Be aware of changes in vote laws

Although votes will still be cast the old-fashioned way this year in Utah, a number of new laws could make Tuesday's election a hassle if voters are not aware of the changes.

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.

Provisional ballots, which Naccarato said many people refer to as "the hanging chad of 2004," are held separate from regular ballots and counted only after the voter's registration can be verified by the county clerk. If that registration cannot be verified, either because the person did not register or is not registered in the county of his or her precinct, the ballot is discarded.

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.