Utah House panel OKs changes to voter challenges

A House committee on Thursday unanimously advanced legislation that would change how challenges to voter eligibility are handled.

HB389, which now goes to the full House, would allow both the person challenging someone's eligibility to vote, and the voter whose eligibility is challenged, to file supporting documents. Also, in a situation in which the initial decision by the election judge is appealed to a district court judge, the bill would limit the district judge to considering the evidence available to the election judge. Bill sponsor Rep. Curt Webb, R-Logan, said the proposal would help maintain the integrity of election judges.

Lincoln Shurtz, director of legislative affairs at the Utah League of Cities and Towns, said there were issues in some communities during the last municipal election and the bill would help guide election judges in how the eligibility challenge process works.

Email: twebb@sltrib.com