John,

We had over 50 people join us at Eggs in the City last week for our in-person event, and we’d love to virtually see more folks at this one! Come hang out with us at our Virtual Legislative Preview tomorrow, Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 6–7:30 PM. We’ve created a space to slow down, get oriented, and take a clear-eyed look at what’s ahead. 

It’s designed to give you a grounded look at what’s happening from our policy team, plus insight into bills we’re working on and why they matter. This session comes at a moment when environmental policy and democratic norms are under immense stress. Our response is simple: show up, stay grounded, and do the work. We hope you’ll join us.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED 🚨

At 2pm today, Wednesday, January 21st, the House Government Operations Committee will hear HB 209 Voting Amendments in House Building Room 30, and we need people in the room. This bill would force eligible voters to produce a passport or birth certificate to register or vote, opening the door to mass disenfranchisement, arbitrary challenges at the polls, and costly voter purges. Nearly 1.3 million eligible Utah voters don’t have a passport, hundreds of thousands of women have birth certificates that don’t match their current name, and similar laws elsewhere have already been struck down after tens of thousands were blocked from voting. 

How would this play out? Here are a few made up but all too predictable scenarios:

- “Cindy”, who lives in Lehi, voted in the same precinct since 2012. In 2026, she’s turned away because her birth certificate doesn’t match her married name and she doesn’t have a passport.

- "Seth", a first-time 18-year-old voter is graduating in 2026 and ready to cast his ballot. He’s blocked from registering because his estranged parent took his birth certificate during divorce proceedings, and now he has no access to it.

- “John”, who lives in Millcreek, is 84 years old and has been voting since 1964. He does not have a current passport and lost his original birth certificate when he moved into a new assisted living facility. In 2026, a poll worker challenges his citizenship and refuses him a ballot.

- Military families: Service members move, re-register, and vote often. Under HB 209, a military ID isn’t enough. Each move means new paperwork and new barriers.

- Disaster survivors: After a flood or fire destroys vital records, families must replace documents before they can vote while they’re still trying to rebuild their lives.

Claims of noncitizen voting are baseless; safeguards already exist, and the penalties are severe. Let’s be clear: HB 209 is about suppressing turnout and picking voters instead of letting voters pick their leaders. If you believe in a fair, inclusive democracy, show up today at 2 PM in House Building Room 30 and make it clear: Utah must reject HB 209 and protect every eligible citizen’s right to vote. Alternatively, the ACLU has a form for you to make your voice heard here.

Onward!

Stewardship Utah

[email protected] 

www.stewardshiputah.org