Utah

The Utah County clerk says he's tracked how politicians cast their ballots. Here's how a lawmaker responded

Published

2 months ago

October 29, 2024

The Utah County clerk says he's tracked how politicians cast their ballots. Here's how a lawmaker responded

Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson says he tracks how politicians cast their ballots.

Davidson, who wants to encourage voters to use drop boxes to return their ballots rather than the U.S. Postal Service, told the Deseret News that one of his critics, Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, is among the voters who “didn’t put a stamp on his return ballot last election. I’m not sure what he did this election.”

How does Davidson know whether McKell used a stamp or not when he mailed his ballot?

“Because I track. Every ballot envelope is tracked,” he said. “I mean, the tracking mechanism tracks who returns their ballot how. I don’t publicize it for everybody, but I think politicians that are out there advocating to make Utah County pay for your ballot return, those politicians need to be called out and said how they return their own ballot.”

Davidson said he’s tracked the way other political figures voted, too.

“I have a list of all the politicians, so I did,” the county clerk said. “But I’m not publicizing it. If they want to make a big stink the way Mike McKell did, there’s nothing in statute that says how you voted is a private record.” He said he was referring to the process used to return a ballot and that the information is collected in a data file.

Davidson said he doesn’t believe his action was inappropriate. “For politicians, I don’t think it’s inappropriate, if they’re out there advocating a process that’s not as safe and secure as another process and saying it’s the same whether you put it in the mail or vote in person. Because I don’t believe it’s the same.”

McKell said he said he intends to have Davidson’s actions reviewed, possibly by the state Elections Office.

“I think if Aaron Davidson is tracking my personal ballot, I think that crosses a serious ethical line and is extremely troubling to me,” McKell said, adding “it’s none of his business how I vote, the method I use to vote. I am entitled to a constitutionally protected private ballot.”

The state senator said he sent his June primary election ballot in without paying for postage “because a stamp is not required. I went online and made sure people knew that.” He said he put his Nov. 5 general election ballot in a drop box.

Ahead of the primary, McKell posted a picture of the ballot instructions that stated postage was now required on X, formerly known as Twitter, telling followers, “Just a reminder in Utah County, if you forget to put a stamp on your ballot, it will still be delivered. This instructional piece is mostly political from the Utah County Clerk. Postage is NOT required.”

McKell also posted a message aimed at Davidson: “This is political for you. Stop playing politics with my ballot. You need to be neutral and stop seeking your desired result” that ended with, “This is not okay or over!” In his response on X to that post, Davidson said he couldn’t “help that my predecessors wanted to use taxpayer money to win your approval.”

Utah State Code 20A-3a-202(8)(d) says, “A county that administers an election is not required to pay return postage for a ballot.” 20 of 29 Utah counties do not pay return postage.
— Aaron Davidson (@ARDavidson) June 6, 2024

Davidson said Utah County doesn’t pay for return postage on ballots to encourage voters to instead use the 28 drop boxes located in communities throughout the county, including a few that are inside municipal buildings that are available only during business hours.

“We do it because we feel that it’s safer, it’s more secure if you use our drop boxes as opposed to using the postal service. If you want the convenience of using the mail system, it’s 73 cents,” he said. Ballots without stamps are still processed, but the post office charges the county for the postage.

Davidson said it’s McKell who’s “making a political argument on that but for me, it was strictly a cost savings for the county and also to promote the use of a more secure way of returning your ballot.” Asked if that could discourage some voters, Davidson said he doesn’t “give too much credence to that argument because I’m not hearing it from the people themselves.”

The “average person” who mails their ballot in without postage, he said, is “just taking advantages of the other taxpayers.”

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Utah

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

Published

9 seconds ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

The Utah Utes have made headlines by cracking the AP Top 25 at No. 22 for the first time this season, following a hard-fought 75-67 win over Iowa State. This marks Utah’s third consecutive season being ranked, despite an unexpected coaching change early in the season. Head coach Lynne Roberts departed for the WNBA, leaving longtime assistant Gavin Petersen to step in. Under Petersen’s leadership, Utah has thrived, demonstrating resilience and cohesion.

Petersen credited the team’s ability to stay focused and overcome adversity. “Our resilient crew has stepped up and faced the adversity that’s in front of them,” Petersen said. Utah’s win over Notre Dame during a Thanksgiving tournament was a pivotal moment that signaled their strength and potential.

Utah has ‘big money’ problem with a billionaire calling NIL shots for rival

The competition for dominance in women’s college basketball continues to intensify as the Big Ten and SEC assert themselves as the sport’s premier leagues. This week’s Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll highlights the strength of both conferences, with each boasting seven ranked teams, including four in the top 10.

The Big Ten’s recent expansion with the addition of No. 1 UCLA and No. 4 USC has bolstered its claim as the top league. UCLA’s consistent performances, including a victory over South Carolina, solidify their place at the top of the rankings, earning 30 of 32 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the SEC has also grown stronger with No. 5 Texas and No. 10 Oklahoma joining the conference. South Carolina, a perennial powerhouse, remains No. 2 and will face Texas in a highly anticipated showdown.

This week, the Utes prepare for a marquee matchup, hosting No. 12 Kansas State at the Huntsman Center. This game not only pits two top-25 teams against each other but also serves as a litmus test for Utah’s aspirations in the Big 12.

As Utah continues its unbeaten run in conference play, upcoming matchups against No. 11 TCU and No. 17 West Virginia will provide further opportunities to climb the rankings and solidify their standing among the nation’s elite.

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Utah

Utah State Football Lands BYU OL Transfer From Portal

Published

8 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

Utah State Football Lands BYU OL Transfer From Portal

LOGAN, Utah- Since the winter transfer portal opened on December 9, 2024, and closed on December 28, 2024, players across the country have left their current teams to find new homes, and teams have been active in recruiting these players to recoup losses and strengthen their rosters.

The transfer portal is especially important for a team like the Utah State Aggies, who just hired Bronco Mendenhall and a brand-new coaching staff.

Utah State Football Fills Out 2025 Schedule With SEC Tilt

Former Weber State Wildcat and BYU Cougar Jake Eichorn entered the transfer portal at the end of December and will be headed to his third stop in the Beehive State as he has committed to play his final year of eligibility for the Utah State Aggies.

ALL IN. 🤘@USUFootball @CoachAcitelli pic.twitter.com/eqKgTGCIe5
— Jake Eichorn (@EichornJake) January 6, 2025
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Eichorn spent two seasons as a member of the Weber State Wildcats between 2021-2023. Following his time in Ogden, Jake entered the transfer portal ranked as a three-star interior offensive lineman.

Eichorn chose to head down I-15 to Provo, where he spent a year as a backup offensive lineman for the BYU Cougars.

Eichorn then hit the portal for the third time in his collegiate career, landing in Logan where he will play for first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

About Jake Cichorn Before College

Prior to the start of his college career, the former Beaver High School standout helped the Beavers win back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020.

Eichorn was one of the best high school football players in the state of Utah and signed with Weber State in December 2020. The offensive lineman sat out his first season with the Wildcats in 2021.

Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

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