By McKenzie Romero | Editor
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson has been in a standoff for more than a year with the U.S. Department of Justice over private voter information — social security numbers, full birth dates and driver’s license numbers — that she has refused to hand over.
Turns out, the agency has also been investigating Henderson personally during that time alleging she has “failed to comply with your duties.”
In today’s Dispatch we look at the ongoing battle over voter information and the new fight over mail ballots, still incomplete campus safety reviews one year after Charlie Kirk’s death, and the two cases a Utah Supreme Court Justice is stepping away from.
“It would be nice if the good folks at the DOJ would focus on actual problems instead of baselessly harassing election officials.” — Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson in a social media post about the agency’s investigation into her for declining to provide restricted voter information.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson listens as Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 6, 2026. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
By Alixel Cabrera
The Department of Justice letter to Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is another push from the Trump administration to obtain copies of voter lists from states, describing the information as necessary for election integrity. Some states have turned over the sensitive data; however, most have declined to release all the information on their lists, citing state and federal privacy laws.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also issued a rare comment on the standoff between Henderson and the DOJ, calling it wrong to investigate her for doing her legal duty, while Democratic Rep. Angela Romero, Utah’s House minority leader, issued a statement thanking the lieutenant governor “for standing up for the people of Utah and defending our democratic institutions.”
People visit the courtyard where Charlie Kirk was hosting an event when he was killed at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
By Annie Knox
After conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem one year ago, the college commissioned a security review, a new task force started scrutinizing campus safety and Utah lawmakers looked into changes they could mandate to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Before last year, much of the discussion surrounding campus safety in Utah revolved around sexual assault involving students. Now, Kirk’s death has put a spotlight on safety planning for events.
Third District Judge John Nielsen speaks during the announcement of his appointment to the Utah Supreme Court. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)
By Katie McKellar
A Utah Supreme Court justice now won’t participate in two cases — the first dealing with gerrymandering and another on abortion — that are each challenging the constitutionality of the Utah Legislature’s newly created rotating three-judge “constitutional court” specifically meant to hear challenges to state laws.
Utah Supreme Court Justice John Nielsen, who was first appointed to the state’s highest court last fall, has recused himself from both cases. His most recent recusal came after Planned Parenthood Association of Utah sought to disqualify him from the case stemming from an ongoing challenge to the state’s near-total abortion ban.
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