From Deseret News archives:
Be aware of changes in vote laws
Most importantly, Utah Elections director Amy Naccarato says, any voter who registered or changed voting address by mail will have to show a picture identification at his or her polling location. Additionally, if the picture ID does not have the correct address a common problem, since many people do not go in for a new driver's license after they move the voter will have to show proof of correct, registered address by having an official document, such as a current utility bill.
"It's the safe thing for everyone to bring in an ID to vote" to prevent problems, Naccarato said. "It's something we do every day, so it shouldn't be too hard."
Another significant change is the use of "provisional ballots." Unlike in previous years, when voters who moved but did not change their address on their voting information voted at their old precinct, voters who have moved within a county should vote at their new precinct and cast a provisional ballot.
Because of the provisional ballot, the one thing voters should not do is leave a polling place without voting, Naccarato said, unless they are going to their correct precinct at the direction of an election judge. If people are not on the rolls at the polling place but think they are registered, they should request provisional ballots.
Most of the new regulations stem from the Help America Vote Act, which was passed by Congress in the wake of the 2000 election debacle in Florida and other states. The new laws are an attempt to increase ballot security, improve access for disabled voters, and eradicate the use of the oft-maligned punch card ballot system.
In Utah, Tuesday's election may mark the final time most voters use the punch card system. Electronic machines will most likely be in use by the 2005 municipal elections and are required to be in place for the 2006 elections. Within the state, there has never been any notable problems with the punch card ballots, but they were the source of the 2000 election's "hanging chad" controversy elsewhere.
Comments
- Grizzlies lend forward to AHL team 2:06 a.m.
- Basic Sports Training clinic Saturday 2:06 a.m.
- Tony Finau reaches Big Break finale 2:05 a.m.
- Chicken-lovers dance for free food 2:02 a.m.
- Kansas' Secret Santa gives away $ 1:24 a.m.
- 75 hostages seized in Phillippines 1:24 a.m.
- Gates: US to be Afghan partner 1:23 a.m.
- Al-Qaida claims credit for blasts 1:23 a.m.
- Utah Utes campus briefs 12:39 a.m.
- SUU campus briefs 12:37 a.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Psychologist: Mitchell schizophrenic
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Snow brings big chill
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Letters: Global warming a lie
229 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
184 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
147 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
138 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
119 - Revive full food tax?
100 - Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
94 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
94
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
My wife Lisa and I would prefer never to argue. But that's not going to...
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Top 5 Players in minutes played: Utah 1 Fr, 2 Jr, 2 Sr Jr Carlon Brown...
Yep "self righteous" if the rest of us who don't rubber neck left, you would...
Thank you for keeping the team here for all of these years, and for always...
of misery, inconsistency, road games losses and of course, NO TITLE ! Long...
Glad to hear about Matt and the others who demonstrate you can play at a high...
I guess they forgot that God made clothes for Adam and Eve and that was...
and good luck.
There is an inherent problem in any rating system -- it takes into account...
Give Phillips some credit. He was 5/5 in field goals in the YBU game, and the...
Mr. Bender's kind of thinking doesn't even acknowledge that the world is...



You can be the first to comment on this story.