Legislature-commissioned study finds no widespread fraud in Utah elections

A study commissioned by the Utah Legislature found "no evidence of significant or widespread fraud" in Utah elections, KSL.com reported. Researchers at Utah Valley University's Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy presented the findings to lawmakers at the Capitol on Wednesday. ^[1]

The researchers found no increase in fraud when states move from in-person to mail voting, and said Utah's switch to vote-by-mail raised participation, including sharply in rural counties. Of 2,276 fraud cases in a national database covering 2000 to 2019, 51 were in Utah, all from a 2006 mayoral election in Daggett County. ^[1]

Lawmakers had also asked about requiring voters to return mail ballots in person with ID. The report said the only workable approach meeting those requirements would be paying poll workers to staff drop boxes at all times, at an estimated $8 million a year. It said that would stretch the average drop-off from one minute to four, and about 430,000 ballots arrive in the final two days of an election. ^[1]

The report said some proposals can reduce turnout, citing Kansas and Texas laws, and advised weighing any changes against existing protections. Starting in 2029, Utah voters will need to opt in to receive mail ballots. ^[1]