Governor calls special session, special election over Rep. Stewart’s resignation
U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart’s decision to resign from his seat in Congress will alter this year’s municipal election schedule.
The dates for the primary and general elections are set to change in order to fill Stewart’s seat as quickly as possible through a special election.
Gov. Spencer Cox announced in a June 7 news release that the primary election date, previously set for Aug. 15, will now take place on Sept. 5. The general election, originally slated for Nov. 7, will now take place Nov. 21.
The extended election schedule allows voters to fill Stewart’s seat earlier than otherwise possible. If not for the changes, and another special session called by the governor, Utah’s 2nd Congressional District seat couldn’t be filled until March 2024 by state statute.
Stewart announced last week he plans to resign effective Sept. 15.
Cox called a special session for today, June 14, to set the electoral schedule as well as get funding from state legislators for the special election to replace Stewart.
June 14 also happens to be the deadline for candidates for Stewart’s seat to declare their candidacy. They had from June 8 till today at 5 p.m. to file. Candidates could also qualify for the ballot through the signature gathering process, but must have filed that paperwork with the Lt. Governor’s Office by June 14 as well. Political parties have until July 5 to name their candidate for the District 2 seat.
“This timeline will ensure as smooth and efficient transition with minimal disruption to our electoral process. We understand these are unusual circumstances and appreciate the efforts of our municipalities and county clerks in accommodating this election schedule,” the governor said when he issued two proclamations spelling out the changes.
Meanwhile, the date to file to run for multiple open municipal seats has passed. That deadline was June 7.
The most competitive local race will take place in Kanosh, where two seats are open. Six candidates filed to fill the two seats, setting up a primary contest in September. Geraldine Minton, Dan DeGraffenried, John Hogan, TJ Lovato, Joshua Whitaker and incumbent Hayden George each filed declarations. The top two vote getters for each seat will move on to the general election in November. Winners will serve four-year terms.
Delta, Hinckley and Holden will have general election contests. In Delta, six candidates, including three current officeholders, will compete for three seats. Hinckley will hold general election contests for three seats, having attracted five candidates. Winners will serve two-year terms. In Holden, four candidates will compete for two open seats, winners each serving 4-year terms.
Leamington, Lynndyl, Oak City and Meadow each have two open seats and attracted exactly two candidates each. Fillmore attracted just three candidates for its three open seats as well. This means those communities could simply cancel their elections and follow an appointment process to name those candidates to the open seats on those town boards and city council.
Scipio has two open seats but attracted no candidates. An appointment process will fill those seats.
Millard County Clerk Marki Rowley said that her office is working with each town and city recorder to hold the elections. The county, by Cox’s recent proclamations, will run the elections.
Write-in candidates could force changes, should one or more come along and set off a general election when one so far isn’t contemplated. Tentatively, write-in candidates have until Sept. 18 to notify town and city recorders of their intent to run.
As of press time Monday, six Republicans and one United Utah Party member have filed to fill Stewart’s seat, setting off a sure primary contest in that special election. Four of the Republicans also filed their intent to gather signatures to get on the ballot.
2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Declared Candidates
Delta, 3 seats,
4-year terms:
Nick Killpack
Kelly Carter
Brett Bunker
KC Bogue
Benjamin Bryan
Robert Banks
Fillmore, 3 seats,
4-year terms:
Eugene Larsen
Michael Winget
Kyle Stevens
Hinckley, 3 seats,
2-year terms:
Chris Mork
Gina Tolbert
Beau Taylor
Skip Taylor
Courtney Chlarson
Holden, 2 seats,
4-year terms:
Tamara Dallin
Melvin Bennett
LaRee Stephenson
Roger Stevens
Kanosh, 2 seats,
4-year terms:
Geraldine Minton
Dan DeGraffenried
John Hogan
TJ Lovato
Joshua Whitaker
Hayden George
Leamington,
2 seats, 4-year terms:
Devin Palmer
Clark Nielson
Lynndyl, 2 seats,
4-year terms:
Richard Pyne
Mariffa Bishop
Meadow, 2 seats,
4-year terms:
Sunny Guild
Justin Jensen
Oak City, 2 seats,
4-year terms:
Jared Rawlinson
Copeland Anderson
Scipio, 2 seats,
4-year terms:
NONE
