Park Record, January 3, 2024--Candidate filing period moved from March to first week in January.
Summit County residents who are considering running for office will have to make their decision a lot sooner than in the past.
The candidate filing period for the 2024 election started on Tuesday and will be open until 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. The filing window has historically been held in March, but a law passed last year moved it to the first week in January for elections during even-numbered years.
The state’s Democratic and Republican parties supported the change because it ensures candidates declare their intent to run before caucus events are held. Both political parties in Summit County will host caucus night on March 5.
Utah is one of a few states that still rely on a caucus system. The event is the first opportunity for voters to participate in the election process as delegates chosen on caucus night go on to participate in their political party’s county and state nominating conventions.
These individuals are tasked with choosing a nominee from their party for the general election ballot. A primary election is held if no candidate receives at least 60% of the delegate vote in races with multiple people running from the same party.
The change of date allows the public to speak with the candidates and learn about their platforms before choosing which delegates will go on to the larger party conventions.
Candidates who want to make it onto the ballot by gathering signatures must also announce their intent to file during the same period. County offices require people to collect signatures from 3% of registered voters in the district and who are permitted by the candidate’s political party to vote in its primary election.
The deadline for write-in candidates to file is Sept. 3.
Registered voters have until Jan. 9 to change their political party affiliation for the primary election. County clerks are expected to start mailing ballots on Feb. 13.
Voters must register by 5 p.m. on Feb. 23, although in-person registration will be accepted with two forms of identification on Election Day, March 5.
Summit County voters are tasked with selecting three people to serve at-large on the Summit County Council. Chair Roger Armstrong and County Councilor Tonja Hanson said they will seek reelection. Vice Chair Malena Stevens will not run again. Three Democratic candidates and one Republican have announced their plans to campaign for her seat. The ballot will also include the county assessor, recorder and treasurer positions.
There will be a midterm election held for the sheriff to fill a vacancy left by Justin Martinez, too. Sheriff Frank Smith was appointed by the Democratic Party to fill the remainder of his term, but a candidate from either party can now launch a campaign. The winner would serve until 2026.
Three open school board seats will also be on the ballot for the Park City School District, the North Summit School District and the South Summit School District. Seat 5 on the South Summit School Board will also be up for election to fill a vacancy.
The 2024 ballot also includes the presidential and gubernatorial elections as well as races for state Senate District 3 and Utah House of Representatives for Districts 4, 23, 59 and 68. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Call the Summit County Clerk’s Office at 435-336-3204 or email elections@summitcounty.org for more information.