Utah becomes first state to phase out universal mail ballot system

Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) signed into law legislation phasing out the Utah’s universal mail ballot system, making it the first state to repeal such a system.

Utah began sending mail ballots to all registered voters years before the practice was popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The expansion of mail-in ballot circulation to include all registered voters was met with pushback from Republicans who allege it could lead to fraud. Beehive State officials have denied any widespread fraud occurred during the implementation of the policy.