20A-3a-206. Writing in names — Effect of unnecessary marking of cross.
(1)
Terms Used In Utah Code 20A-3a-206
Ballot: means the storage medium, including a paper, mechanical, or electronic storage medium, that records an individual voter's vote. See Utah Code 20A-1-102
Manual ballot: means a paper document produced by an election officer on which an individual records an individual's vote by directly placing a mark on the paper document using a pen or other marking instrument. See Utah Code 20A-1-102
Mechanical ballot: means a record, including a paper record, electronic record, or mechanical record, that:
(a)
is created via electronic or mechanical means; and
(b)
records an individual voter's vote cast via a method other than an individual directly placing a mark, using a pen or other marking instrument, to record an individual voter's vote. See Utah Code 20A-1-102
Position: means a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric shape on a ballot in which the voter marks the voter's choice. See Utah Code 20A-1-102
Valid write-in candidate: means a candidate who has qualified as a write-in candidate by following the procedures and requirements of this title. See Utah Code 20A-1-102
Write-in vote: means a vote cast for an individual, whose name is not printed on the ballot, in accordance with the procedures established in this title. See Utah Code 20A-1-102
A voter may cast a write-in vote on a manual ballot by writing the name of a valid write-in candidate in the blank write-in section of the ballot.
(b)
A voter may not cast a write-in vote on a manual ballot by affixing a sticker or label with the name of a write-in candidate in the blank write-in section of the ballot.
(2)
A voter may cast a write-in vote on a mechanical ballot by:
(a)
marking the appropriate position opposite the area for entering a write-in candidate for the office sought by the candidate for whom the voter wishes to vote; and
(b)
entering the name of a valid write-in candidate in the write-in selection area.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 31, 2020 General Session Amended by Chapter 49, 2020 General Session, (Coordination Clause) Amended by Chapter 49, 2020 General Session
