ELECTIONS

Utah County ballots say postage required, one senator says it’s a ‘political move’

Jun 6, 2024, 9:00 PM | Updated: Dec 17, 2024, 5:58 pm

A Utah County ballot drop box in 2022. Recently sent out Utah County ballots say you need to provid...

A Utah County ballot drop box in 2022. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

 

PROVO, Utah — If you vote in Utah County, you received a note with your ballot indicating that you’ll need to put a stamp on your return envelope.

Jeff Caplan spoke 👇 with Utah County Senator Mike McKell and Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson about this move.

 

A ‘mostly political’ move

Utah County Republican Senator Mike McKell, R-Salem, called this move “mostly political.”

He told KSL NewsRadio that this is the Utah County Clerk’s way of trying to convince people not to use the mail-in voting system.

“It’s political because the Utah County Commissioners actually budgeted for postage. We’ve always done postage, it’s always been covered in Utah County,” McKell said.

And it’ political, McKell said, because in Utah Count voting in person isn’t a reality for everyone. “There’s only 9 cities in Utah County where you can vote,” he said. 

Related: State Auditor says very few bathroom bill complaints made on “good faith”

There aren’t voting centers in cities like Santaquin, Salem, Eagle Mountain, or even the growing city of Vineyard, he said.

“It’s just unusual to me. Voters just need to know that if they don’t have a stamp … you can drop in your ballot. It will make it, it will count.”

Paying for the “convenience” of mail-in voting

Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson told KSL NewsRadio that the note is for those people who can’t get a postage stamp.

“I’m concerned about ballot custody. I’m trying to promote the use of our drop boxes, or voting in person, where we maintain custody over those ballots.” 

Postage stamps cost $.68 and Davidson thinks the average voter has enough dignity to want to pay for the convenience of mailing in their vote. 

“Someone has to pay the postage. If someone doesn’t put a stamp on (the ballot) that makes other taxpayers pay that postage for them,” he said.

Davidson said ultimately, he’d rather see the use of in-person voting.

“If it’s dropped off in the mailbox, we lose custody of it. I trust the U.S. postal service is doing their best … but I have no idea what’s happening in the post office.”

The takeaway

The postal service said they’ll process a ballot, whether or not it has postage

KSL NewsRadio’s Kira Hoffelmeyer contributed to this story. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections

(Ada County Clerks office) A county in Idaho is making all ballots public....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Idaho county publishing all of their 2024 ballots

A county in Idaho is making all ballots public. The clerk says it's an effort to be more transparent about the elections process.

2 months ago

The census-designated place, Eden in Weber County, will be turned into a new Utah city known as Ogd...

MIKE ANDERSON, KSL TV

Local input needed as Ogden Valley on path to become Utah’s newest city

People in the Ogden Valley have a little over a year to draw districts and elect a mayor and city council before the area becomes a new city.

3 months ago

The Utah County Clerk is defending his decision to disclose the voting method of several lawmakers....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah County Clerk defends decision to disclose voting method used by several lawmakers

The Utah County Clerk is defending how he decided to look at the voting method several lawmakers used to vote.

3 months ago

An election worker delivers ballots to the ballot processing room at the Maricopa County Tabulation...

Eric Cabrera

Utah ballot bill addressing postmark deadlines fails to advance

The ballot bill would have prevented counting mail-in ballots that arrive after polls close on Election Day.

3 months ago

vote tracking proposed law...

Don Brinkerhoff

Proposed bill would prevent people from tracking the method voters use to vote

A proposed Utah bill would prevent people from looking into what method someone used to cast their ballot when putting in their vote.

3 months ago

Annabelle Johnson votes at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov...

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News

The future of Utah elections

Utah lawmakers are planning significant electoral reforms in the upcoming legislative session after the 2024 election cycle.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Utah County ballots say postage required, one senator says it’s a ‘political move’