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01-09-2022, 05:16 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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Establishing residence in Utah
I’ve been Googling but can’t find an answer to my question of how to establish a domicile address in Utah for voting as a full-time RVer. All the articles I read talk about mail forwarding and then discuss the best tax states. But I work for a Utah-based company and want to keep my domicile address here until I retire, no matter where I may be traveling. How do I do this?
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01-09-2022, 06:21 PM
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#3
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daquenzer
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That information is from a moving company's website. Not sure of its accuracy.
Here is something directly from the Utah voting information page:
2. What are the requirements to register?
You must meet certain requirements to register to vote in Utah. You must be:
A U.S. Citizen;
A resident of Utah for at least 30 days before the election; and
18 years old on or before the day of the election.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can pre-register to vote. If you pre-register, you will automatically be registered to vote when you turn 18 years old.
3. Am I considered a resident of Utah?
You are considered a resident of Utah if your principal place of residence is in the state and you have the intention of making your residence here permanent or indefinite. If you have additional questions, please contact your county clerk.
For voter registration purposes, you are required to be a resident for 30 days immediately prior to election day
For more information see the page yourself: https://voteinfo.utah.gov/learn-abou...ering-to-vote/
You should probably contact the county clerk in the county where you have an address, and if you don't have an address then perhaps the county clerk in the county where your employer is. They will be the only ones with the accurate information regarding how to establish residency in Utah if you are full timing in an RV.
Might actually be easier for you to accomplish this by getting a one month+ rental for a camp site in Utah, switching over your license, and using the campground as your initial address. Or, if you have family or friends there see if you can use their address.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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01-09-2022, 06:38 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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Thanks for this info. I have an address now. I live in an apartment. I’ll be moving into my trailer in June. I plan to be around here a lot, either in campgrounds or boondocking. How do people go about establishing a physical address for voting in tax-friendly states like South Dakota or Texas and is it the same process in all other states? I don’t have relatives here so using their address is not an option.
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01-09-2022, 06:51 PM
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#5
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,567
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Each state has its own rules.
The states which have the most ideal tax situation are on the lookout for people wanting to claim residence just for the tax advantages, as are the states which people tend to leave. One should be careful to dot all the I's and cross all the T's so that neither the old or new state thinks something is amiss. There have been more than a few high-profile cases in recent years of people changing their residence on paper taking all the other steps and getting caught.
If you're already in Utah, have an address, and meet the time requirements then I'm not sure what the problem would be. Probably best to change your drivers license, license plates, and insurance if you haven't already. But then again, I'm not a lawyer. Might be worth an hour or so of time with a lawyer to get a clear answer if you're unsure after talking with the county clerk.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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01-09-2022, 07:07 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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Establishing residence in Utah
I don’t think I’ve been able to state my question clearly, probably because this is new to me! What do I change my address *to* since I’ll be moving between campgrounds and boondocking? I don’t think I can use a PO Box on my license or to vote. How do I get an acceptable address for those two things?
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01-09-2022, 07:20 PM
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#7
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DawneS
I don’t think I’ve been able to state my question clearly, probably because this is new to me! What do I change my address *to* since I’ll be moving between campgrounds and boondocking? I don’t think I can use a PO Box on my license or to vote. How do I get an acceptable address for those two things?
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Not understanding - you live in an apartment now, correct? In Utah, correct? Once you have yourself established as a resident and have met the time-in-state requirements you don't lose your residency just because you no longer have an address.
On a different, but related, note. Homeless people are still eligible to vote and are still residents. Much more difficult for them to demonstrate this since they are not at one address, but not having a sticks & bricks home doesn't mean you're not a resident.
Back to the issue - if you have an address now, in Utah, you should definitely establish your residency now. Then when you no longer have that apartment and move into your trailer you'll probably have to contact the local jurisdiction and find out from them what is required to keep things like your voter registration and your drivers license current. For voting purposes you'll want to contact the person responsible for voter registration - and it sounds like that's the county clerk.
In some states having a mailing address is sufficient. In others you actually have to have a residential address. I've heard that there are campgrounds in some states which allow people to continue to use their address as a mailing address even after they leave the campground, ostensibly since they have intentions of returning to the campground. Ask around in your area to get the information most applicable to where you are.
One other thing that gives you an advantage - it sounds like you'll be in Utah for more than 6 months by the time you move into your trailer. In many states being out of the state 6 months (with no intention of resuming residency there) is what's required to demonstrate that you've abandoned your old residency status.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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01-09-2022, 07:47 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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Yes, I live here now and have for over 7 years. Work here. Vote here. Pay taxes here. I just want to know how to get an address to put on my license for after I leave my apartment to live in the trailer. Sounds like I need to contact the county clerk and/or DMV and ask. Thanks again.
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01-09-2022, 07:51 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1962 28' Ambassador
1961 19' Globetrotter
1962 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,996
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You might be interested in the website for Escapees (and Xscapers) as they specialise in information to full time Rvers of retirement age and younger folks still working and traveling with family. They have current domicile information for the various states.
__________________
Hittenstiehl
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01-09-2022, 07:56 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl
You might be interested in the website for Escapees (and Xscapers) as they specialise in information to full time Rvers of retirement age and younger folks still working and traveling with family. They have current domicile information for the various states.
