BRIDGET
Hey everyone and welcome to a special edition of our weekly news podcast, Summit in Six.
Earlier this year, we sat down with Summit County Clerk, Eve Furse, to talk about all things Municipal Primary Elections. We covered when the primaries were taking place, how, where and when you could vote, the importance of voting in local elections, and much more.
This time, we’re back to cover the 2023 Municipal GENERAL Elections. This conversation with Eve will give YOU the information you’ll need to successfully cast your vote later next month!
With that said, Eve, thanks for being here AGAIN!
EVE > BRIDGET
Thanks for having me back, Bridget! I’m happy to be here not only to help share the information related to this year’s general elections, but also so that I can emphasize to your listeners the importance of voting in these local elections.
They are the time where YOU are really deciding on the people who make decisions that truly impact our day to day lives. So, if your city or district is holding an election this year, please, please get out and vote!
EVE > BRIDGET
Absolutely! Like I said last time, I hope today’s conversation makes this year’s local elections more accessible to our community.
Ok, Eve, let’s get into it. First things first, if you’re listening to this and not YET registered to vote but want to vote in this year’s general election, is it too late?
EVE > BRIDGET
No! The deadline to register and receive a vote by mail ballot for the General Election is Monday, November 13, 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
And, can you explain what voting provisionally means for your listeners?
EVE > BRIDGET
Yes! So, when somebody votes provisionally its because we don’t have them registered in our system and they need to bring two forms of identification, one showing who they are and the other showing where they live. We need the opportunity to be able to verify that and make sure they are eligible to vote. We don’t want people to loose the ability to vote. What we do is have people but their completed ballot into a particular envelope that has that particular proof. My office checks the proof. If it matches then we count the ballot, if we can’t verify it then we don’t count the ballot.
BRIDGET > EVE
Great! So it’s just a way to allow people to vote, with the condition that more information is required to validate their eligibility to vote.
EVE > BRIDGET
Exactly!
BRIDGET > EVE
Ok, so now let’s get into the details of the upcoming elections. When are this year’s Municipal General Elections happening?
EVE > BRIDGET
In case your listeners missed it, back in June of this year, the Governor and Legislature moved both 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 General Election date has been moved and will take place on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
BRIDGET > EVE
Thanks, Eve. This isn’t a permanent change right?
EVE > BRIDGET
No! It’s important to note that this change is not permanent and only pertains to this year’s elections.
BRIDGET > EVE
Ok awesome! Thanks for clarifying.
So, what districts are hosting general elections this year?
EVE > BRIDGET
There will be General Elections held for…
- Coalville City (residents with 84017 zip code)
- Kamas City (residents with 84036 zip code)
- Park City (residents with 84060 zip code)
- Oakley City (residents with 84036 and 84055 zip codes)
- Snyderville Water Reclamation District (generally residents with 84098 zip code)
- And, South Summit Fire District (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.
And, ultimately, you’ll know if you live in a district having an election because you’ll receive a ballot in the mail!
So, now folks know when the elections are happening and IF they’re community is having an election. Now, how do they find out WHO the candidates they can vote for are?
EVE > BRIDGET
For candidate information for the General Elections, please contact your city, town, or special service district. 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.
Also vote.utah.gov is the Lt. Governor’s page and will have links to candidate bios.
BRIDGET > EVE
And what about sample ballots, which are a great tool to help folks prepare for the elections.
EVE > BRIDGET
Yes! Sample ballots usually contain an image of what the actual ballot looks like, including candidates, questions, and instructions for voting.
People can find sample ballots for their precincts at the Clerk’s Webpage at summitcounty.org/elections right there on the landing page.
BRIDGET > EVE
Alright, now that we’ve covered registering to vote, preparing to vote, and talked about what elections are actually happening…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 (so around the end of October / beginning of November) 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 General Elections this year?
