BRIDGET
Hey everyone and welcome to a special edition of our weekly news podcast, Summit in Six.
As many of you may know, municipal election season is right around the corner, but in case you missed it, earlier this summer, Utah Governor Spencer Cox issued a set of proclamations, moving the primary and general election dates for this year.
The reason for the delay is the resignation of Utah Congressman Chris Stewart, who represents the state’s second district. This covers Salt Lake City and the southwest rural part of the state, including Tooele and St. George. His resignation is effective Sept. 15.
Under Utah law, the governor had seven days to determine a schedule to replace Stewart with a special election, which the legislature had to approve, and the schedule shifted the dates for the municipal elections.
With that, let’s get going. Today we have with us Summit County Clerk, Eve Furse, to answer some questions about the upcoming election season.
EVE > BRIDGET
Thank you so much for having me on, Bridget. Before we start on the more specific details, I just want to emphasize to your listeners the importance of voting in your municipal, or local, elections. They are the time where we are really deciding on the people who make decisions that truly impact our day to day lives. So, if your district is holding an election this year, please get out and vote!
BRIDGET > EVE
Absolutely! I hope today’s conversation makes this year’s local elections more accessible to our community.
If you’re listening…today’s episode will cover all you need to know about this year’s Primary Election! We will be back in a few weeks to do another download on the 2023 General Election.
But before we get into all things Primary Election, Eve when are this year’s elections, both primary and general, happening?
EVE > BRIDGET
Like you mentioned earlier, Bridget, back in June, the Governor moved the primary and general election dates for this year in order to accommodate for a special election following the resignation of Utah Congressman Chris Stewart.
This year’s Primary Election date has been moved to September 5, 2023 and this year’s General Election date has been moved to November 21, 2023.
BRIDGET > EVE
Thanks, Eve. Are these date shifts a permanent change?
EVE > BRIDGET
No! It’s important to note that these changes are not permanent and only pertain to this year’s elections.
BRIDGET > EVE
Ok awesome! Thanks for clarifying. Back to focusing on just the Primary. You mentioned earlier, to get out and vote, IF your district is having an election this year. What primary elections are being held this year?
EVE > BRIDGET
There will be Primary Elections held for…
- Coalville City, which is residents with 84017 zip code
- Park City, which is only residents with the 84060 zip code
- South Summit Fire District, which is for residents who live in the following precincts: Francis East and West, Kamas North and South, Oakley North and South, Peoa, South Summit East, South Summit West, South Summit South, and Weber Canyon.
BRIDGET > EVE
What if people aren’t sure what precinct they fall in?
EVE > BRIDGET
That could be understandable, especially after the redistricting in 2020. Luckily, we have a great online Interactive Map that helps our community identify their voting district — all they have to do is type in their address! You can access the map at summitcounty.info/precinctmaps.
BRIDGET > EVE
That sounds like an awesome tool! Thanks for sharing that. Eve, what if folks aren’t registered to vote right now, but want to vote in the Primary election?
EVE > BRIDGET
It’s not too late! The deadline to register and receive a vote by mail ballot for the Primary Election is August 25, 2023. The easiest way to register if you have an up to date driver’s license is to go to voter.utah.gov. Voters who are not registered by that date, but are otherwise eligible to vote, may vote provisionally in early voting and in person on Election Day.
BRIDGET > EVE
Can you explain what voting provisionally means quickly?
EVE > BRIDGET
Sure! Voting provisionally is where you come to vote but we’re missing your information. For example, maybe you forget your ID or aren’t actually registered to vote yet. So, we just ask you to give us a little bit more information by filling out an envelope that asks all the required details. If you’re not registered to vote, we’ll need to ask you for proof of both your physical residence and your identity. If you don’t have any of that with you, we still let you vote provisionally. You will fill out that same envelope and then you have five days from election day to bring in your proof of address and identity. When we receive that, we can count your vote. If we don’t get all the information we need to verify that you are entitled to vote, then we won’t count your vote.
BRIDGET > EVE
Alright, now that we know WHAT elections are happening, and covered getting registering to vote, let’s talk about HOW people can vote.
EVE > BRIDGET
Let’s! So, active registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail about three weeks before the election and there are several ways to return their ballot: by Mail, through Dropbox and In Person!
BRIDGET > EVE
And, we’re going to cover each method, but first, let’s talk about early voting. Is that an option for folks for the Primary elections this year?
EVE > BRIDGET
Yes, of course! Early voting for the Primary Elections will take place on August 29, August 30, August 31 and on September 1. Voters will be able to vote early at the top floor of the Marsac Building in Park City and at my office in the Courthouse in Coalville from 8am – 5pm.
BRIDGET > EVE
And, for our listeners, all the location information can be found at summitcounty.info/2023elections, which as always we’ll be sure to link in the show notes!
Ok, let’s move on to voting by mail. What does that look like for this year’s primary?
EVE > BRIDGET
Sure, so for the Primary Elections, ballots must be postmarked by September 5, 2023.
BRIDGET > EVE
Isn’t that Election Day? I thought ballots usually must be postmarked the day before an election?
