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What is considered public information could possibly change for Utah voters.
Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, has proposed a bill that would eliminate the day and month of a voter's birth date from public information. "I'm just saying it's an identity theft problem," said Donnelson. "I'm just concerned with identity fraud, and am trying to tighten things up a little bit." So far, nine states plus Washington, D.C., have eliminated the entire birth date, including the year, from what information is open to the public. Three states -- Michigan, New Mexico and Vermont -- have eliminated just the day and month as Donnelson is trying to accomplish. "When I called them," Donnelson said, "they said they have not had any problem with eliminating the dates and have not had any complaints." The bill, which was scheduled to be discussed on the House floor on Thursday, was circled and pulled until further research could be done. "Identity theft is the highest crime in Utah, according to the Attorney General's Office," Donnelson said. "Not to mention probably in the United States. I just feel like this is important to help stop the highest escalating crime we are faced with." HB 25, Access to Voter Date of Birth Records Sponsor: Rep. Glenn Donnelson R-North Ogden The bill would eliminate the day and month of a voter's birth date from public information. |
