Federal Election Monitors Coming to Utah

With about 10 days until the 2026 midterm election, the federal government now plans to send poll watchers to the Beehive State. In this episode, host Jason Perry leads a discussion digging into this latest news. Plus we discuss Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson's clash with the DOJ, voter confidence in Utah's election system, shifting voter affiliations, and the debate surrounding Amendment B. It's a detailed look at how election administration, public trust, and political messaging are shaping Utah's electoral landscape.

THE DEEPER DIVE:
• The U.S. Dept. of Justice plans to deploy election monitors across the country, including in Utah. Our expert panel discusses why many voters in the Beehive State may never notice them. Plus, while state leaders have welcomed lawful oversight, the move is generating debate because of the broader national conversation around election security and federal involvement in elections overall.
• Earlier this year, Utah lawmakers commissioned a study to evaluate the security of the state's mail-in election system. Researchers released their findings this week and determined there is no substantial security difference between in-person and mail voting. The research also evaluated possible ways to strengthen election security. We discuss whether the benefits would outweigh the financial and logistical challenges for counties.
• New polling finds roughly three-quarters of Utah voters have confidence in state and local governments to conduct fair and accurate elections. We explore how these numbers fit into the national conversation about voting access and confidence.
• More Utah voters are moving away from formal political party affiliation, with numbers showing a notable increase in the number of unaffiliated voters in teh state. Our panel explores how dissatisfaction with national parties could be contributing to the trend, and whether these affiliation changes actually have any impact on election outcomes.
• A proposal to change Utah's constitution has emerged as a major ballot issue. Amendment B would raise the approval threshold for citizen-led initiatives that increase taxes from a simple majority to 60 percent. The debate has attracted significant attention, substantial campaign spending, and could become one of the most influential issues on Utah's ballot this election cycle.

️ FEATURING:
• Sean Higgins – Politics Reporter, KUER and Co-host, State Street Podcast
• Holly Richardson – Co-host, Inside Sources
• Daniel Woodruff – Reporter, KSL

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