EVE > BRIDGET
Yes, of course! Early voting for the General Elections will take place on November 16, November 17, November 18 and on November 20. Voters will be able to vote early at the Kimball Junction Branch of the Summit County Library and at my office, the County Clerk’s Office in the Summit County Courthouse, from 8am – 5pm.
BRIDGET > EVE
Awesome! These locations can be found at summitcounty.info/2023elections. Let’s move on to voting by mail. What does that look like for this year’s general?
EVE > BRIDGET
Sure, so for the General Elections, ballots must be postmarked by November 20, 2023.
BRIDGET > EVE
What address do voters return their completed ballots to?
EVE > BRIDGET
If you were wondering where to mail your completed ballot to, don’t stress! All ballots are mailed out with a preprinted return envelope that voters must sign, so voters do not 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, you can drop completed ballots for the General Elections at the following locations until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 21, 2023.
- Park City Hall/Marsac Building
- The Market at Park City
- Quinn’s Health Department
- Summit County Library, Kimball Junction Branch (outside DMV Entrance)
- Summit County Library, Coalville Branch
- Summit County Library, Kamas Branch
- Oakley City Hall
- Jeremy Ranch Park and Ride
Voters might be used to having a drop box location in Jeremy Ranch at the Macey’s, formerly fresh market. That drop box will now be at the Jeremy Ranch Park and Ride on the backside of the bus shelter. People can walk or drive up to drop their ballots.
Additionally, 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! Again, these locations can be found at summitcounty.info/2023elections. We’ll also update the Jeremy Ranch location at this URL once it’s finalized.
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, General Election Day is November 21, 2023. Voters will be able to get assistance voting and vote in person at the following locations from 7am – 8pm:
- Park City Hall/Marsac Building
- Summit County Library, Kimball Junction Branch in the Large Auditorium
- Summit County Library, Kamas Branch
- Coalville City Hall Council Chambers
BRIDGET > EVE
You mentioned assistance voting. What are the options for folks who might have trouble using a by mail ballot?
EVE > BRIDGET
The first option is to come in on either early voting or day of the election in-person and we have devices that can assist you (ex: increasing text size on ballots). We also have other devices for people with other disabilities that might have trouble marking a ballot. Again, these options are for in-person voting.
If you don’t want to come in-person, we have electronic voting that Enhanced Voting runs. We communicate with you via email to utilize this tool and so you will need to contact us to get signed up for this option.
If you have any other special needs, we are happy to figure out how to accommodate those. You can reach us at elections@summitcounty.org or call 435-336-3040.
BRIDGET > EVE
Awesome! It’s great that we have so many options for folks who need assistance.
So, election day happens. When and where can people follow the results of their local elections?
EVE > BRIDGET
Sure. We post unofficial results the night of the election on our webpage summitcounty.org/elections. They’re also always linked right on the homepage of summitcounty.org.
We update the unofficial results the day after the election. Then, we’ll post the final once after the canvas takes place.
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 General happening?
EVE > BRIDGET
The canvass for the General Election will take place on December 5, 2023 at the entity having the election, so at Coalville City, Kamas City, Park City, Oakley City, Snyderville Water Reclamation District, and South Summit Fire District.
BRIDGET > EVE
Thanks, Eve! I think that’s pretty much all the questions I have for you. Do you think there’s anything I’m missing?
EVE > BRIDGET
Because the election is late this year and is close to the Thanksgiving Holiday, vote as early as you can. Educate yourself on candidates and issues too! Park City, for example, Park City has a bond on their ballot this year, in addition to the council races, so its important to understand what these things are before you make a decision on your ballot. Once you do, get those ballots to a drop box or come to an early voting location. This way you don’t have to worry about your vote getting lost in the mix of the busy holiday season!
I also would just reiterate the important of voting in these local elections. They are so close to our daily lives and this year, these council races are electing three people to a five person council. That has the potential to be a majority vote on decisions that effect your city for the next four years! I really encourage you to get to know who’s running and decide who most aligns with what you envision for your community in the future.
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, 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!
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