One of the DLC's main concerns is the requirement in HB15 that a valid voter identification containing the name and photograph of the voter be presented at the time of voting. Although HB15 features an extensive list of options, the DLC is requesting that it also include:

• Identification cards issued by state institutions such as the Utah State Hospital and Utah State Developmental Center in American Fork.

• Nursing home identification cards.

• UTA or para-transit picture identification.

• Notarized Department of Corrections identification card.

• Sworn statement in front of a polling judge that the voter is who they say they are and live where they say they live.

The DLC also requests that if a voter does not have a valid photo ID that they be allowed to show one form of identification that bears the name and current address of the voter.

"Although the ID requirement is not as onerous as it is in other states, there could be improvements made," McCoy said. "In our situation, people who live in group homes or in the developmental center or at the Utah State Hospital have the right to vote, but they may not have one of the required IDs that are listed."

Aagard said the ID requirement was discussed during committee hearings and included in the bill in an effort to prevent voter fraud.

"We want to make sure we have a good, tight election that people can trust and feel secure about," he said.

Other additions to the legislation requested by the Disability Law Center include:

• Requiring that polling places be 5 miles or less from the voter living farthest from the common polling place.

• Creating common polling places within a quarter-mile of a public transportation stop, where available.

• Having at least one accessible voting system per 2,000 active voters at any common polling location.

"If you read (the legislation) as it's written, a county could allow one polling place per county, which we feel would be detrimental to voters — especially those in rural counties and those with disabilities who might not own a car and where there is not sufficient public transportation," McCoy said.

Counties could even take it a step further, she said, and have only one voting machine at that lone polling station.

The DLC is not suggesting that county clerks have any intent of doing such a thing, but the wording of the bills leave it open to that interpretation, McCoy said.

Aagard said that potential problem solves itself because county clerks are elected officials. "If they don't do a good job of getting voters access to machines, the voters hopefully would hold them accountable," he said.

It's also the job of the county clerks to train polling judges, and the DLC is requesting that state make that training a requirement.

Aagard said he will review the suggestions made by the Disability Law Center and consider making changes to the legislation.

"If it's something we can do, we'll do it," he said. "There are limits. You can't meet every need or want out there, but we'll do the best we can with the resources we have. That doesn't mean everybody's going to get everything they want."

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com