Fewer than 200 votes separate Maloy, Jenkins
Jul 5, 2024, 8:00 AM
FILE: Utah’s 2nd Congressional district debate between Colby Jenkins and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in June. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Fewer than 200 votes separate the Republican primary candidates in the 2nd Congressional district race, Colby Jenkins and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy.
According to the latest state elections data, Rep. Maloy, R-Utah, holds onto a lead of just 195 votes over Jenkins.
The margin between Jenkins and Maloy currently stands at a scant 0.28%. Candidates may request a recount when the margin drops to 0.25%.
It was unclear Friday morning how many ballots remained outstanding in the contest. Last week, however, Washington County elections officials still needed to “cure” hundreds of ballots. Curing a ballot takes place when a ballot needs closer review – such as if the voter’s signature did not match his or her signature on file, or it was unclear how they intended to vote.
What happens next in the Maloy/Jenkins contest
Currently, county clerks across the state are in the process of holding canvass meetings, a sort of post-election auditing process that double-checks and then certifies the results.
In a post on X, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, whose office oversees elections in Utah, explained the process and the intent behind it.
“A canvass is a public meeting conducted by election officials and county commissioners to review and verify the results of an election,” she wrote in the post. “Discrepancies are thoroughly evaluated and resolved to ensure all valid votes are accurately reflected. The overall purpose of a canvass is to ensure the accuracy and integrity of each election.”
Election results become official once county clerks and commissioners certify them, at the end of the canvass. Henderson said anyone can observe the canvass.
“The canvass is a crucial and transparent step in the election process, which is why it’s open to the public,” Henderson said.
You can contact your county clerk to find out when their canvass will take place. Only five counties have finished their canvass so far – the remaining counties will canvass on Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9.
