Utah Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-in Deadlines

General Election: November 4, 2008

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Utah you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• have resided in Utah for 30 days immediately before the next election
• be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
• not be a convicted felon currently incarcerated for commission of a felony
• not be convicted of treason or crime against the elective franchise, unless restored to civil rights
• not be found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law

How to Register to Vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  
• You can also download and complete the Utah Mail-in Voter Registration Form.  Mail your completed form, and a copy of your ID, to your County Clerk.  The address is on the form. 

ID requirements for first time voters:

First time voters must include a copy of a one valid form of photo identification that shows your name and Utah address (ex: Utah license, Utah state ID card, US passport or Military ID), or two different documents that show your name and Utah address (current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document). If you do not include photo ID or proof of residence with your voter registration form, you will be required to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Absentee Voting

Good news!  Any registered Utah voter can vote by absentee ballot.

How to apply for an absentee ballot: 

Unless you apply for permanent absentee voter status (see below), you must fill out a separate application each time you need an absentee ballot.  Download and complete the Utah Absentee Ballot Application. 

For absentee voting in statewide general and primary elections (held in even-numbered years), your application should be filed by mail or in person with your County Clerk.  For municipal primary and general elections (held in odd numbered years), your application should be filed by mail or in person with your City Clerk or Recorder (click on the "member directory" link on the left). 

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you've voted in person at Utah once.  If you are a first-time voter and you did not include a copy of your photo ID or your proof of residency with your voter registration form, include it with your Absentee Ballot Application.  Include a copy of a one valid form of photo identification that shows your name and Utah address (ex: Utah license, Utah state ID card, US passport or Military ID), or two different documents that show your name and Utah address (current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document).

Emergency absentee ballots:

If you are hospitalized or otherwise confined to a medical or long-term care institution after the deadline for filing an application for an absentee ballot, you may obtain an emergency absentee ballot by contacting your County Clerk.   You or your representative must return your voted absentee ballot to the election officer (either your County Clerk or your City Clerk or Recorder, depending on the year) before the polls close on Election Day.

Permanent absentee voter status:

You can use the

Utah Absentee Ballot Application

to apply for permanent absentee voter status.  Simply check off the box.  Once you're approved, Utah will automatically send you an absentee ballot for each eligible election.  This is a great way to make sure you never miss another election!

Absentee ballot instructions:

The ballot is pretty straightforward.  Complete all required sections and sign where indicated.  If someone helped you read or fill out the ballot, have your ballot notarized or signed by a witness.  Mail your completed ballot back to the address printed on the form.  Your ballot must be postmarked the day before the election.

State Contact Information