Utahns like to vote by mail. It’s practical and promotes thoughtful deliberation and inquiry. Studies have shown that it increases participation.

An opinion poll commissioned in October by the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics, and conducted by HarrisX, found that 75% of Utahns are somewhat or very confident that mailed-in ballots are counted as the voter intended. Broken down by party, the poll reveals that 72% of Republicans feel the same level of confidence.

With this in mind, it would be irresponsible for Utah lawmakers to weaken, suppress or eliminate mail-in voting as the primary method most state residents use to vote. Rather than increasing confidence in elections, it could have the opposite effect. Utahns don’t want to go back to waiting in line at polling places.

Some have expressed concerns about mail-in ballots because counting votes and posting results takes too long. If that’s the main problem, lawmakers should focus on ways to fix it without eliminating what has become a popular and effective means of voting. The percentage of registered voters who voted in Utah was 90.09%. in the 2020 general elections, the last for which the final results are available. This compares to 69.85% who voted in the 2000 election, according to state figures. Clearly, the trend is toward greater voter turnout in Utah, which is a good thing. The possibility of voting by post played a positive role in this regard.

As the Deseret News reported As previously reported, Utah lawmakers are proposing several significant changes to how the state conducts elections. Voting by mail is a specific objective of these reforms. One bill would limit mail voting to those who voted in the most recent election. One would require voters to specifically choose to vote by mail, rather than receiving them automatically, as is the current practice in much of the state. Another idea proposed by an advocacy group would require voters to return their absentee ballots to official polling places where each voter’s identity would be verified.

Each of them seeks to solve a problem that does not exist. Utah’s mail-in voting system is a success. KSL recently reviewed every alleged violation of the state’s election code going back 12 years. Only 32 cases were discovered, containing 58 charges. Of those, only one was accused of voting twice, which he said was the result of a misunderstanding related to casting a provisional ballot. The charge was dismissed after he paid a $50 fine.

On the contrary, the State might wish to take care of postmarking times. Fewer than 200 votes separated two candidates in the Republican primary in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District. The losing candidate challenged the results because some ballots were cast too late to receive a timely postmark in Las Vegas, where southern Utah’s mail is sorted.

However, it is unclear what specific change would address this issue.

Another proposed change would allow candidates winning a large majority at the state convention — 70% or 80% — to automatically qualify for the general election ballot, regardless of how many others obtained signatures. This would be a significant step back toward favoring convention delegates over voters.

Lawmakers are also likely to consider changes that would require candidates to file petitions in the public records. It’s not a bad idea.

Another proposal would create an independent office to conduct and monitor elections, similar to what many other states do with an elected secretary of state or similar appointed office. Currently, it is the lieutenant governor of the state who assumes these functions.

Independence and transparency are good things. This change wouldn’t necessarily be bad either. However, again, it is not clear what problem would be solved, or why a politically appointed official would be better than an elected lieutenant governor. As always, much will depend on the character and integrity of the person assuming such a role.

The nation’s election system, which is separately governed by 50 states and administered by 3,244 separate counties, has been under unfair attack since 2020. Utah’s system has been proven to be fair and accurate. The last thing the state needs is changes for the sake of it, especially if they jeopardize trusted and popular systems.