voting in general municipal elections.
36	36	29 (1) As used in this section:
37	37	30 (a) "Vote" means to cast a ballot, including a blank ballot, in a general municipal
38	38	31election, either in person or by mail or any other legal method.
39	39	32 (b) "Vote" does not mean that a voter is required to fill in or complete a ballot.
40	40	33 (2) A municipality may enact an ordinance that requires all eligible voters to vote in a
41	41	34general municipal election.
42	42	35 (3) An ordinance described under Subsection (2) shall include:
43	43	36 (a) a requirement that a resident of the municipality register to vote if the resident is
44	44	37eligible to vote under state law;
45	45	38 (b) a requirement that a registered voter in the municipality shall vote in a regularly
46	46	39scheduled general municipal election;
47	47	40 (c) permissible reasons for a registered voter to not vote;
48	48	41 (d) a process for sending a letter or other form of notification that:
49	49	42 (i) is sent or otherwise provided to an eligible voter who did not vote in a general
50	50	43municipal election;
51	51	44 (ii) asks the eligible voter if the eligible voter had a valid reason as to why the eligible
52	52	45voter did not vote; and
53	53	46 (iii) informs the eligible voter that failure to return the notification, even if the
54	54	47notification is left blank, could result in a fine, community service, or other penalty; and
55	55	48 (e) a provision establishing processes and penalties for an eligible voter's failure to
56	56	49return the notification described in Subsection (3)(d), including:
57	57	50 (i) a fine no greater than $25 per municipal general election;
58	58	51 (ii) an option for community service in lieu of a fine; and
59	59	52 (iii) an appeal process for an eligible voter to appeal a penalty based on a failure to
60	60	53return the notification described in Subsection (3)(d).
61	61	54 (4) No later than 30 days after the day on which the municipality's legislative body
62	62	55enacts the ordinance described in Subsection (2), the municipality shall provide notice by
63	63	56mailing a copy of the ordinance and a summary of the ordinance to each:
64	64	57 (a) owner of real property located within the municipality; and
65	65	58 (b) residence within the municipality.