A voter drops off their ballot at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City as votes are cast in Utah’s primary election on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
Ballots for the Nov. 5 general election are starting to hit mailboxes of active registered Utah voters. Most county clerks are scheduled to mail them between Oct. 15 and Oct. 29.
This election includes races for top executive offices in the state, as well as seats in the U.S. House and Senate, and the Utah Legislature.
Though the first ballots have already been shipped, there’s still time to register to vote in this election. Those who haven’t registered still have three options to do so: online at voter.utah.gov, by submitting a paper registration form, or in person with their county clerk. All registrations must be received by county clerks by 5 p.m. on Oct. 25.
Voters who miss the Oct. 25 deadline will still be able to register to vote at an early voting or Election Day polling location with two forms of identification.
Races to watch
Apart from the high-profile presidential election where Vice President Kamala Harris faces former President Donald Trump, Utah voters will select their pick for a seat in the U.S. Senate, vacated by Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, as well as four congressional offices.
The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.
Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox is vying for reelection against Democratic, Libertarian, Independent American and unaffiliated challengers, in addition to other write-in candidates.
In the Utah Legislature, 15 out of the 29 Senate seats are up for election this year, as well as all 75 offices in the House of Representatives.
And, though ballots will show four ballot initiatives, clerks will only count the votes of two of them.
Utah News Dispatch has compiled a voter guide with important election dates and candidates’ perspectives on the state’s most pressing issues. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect on the ballot:
U.S. House – Utah 1st Congressional: Bill Campbell (D), Daniel Cottam (L), Blake Moore (R).
U.S. House – Utah 2nd Congressional: Cassie Easley (C), Celeste Maloy (R), Tyler Murset (U), Nathaniel Woodward (D).
U.S. House – Utah 3rd Congressional: Mike Kennedy (R), Glenn Wright (D).
U.S. House – Utah 4th Congressional: Evan Bullard (I), Vaugh Cook (UU), Katrina Fallick-Wang (D), Burgess Owens (R).
U.S. Senate – Utah: Carlton Bowen (IA), John Curtis (R), Caroline Gleich (D), Laird Hamblin (WI).
Utah Attorney General: Rudy Bautista (D), Derek Brown (R), Austin Hepworth (I), W. Andrew McCullough (L), Michelle Quist (UU).
Utah Auditor: Tina Cannon (R), Jeffrey Ostler (C), Catherine Voutaz (D).
Utah Governor: Spencer Cox (R), Brian King (D), Robert Latham (L), Richard Lyman (Write-in), Phil Lyman (Write-in), Charlie Tautuaa, Tom Tomeny (U), Tommy Williams (IA).
Utah Treasurer: Neil Hansen (D), Marlo Oaks (R), Miles Pomeroy (UF).
Ballot measures
Amendment A (Void): “Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to allow income tax money to be used for all state needs and prioritize public education funding for changes in enrollment and inflation? If this amendment is approved, state statute will eliminate the state sales tax on food.”
Amendment B: “Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to increase the limit on the annual distributions from the State School Fund to public schools from 4% to 5% of the fund?”
Amendment C: “Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to have the office of county sheriff be elected by voters?”
Amendment D (Void): “Should the Utah Constitution be changed to strengthen the initiative process by:
Prohibiting foreign influence on ballot initiatives and referendums.
Clarifying the voters and legislative bodies’ ability to amend laws.
If approved, state law would also be changed to:
Allow Utah citizens 50% more time to gather signatures for a statewide referendum.
Establish requirements for the legislature to follow the intent of a ballot initiative.”
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