Will you be getting a primary ballot this week?

SALT LAKE CITY– Primary ballots go out this week but don’t panic if you don’t see one in your mailbox — you might not have any races to vote for.

Ballots for cities’ primary elections and the special election in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District will be mailed starting Tuesday.

Special election ballots are only sent to registered Republicans in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District. 

Who else will get ballots?

Voters can expect to get a ballot if their city has a mayoral race that’s not doing ranked-choice voting or is holding a city council at-large race. Additionally, expect a ballot if the city council in your district has a race.

“So, for Salt Lake County, there are 14 contests — plus that Congressional District 2 race — that span eight cities,” said Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman. That equates to about one-third of Salt Lake County voters, according to Chapman.

“The cities that have at-large seats — so all the eligible voters in that city will be able to vote — include Bluffdale, Brighton, Draper, Sandy and West Valley.

In Weber County, they have four races in 3 cities including an Ogden Mayor’s race and a city council at large race.

“A good chunk of Weber County voters will get ballots this week,” said County Clerk Ricky Hatch.

In Salt Lake City, the high-profile mayoral race is doing ranked-choice voting, meaning there is no primary, and one ballot will be sent for the general election in November.

So if your ballot doesn’t show up, it’s likely you aren’t in an area with an election.

“That’s not because I forgot them or we misplace their ballot. It’s because they just don’t have anything to vote on,” said Chapman.

Voters can check if they should expect a ballot online. 

Unaffiliated voters 

Unaffiliated voters who want to vote in the Republican primary in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District race can still affiliate as Republicans to be sent a ballot and cast a vote for either Becky Edwards, Celeste Maloy or Bruce Hough.

According to Chapman, in her county, unaffiliated voters are the second largest voting block behind Republicans.

You have until Aug. 25 to affiliate and still be mailed a ballot. After that, you’ll need to affiliate and vote in person.

First-time voters can get registered and affiliated up until election day. However, it is too late to switch parties for those registered Democrats or any other third party.

Ballots can be postmarked on Primary Election Day, Sept. 5.

Dates to know

Ballots mailed: Aug. 15
Salt Lake County early voting at Government Center: Aug. 22 – Sept. 1
Some Salt Lake County early voting locations open: Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 
Voter registration deadline: Aug. 25
Last day for replacement ballot: Aug. 29
Primary Election: Sept. 5
Canvass period: Sept. 6 – 18
Salt Lake County election certified: Sept. 19

Related:

• Utah’s special election has national implications says GOP chair
• The Utah Debate Commission will not hold GOP special election primary debate
• Utah’s 2nd Congressional District – what differentiates the GOP candidates