After reviewing 2.1 million voter registrations, Utah’s election officials announced they found no instances of noncitizens casting ballots. The review also identified a single ineligible registrant.
The findings follow advances by Utah lawmakers in legislation requiring voters to prove U.S. citizenship prior to registration.
Currently, it is unlawful for noncitizens to vote in state and federal elections. County clerks verify citizenship through driver license or ID numbers, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, and require voters to sign an affidavit certifying their U.S. citizenship.
“We have not yet encountered anyone who voted illegally,” said Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, overseeing Utah’s elections office.
The ongoing review, which cross-references voter data with state and federal records, identified 486 registered voters with incomplete or inaccurate information. These individuals were sent letters requesting re-registration or additional documentation; 52 have since updated their information.
“I anticipate that the vast majority of these 486 are in fact citizens and just need to update their information,” Henderson stated.
Rep. Cory Maloy, R-Lehi, emphasized that even a few noncitizens voting is “a few too many.” He asserted the bill would “protect the meaning of citizenship.”
The legislation passed the Utah House by a vote of 62-13 and is now moving to the Senate for approval.
Critics argue the measure is unnecessary since voters already must attest to U.S. citizenship. Rep. Sahara Hayes, D-Millcreek, noted during legislative debate that “we only had one noncitizen on our voting rolls and they did not vote.”
The bill establishes a process for election officials to investigate citizenship status when existing databases do not provide answers. For the November general election, it requires officials to notify voters by July 1 if additional proof of citizenship is needed, allowing them 30 days to respond.
Maloy clarified that Utah lacks authority over federal elections, so noncompliance would not prevent voting in federal races.
Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, questioned the bill’s scope, but Maloy maintained only election officials could determine voter eligibility.
