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Election day is almost upon us — ballots for registered voters in Utah are heading to mailboxes today. The last day you can request a mail ballot is Oct. 29.
There’s a lot on the ballot this year. Besides the presidential election, Utahns can vote for governor, attorney general, auditor, a senator and congressional leaders, among other local and countywide races.
Read more for everything you need to know about registration deadlines, how to vote and what to expect on your ballot.
Utah audit finds errors in signature verification for Cox, Curtis and Brown
A legislative audit found errors in the verification of signatures submitted by Gov. Spencer Cox, Rep. John Curtis and attorney general candidate Derek Brown.
According to the audit, a small percentage of signatures were rejected that should have been accepted, and others were accepted that should have been rejected. State lawmakers released a statement saying these would not have affected the primary election’s outcome for any of the candidates.
Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson released a statement in response to the audit, saying they “respect the efforts of legislative auditors and their recognition that the Cox campaign fully complied with the law.”
A legislative subcommittee reviewed the findings Tuesday and released recommendations for changes to state law in response to the audit.
Read more about the audit and how it could change state law.
Gov. Spencer Cox announced Tuesday that Utah is forming a new task force to combat the fentanyl epidemic.
Fentanyl-involved overdose deaths have risen 437% in Utah since 2019, and the number of pills seized and positive crime lab tests of fentanyl have also increased steadily.
“The number of overdose deaths in 2023 reached the highest number on record in Utah at 606 deaths. Two-hundred-ninety of overdose deaths in 2023 were fentanyl related,” said Cox.
“Our goal with this task force is to reduce demand for prevention and treatment, reduce root causes of fentanyl abuse and disrupt fentanyl trafficking networks,” Cox said. The Utah Public Safety Commissioner Jess Anderson was asked to lead the task force, which include local, state and federal agencies as well as elected officials.
Read more about the fentanyl crisis in Utah and how state officials plan to address it.
More in Utah
Is there a way for Utah, the feds to eliminate ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water? (Deseret News)
Miller Foundation donates $25M for new arts center in South Jordan (Deseret News)
A college degree is losing respect? Utahns would like a word (Deseret News)
Southern Utah residents concerned for safety after slew of crashes on same day (KUTV)
FROM OUR SPONSOR UTAH PUBLIC LANDS
Let Utah Manage Utah Land
Utah has filed a landmark lawsuit over control of unappropriated federal lands. State statute prohibits the privatization of public lands except in rare circumstances, underscoring Utah’s commitment to keeping public lands in public hands and locally controlled. Learn more: standforourland.utah.gov.
The Nation
NASA launches probe seeking life’s ingredients on this watery moon of Jupiter (Deseret News)
True Value files for bankruptcy, sells out to rival Do It Best (Deseret News)
Politics
Thomas B. Griffith: Claims of a stolen election undermine our democracy (Deseret News)
Harris, Trump speak directly to Latter-day Saint voters (Deseret News)
Arizona’s largest swing county prepares for a close presidential election (Deseret News)
Jacob Hess: If you could escape all the anger about politics, would you want to? (Deseret News)
The World
Israeli strike rocks Beirut after US says it opposes scope of air assault (Reuters)
In the heartland of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, the old ways have changed and violence rages (The Associated Press)
Witnesses to Israeli strike on Gaza hospital compound saw 'so many people burning' (BBC)
Sports
Midseason examination: No. 13 BYU deserves mostly high grades midway through 2024 campaign (Deseret News)
Jazz appear regular season ready in preseason win over Kings (Deseret News)
What Bronco Mendenhall said about the Aggies (Deseret News)
As Utah turns page to the Isaac Wilson era, can Utes’ red-zone offense get back on track? (Deseret News)
Faith
What struggling faith groups can learn from American Muslims (Deseret News)
The religious controversy that put a top pop star on my radar (Deseret News)
Health
Changes to ponder during Medicare open enrollment (Deseret News)
Parasitic outbreak in North Carolina traced to undercooked bear meat, CDC says (NBC)
Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!
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