What to look for in the 2023 Utah municipal and special elections

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SALT LAKE CITY — There are just two weeks left until Utah holds municipal elections and the special election in the 2nd Congressional District.

Although the rest of the country is voting today, Utahns have a little more time to look at the issues and decide for whom they will vote. 

If you are voting in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, you can learn about the candidates on KSL NewsRadio’s Race to Replace information page.

Important dates in the 2023 Utah municipal elections

All active voters should have received their ballots in the mail last week. The last day to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Nov. 14, 2023.

Election day is on Nov. 21. On that day, voters will have until 8:00 p.m. to cast their ballots in person.

If you are mailing in your ballot, make sure it is postmarked the day before election day to be counted.

You can also use the drop boxes located around the state, although ballots must be returned to a drop box within the county in which you reside.

If you are not registered, you can register online or at the polls on Election Day. For more information, you can visit the state’s website vote.utah.gov.

Municipal elections in Utah to watch

Odd election years tend not to be as glamorous as the big national even-year elections. But many argue they are the most important because the positions directly impact your community.

Most cities are holding elections for city council positions. You can check who is on your ballot and learn about the candidates on the state election website.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City’s Mayoral race has three candidates on the ballot, including incumbent Mayor Erin Mendenhall. 

Mendenhall has served as the city’s mayor since January 2020. According to Mendenhall’s campaign, she wants to reform the city’s approach to homelessness, save Great Salt Lake, and focus on the city’s tech “ecosystem.”

Also on the ballot is former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. He served as mayor for two terms from 2000-2008. Anderson’s platform also places a focus on homelessness and highlights affordable housing issues and LGBTQ+ equality.

Michael Valentine joins Mendenhall and Anderson on the ballot, running as an independent. According to Valentine’s campaign site, he’s a filmmaker and this is his first time running for office. Valentine’s platform focuses on the same issues as his opponents and also includes defunding the police, investing more in the arts, and increasing the minimum wage.

Ogden

Two candidates are on the ballot for Ogden mayor.

Ben Nadolski works with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. According to his campaign site, he’s also an Ogden City Council member. Nadolski’s platform highlights working on infrastructure to increase walkability in neighborhoods and connecting fire and police crews with the community’s youth.

Taylor Knuth works with the SLC Department of Economic Development, according to his campaign site. His platform focuses on improving public safety and involving Ogden residents in local government decisions and programs. 

Related news:

• Utah’s election day to come later this month
• Mail-in ballots are here ahead of special election on Nov. 21