Rep. Jefferson Burton wants to overhaul Utah's mail-in voting system to prevent fraud. But when confronted with an actual confession of felony voter fraud, the election integrity champion appears to have looked the other way.
Burton's bill, HB300, would dramatically restrict Utah's mail-in voting system. While voters could still receive ballots by mail, they would be required to return them in person with valid identification — a significant change to the state's decade-old vote-by-mail system.
During an online meeting with the far-right Utah Citizens for the Constitution group on Monday night, Burton shared a striking admission. According to a recording reviewed by Utah Political Watch, a Utah voter had allegedly confessed to him about committing ballot fraud.
“I actually had a mother call me and proudly tell me that she had voted for her two missionaries that were out and signed their names on the envelope. And I had to explain that that's not acceptable. You can't do that," Burton said.
Under Utah law, fraudulently voting on behalf of another person is a third-degree felony. Anyone convicted of the crime will also have their voting rights revoked permanently.
It's unclear whether Burton reported this alleged felony to the authorities. He and a spokesperson for the Utah House of Representatives did not respond to questions.
To be fair, Burton's proposal would prevent the scenario he described in his story from happening.
The legislation, which has the backing of House Speaker Mike Schultz, was prompted by a legislative audit that revealed two voters who were deceased may have cast ballots during the 2023 municipal elections.
"The way it happens is someone registered to vote 10 years ago, and they vote every election," Burton explained. "Until the state knows they've passed away, they will continue to mail ballots. And, in the case of the ones that voted, likely one of their children or somebody who lived in the same home voted for those people and mailed them in."
While the Salt Lake County District Attorney is actively investigating these two potential cases of voter fraud, Burton appears to have taken no action on the admitted felony violation he encountered — a stark contrast to his public stance on election integrity.
Burton's bill is set for a hearing in a House committee on Tuesday afternoon.
Will you join other Utahns who've already stepped up to support this effort? Choose between a monthly subscription starting at just $5 or a one-time contribution that fits your budget.
Your investment helps maintain our independence, and dig deeper into the stories that matter to you.
Together, we can ensure Utah has the strong, independent journalism it deserves. Join us today in building a more informed, transparent, and democratic Utah.