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Thanks. I have looked at their site but I’ve only seen that they offer SD, TX and FL. Maybe I should reach out in case they offer other states and just don’t advertise them.
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01-10-2022, 10:45 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,161
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There are services such as UPS store mailboxes that say they work like a real street address. Not sure if it's good enough for legal residence or not.
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01-10-2022, 11:37 AM
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#12
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,567
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It might also be worth a call to one of the local homeless advocacy groups. They likely have advice for people who don't have an address for whatever reason but need to maintain voter registration and a drivers license.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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01-10-2022, 12:13 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
Napa
, California
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 466
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There are services that collect and forward your mail from their location so you have a valid mailing address in the state. Second part is to keep your licenses, registrations and taxes paid with that original state and mailing address.
Check locally to see exactly what they require.
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01-10-2022, 01:13 PM
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#14
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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I lived in Utah for a number of years, so establishing residency then wasn't a big issue then. Contacting your county clerk's office is a good idea. Ideally talk to the County Clerk or a senior staff member, as I found the new ones do not always know the finer (but critical) details.
However, be careful if you request an absentee ballot because that was a point at which I lost my residency (and franchise) since I honestly said I wasn't returning (moving to Canada.) Each state sets its own voting restrictions and Utah did not honor the fact that ex-pats cannot legitimately claim residency in another state.
Typically the residency deities want to see that you have an in-state driver's license, pay monthly bills (like utilities) and taxes in the state, and get your vehicle/s registered there. Have a street address vs. a PO box if possible.
Finding an RV park that allows long-term stays (vs. a mobile/manufactured home park) and doesn't charge too much seems ideal if they would agree to accept your mail at their address.
If SLC is your base of operations, this might not work too well, but we spent a fair bit of time in and around St. George, with its huge snowbird population, and their parks seem more set up for long-term stays. We generally stayed at the Temple View RV park as a jumping-off point for desert camping. Their staff were super helpful, and they may have advice for you re: long-term berths, with the understanding that you'd be in-and-out frequently.
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01-10-2022, 03:46 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2003 30' Classic S/O
Riverdale
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 48
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Also useful to have assets in the state. E.g., bank accounts.
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01-10-2022, 04:10 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
2016 30' International
1957 18' Wanderer
Marfa
, Everywhere
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 104
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Ever since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the federal government has upped their game ......they do not allow PO boxes to be used as permanent addresses. The banks have to adhere to these laws. You cannot open an account with a brokerage firm without a bricks and mortar address. The states serviced by Escapees (Florida, South Dakota, and Texas) have somehow made it easier to establish a "domicile" at a bricks and mortar building where the Escapees company is headquartered in each state. That being said, Escapees council prospective clients to do a whole bunch of things to at least make it look like you have an interest in Texas in case your domicile is ever challenged.....We have used them for over 3 years (in Texas) with excellent service. We vote in Texas, although they have just made that harder to do by absentee ballot. The state of Utah probably has decided that they prefer folks who stay at an address over those that don't ....as you can see, most states have done the exact same thing. Good luck, and let us know what you find out.
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01-10-2022, 04:52 PM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I’ll keep pursuing this. I won’t be out of my apartment until June 30 so I have some time to continue to research. I have a question in to the drivers licensing bureau asking what they require in this situation. I’ll also have to check with voter registration and also find out what my credit union and credit card will accept. Next I’ll check with campgrounds and see if they have any arrangements for long-term stays that fit within my budget. If I can’t make it work I guess I’ll do the Texas thing with Escapees though I really wanted to retain my residence in Utah until retirement several years from now. Appreciate everyone’s input!
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01-11-2022, 01:39 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Wenatchee
, Washington
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 512
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Can you use your work address?
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 SLT CTD 4X4 pickup
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 27FB
WBCCI #7180
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01-11-2022, 02:43 PM
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#19
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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I think the RV parks have a lot of discretion. I noticed that Temple View in St. George had mail service for snowbird RVers; but we once inquired at another RV park where we were staying longer, and they did not. It was use General Delivery at the Post Office, or forget about it.
Another thing with some of the bigger RV parks is that they allow owner-occupied "park models" which are stationary and likely used year-round. I should think such a place would have mail service for traveling RVers as well.
If we wanted to keep a pied-à-terre in Utah but basically RV full-time, we'd probably look around for an inexpensive but nice-enough RV park and then chat with the managers. Some RV parks have much lower monthly rates, but if you plan to be away a lot, you could probably plug in your dates with the management so they could book your site to someone else when you're gone.
The location might have something to do with how you feel about winter driving while towing your AS, plus winterizing and de-winterizing. You could probably get by without it in a place like St. George. Park City, not so much.
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01-12-2022, 06:04 AM
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#20
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1 Rivet Member
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 15
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More thanks for the additional replies. I have not specifically asked my employer about using my work address, but I’m doubtful I would be allowed. The RV park idea is a possibility. I will be taking it somewhere else for winter at least part of the time since SLC gets too cold on occasion. Possibly St George area, AZ or NM. Or park it & winterize and stay at my partner’s house.
I have been in contact with a manager at the driver’s license bureau and have it in writing that a UPS mailbox street address will work for my drivers license. Have to see if my credit union is okay with that address.
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