EVE > BRIDGET
Normally, yes, that is the case. Thanks for pointing that out. But, the Primary this year falls on the Labor Day Holiday, so voters get an extra day.
BRIDGET > EVE
What address do voters return their completed ballots?
Don’t stress about figuring out where to mail their completed ballot to! All ballots, for both the primary and general elections, are mailed out with a preprinted return envelope that voters must sign, so there’s no need to worry about a return address.
BRIDGET > EVE
That’s awesome! I’ll reiterate for our listeners that if you’re returning your ballot by mail, please remember to sign it before mailing it back!
Ok, so what about utilizing drop boxes this year?
EVE > BRIDGET
Of course. So, for the Primary Election, if voters plan to use drop boxes, completed ballots must be in a box before 8:00 p.m. on September 5th.
Dropbox locations for the Primary are…the Marsac Building in Park City, The Market at Park City, the Quinn’s Health Department Building on Round Valley Drive, the Coalville Branch of the Summit County Library, the Summit County Courthouse, and the Kamas Branch of the Summit County Library.
Some of those Drop Boxes are located inside, for example, the one at The Market and the Courthouse, so make sure to check operating hours which can be found at summitcounty.info/2023elections.
BRIDGET > EVE
Thanks, Eve! Ok, so we’ve covered early voting, voting by mail, and drop boxes. Let’s discuss election day voting locations.
EVE > BRIDGET
Definitely! As we’ve stated, Primary Election Day is September 5, 2023. Voters will be able to get assistance voting and vote in person at the following locations from 7 am – 8 pm…
The Council Chambers in the Marsac Building, Coalville City Hall’s Council Chambers, and the Kamas Branch of the Summit County Library in the Main Floor Conference Room.
BRIDGET > EVE
And, one last time, these locations can be found at summitcounty.info/2023elections – also found in the show notes!
What about if people have trouble using a by-mail ballot?
EVE > BRIDGET
We have a couple different options. Folks can come to vote in-person, either at early voting or on election day, and the voting machines are enabled to work with accessible devices, they capability to alter text size, and they can read aloud the ballot for people. Alternatively, if you don’t want to vote in-person, folks also have the ability to vote electronically through enhanced voting. To learn more about this option, please contact the Clerk’s Office at elections@summitcounty.org or 435-336-3040.
BRIDGET > EVE
Ok, let’s talk about the canvas. What exactly is a canvas?
EVE > BRIDGET
Definitely! The canvass is when the governing body of the entity having an election receives the election results, examines them, and decides whether to approve them as final or request more information, clarification, or documentation. Once approved, the results of the election for that entity are final.
BRIDGET > EVE
Ok that makes sense. When is the canvass for the Primary happening?
EVE > BRIDGET
The canvass for the Primary Election will take place on September 19, 2023 at the entity having the election, so at Coalville, Park City, South Summit Fire District.
BRIDGET > EVE
Ok, I think my last question is where can people find sample ballots or candidate information for this year’s primary?
EVE > BRIDGET
People can find sample ballots for their precincts at the Clerk’s Webpage at summitcounty.org/elections right there on the landing page.
For candidate information or general questions about the 2023 Municipal Elections please contact your city, town, or special service district. Also vote.utah.gov is the Lt. Governor’s page and will have links to candidate bios.
If you don’t know who to contact, don’t worry, my office has gathered all relevant contact information for each municipality, and it can be found on the Clerk’s Webpage at summitcounty.org/elections right there on the landing page.
All of the URL’s we just mentioned are linked at the top of summitcounty.info/2023elections.
BRIDGET > EVE
Thanks! I think that’s pretty much all the questions I have for you. Do you think there’s anything I’m missing?
EVE > BRIDGET
Yes, I would just push that people should vote and they should vote early! In order to encourage people to vote early we are hosting Vote Early Day on August 25. We did this last year for the General Election and the community really seemed to enjoy it.
We’ll be at drop box locations around the county, including The Market at Park City, the Kamas Branch of the Summit County Library, and at the Clerk’s Office at the Courthouse in Coalville, with “I Voted” stickers and treats celebrating people who come out and drop their ballots in the drop box! We’ll also have information about voting if you have any questions. It also happens to be the last day you can register to vote for the primaries, so you can come out and register right there with us too!
The importance of voting, particularly in these municipal elections, cannot be overstated. In 2021, there were only three votes that separated the last candidate who made it into the general election and the next highest vote getter in Coalville’s County Council race. That really shows what a difference your vote can make. It’s these votes that determine who gets to run for the actual seats! You shouldn’t just wait for the November elections.
BRIDGET > EVE
Wow that really shows that every vote, especially in these local races, DOES count!
OK, Before we wrap up, I’ll say one last plug for summitcounty.info/2023elections. All the information we talked about today is right there for you to refer back to!
In addition, like I mentioned at the beginning of this episode, we will be back after the Primary Elections, to do a similar download on all the information you’ll need to know about the 2023 Municipal General Election!
And last, but certainly not least, please follow the County’s social media channels for more information and updates on all things elections moving forward. Our handles are @ summitcountyut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Eve, thank you SO much for being here.
EVE > BRIDGET
Thank you for having me!
BRIDGET
That’s all for now on Summit in Six. See you next time!
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