Received a Letter About Changes to Voter Privacy?

Did you receive notification from the Utah Lt. Governor’s office informing you that your voter registration record may become public? Watch Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson explain the bill and read more below.

I received a notice from the Office of the Utah State Lieutenant Governor that my voter registration record may become public. What do I need to know?  

If you received a notice from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, it means your voter registration record, currently classified as protected, will become public under S.B. 153 - Election Amendments which was signed into law by the Governor, removing most voter record privacy protections. More than 300,000 voters have already been notified that some of their information will soon become available to those requesting to see the state's voter registration list and paying a fee to do so. More than one million notifications are expected to be sent by mid April.

What is changing?

Beginning May 25, 2026, most previously private voter records will be reclassified as public, unless voters take action and apply for additional protection. Records that are public will be viewable on the Utah voter registration list, which is available to the public upon request for a fee.

What do I need to do to keep my information private?

To maintain a protected (non-public) record, you must:

  • Qualify as an “at-risk voter”, and

  • Submit an at-risk designation request form to the Lt. Governor’s office or your county clerk by May 6, 2026. 

A form and prepaid return envelope were included with your notice. If you do not apply or do not qualify, your voter registration record will become publicly available. 

Who qualifies as an at-risk voter?

You may qualify if you are, or live with someone who is:

  • A victim of or who is threatened with domestic violence, stalking or dating violence

  • A law enforcement officer

  • A member of the armed forces

  • A public figure

  • Protected by a court order

Unless you are a victim of or threatened with domestic or dating violence, you may be asked by the election official to provide documentation when applying.

What information becomes public if I do nothing?

If your previously withheld record becomes public, the following information may be disclosed. Note this is the same information currently available to the public across most states.

  • Full legal name 

  • Voter identification number assigned

  • Residential  and mailing address

  • Age range

  • Voting precinct and districts

  • Party affiliation

  • Voter status (active/inactive)

  • Voting history (whether you voted in the past 8 years, not how you voted)

While basic registration records are public, the following personal information is considered strictly private and protected for all voters and may only be disclosed to authorized  government entities for election administration purposes: Social Security number, driver’s license state ID number, full birthdate, phone number, email, and signature.

Can I apply later if I miss the deadline?

Yes. You may apply for at-risk status at any time. However:

  • Your information will become public starting May 25, 2026 if you miss the deadline

  • Your record will only be protected after your application is approved

Important: Petition Signing and Privacy

Even if you are an at-risk voter, if you sign a petition, signing a petition may still result in limited public disclosure (such as voter ID and signature date).

Are the changes required by the passage of S.B.153 tied to the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against the Lt. Governor?

No. S.B. 153 explicitly limits disclosure to standard voter data only. The DOJ's initial memorandum of understanding and subsequent lawsuit filed against the Lt. Governor seeks sensitive information that exceeds what's available publically, and would include SSN, Utah ID/DL, full date of birth and possibly other private information which comes into the state's possession and is not part of federal election records.  The Lt. Governor’s recent request to federal court to dismiss the lawsuit argues that federal law doesn't require states to turn over sensitive private information of their voters and that the department hadn't stated a valid reason for demanding the information. 

Are these changes related to the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against the Lt. Governor?

No. S.B. 153 is separate from the DOJ lawsuit. The law limits public disclosure to standard voter data only (such as name, address, and voting history). It does not make sensitive personal information public. By contrast, the DOJ lawsuit seeks access to non-public, sensitive data,  such as Social Security numbers, driver license or state ID numbers, and full dates of birth, which are not part of publicly available voter records. ​​The Lt. Governor has asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that federal law does not require states to provide this sensitive information and that the DOJ has not justified its request.

Where can I get more information or apply?

Visit the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office webpage:                   

Understanding Your Voter Registration Privacy https://vote.utah.gov/voter-privacy-information/.  

You can also contact your county clerk’s office for assistance.

League Note

The League of Women Voters of Utah encourages all voters to review their privacy status and understand their options, especially those who may have safety concerns. The League opposed S.B. 153 as this change could make people less safe by disclosing where they live if they don’t apply or qualify for at-risk classification. It’s estimated that 40% of Utah voters had previously opted for information to be withheld or requested at-risk classification,