Excuses – we’ve all heard them; we’ve all used them. They may ease the guilty conscience for a time, but they hurt us by confronting our duty.
As Lieutenant Governor, my goal has been to get as many Utahns registered and out to the polls as possible. In 2010, our office partnered with county clerks throughout the state to launch Utah’s online voter registration website. Today, eligible Utahns can register to vote online, as well as update their personal voter information, change their party affiliation, and even request an absentee ballot – all from the convenience of their workplace or even in their jammies at home.
Utah was one of the first three states nationwide to offer online registration; currently we’re the only state to offer both online registration and an online absentee ballot application. The online absentee application simplifies the process of requesting an absentee ballot, which is particularly helpful to those Utahns who are temporarily residing outside the state. Military and overseas voters can also choose their desired method of delivery (email, fax, domestic address or international address).
In addition to simplifying the registration process and making absentee ballots more accessible, these online tools provide a significant cost savings to state and local governments. Last year, the Center for Digital Government recognized Utah’s online voter registration program as a “Top Government-to-Citizen Website.”
Utah is leading out in connecting government to its citizens. At vote.utah.gov, Utahns can take advantage of other helpful tools to view a sample ballot and customized Voter Information Guide, learn about election-day ID requirements, sign up to receive reminders via email or text message, and find their polling place and early voting locations – voters can even check on wait times before they go vote.
These innovative tools make participating in elections more accessible and convenient than ever before in Utah. Unfortunately, despite all of the resources available to them, some citizens will still fail to avail themselves of their constitutional right to vote–one of the greatest of duties and privileges.
Utah’s Primary Election is Tuesday, June 26th. Right now, dozens of early voting locations are open throughout the state; over 55,000 Utah voters have already participated in the Primary.
Our pledge is that every vote matters, every vote is counted, and that your vote in the ballot box holds as much weight as any member of Congress or the President. George Washington famously penned in a letter to his niece Harriet, “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” Please vote. Then proudly wear your “I Voted” sticker.
