Voting is an important part of civic engagement and is a privilege we should all use and teach our children to use. Talking with our children about the voting process, why we vote, and why it matters prepares them to be informed citizens when they grow older and enables them to help shape the world around them. You can even bring them with you to the polls or let them watch you fill out your ballot for a first-hand look at how our democracy works! But… sometimes knowing how and when to vote can be really confusing! If you’ve ever had questions about how to vote or how to register to vote, here’s everything you need to know in one place:
How Do I Register to Vote?
If you have a physical Utah address and a Utah driver’s license or state ID, you can register to vote online at https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/login.html?selection=REGISTER
If you have a Utah driver’s license but have the address they have for you is not current, you can change it here https://secure.utah.gov/dlr/index.html and then after waiting 24 hours register to vote online https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/login.html?selection=REGISTER.
The last day to register online for the 2018 election is October 30, 2018
What if I don’t have or don’t want to get a Utah driver’s license or state ID?
If you are an otherwise eligible voter and have resided in Utah for at least 30 days before the election, but just do not have a current Utah Driver’s License or ID Card, you won’t be able use the online system but you will still be able to vote!
You will just need to fill out a paper registration form and mail or take it to your local election office. You can find that paper registration form here: https://elections.utah.gov/Media/Default/Forms/Utah%20Voter%20Registration%20Form.pdf
You can find out where you need to mail or take that form on the last page of the form, or you can go here and search for your local election office: https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm
If you do not have access to a printer, your local election office will have forms there they can hand you to fill out.
The last day to register to vote by mailing in a paper registration form is October 9, 2018
The last day to register in-person at the county clerk’s office is October 30, 2018
What if I missed those deadlines or those methods don’t work for me?
You can register to vote at the polls on Election Day or during the Early Voting Period (October 23, 2018 through November 2, 2018).
Okay I’m registered to vote, now what?
Now you need to prepare to vote by studying the issues. You can read up on them and view a sample ballot online here: https://vote.utah.gov/vote/app/sampleBallot/index.html
Most Utah counties are vote-by-mail counties, which means that once you are registered to vote a ballot will automatically be mailed to your house in early October. There is no cost to vote by mail, but be sure you postmark it by November 5th!
You can also choose to vote in person at a polling location. Find one near you by entering your address here: https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/index
If you choose to vote in person, remember to bring a valid form of ID! See what qualifies here: https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/requirements.html
If you need to, you can also request an absentee ballot, which will allow you to vote by mail from a different location than the address you gave when you registered. Request an absentee ballot here: https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/absentee.html
Are there dates or deadlines I should know about?
Yes!
- General Election: November 6, 2018
- Mail ballots are mailed to voters: between October 8, 2018 and October 16, 2018
- In-person early voting: October 23, 2018 through November 2, 2018
- Mail ballot postmark deadline: on or before November 5, 2018 (the day before the Election)
Where can I find more information?
Visit www.vote.utah.gov or call United Way at 801-374-2588
The more we know, the more we can help our children grow.
