ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
County clerk discusses special election to replace Stewart
May 31, 2023, 4:09 PM | Updated: Jun 27, 2023, 3:28 pm
FILE: Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, talks with a reporter at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, announced Wednesday that he is resigning his seat in the U.S. House over concerns about his wife’s health.
Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch spoke with Dave & Dujanovic to explain how the special election for Stewart’s House seat works and what the next steps will be.
“We don’t know exactly when he will vacate his seat,” Debbie said, “and his statement didn’t give us an exact date.”
In Utah, special elections are held on a regularly scheduled day for a municipal general election, Hatch said. The same is true for a presidential primary election or a scheduled primary or general election day in an even year.
“The intent of the Legislature was to have the election on a regularly scheduled election unless — and it gives a provision if it’s really crucial to have one otherwise, the governor can call and ask for that, and the Legislature can approve the funding for that because the state would need to pay for that, not the counties,” Hatch said.
Stewart has represented Utah’s 2nd Congressional District since Jan. 3, 2013. He won his general election on Nov. 8, 2022. His current term ends Jan. 3, 2025.
No dates yet set for resignation, special election
Stewart has not set a specific date for his resignation according to Stewart spokesman Liam Anderson, as reported by the Washington Post.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will issue a proclamation once the resignation date is known. This sets the dates for the primary and general elections for the special election to replace Stewart. The winner of the election will serve out the remainder of Stewart’s term.
The state must hold a primary at least 90 days after the proclamation is issued, according to Utah Code. And it must coincide with an existing primary election. The general election must be 90 days after the primary, and coincide with an existing general election as reported by Deseret News.
Related reading:
- Congressman Chris Stewart announces resignation
- Utah party chairs react to special election, both confident of a win
- Salt Lake City councilwoman announces her resignation
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