With the primary election just around the corner, Summit County residents are encouraged to make a quick stop at a ballot drop box before the picnics, parade and parties kick off this weekend.

Registered voters started receiving their ballots by mail in mid-August, and they have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday to decide who they want to advance to the general election. Early voting will wrap up at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, then residents will be required to cast their vote by mail, drop it off or go in person by Sept. 5.

There are three primary elections in Summit County, including the contests for Coalville City Council, Park City Council and the South Summit Fire District. This means only people who live in the 84017 or 84060 zip codes, as well as residents in the Peoa, Francis East and West, Kamas North and South, Oakley North and South, South Summit East, South Summit West, South Summit South and Weber Canyon precincts, are eligible to vote.

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There was around 22% voter turnout as of Thursday afternoon, according to Summit County Clerk Eve Furse. She emphasized the importance of participating in municipal elections, saying just three votes separated who advanced and who was eliminated in the Coalville City Council primary election in 2021.

Primary elections typically have lower turnout. Furse estimated it might reach 44% by Tuesday, which is about average. However, a state decision to move the date might also negatively influence turnout. 

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Gov. Spencer Cox in June signed a bill changing Utah’s municipal primary and general elections to accommodate a special election following the resignation of U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah. The dates were shifted from Aug. 15 and Nov. 7 to Sept. 5 and Nov. 21, respectively. The change is not permanent and will only affect elections this year.

Ballots must typically be postmarked the day before Election Day in Utah. However, they can be stamped day-of in this election because of the Labor Day holiday. Residents voting by mail should use the preprinted return envelope provided by the clerk’s office to ensure their ballot makes it to the right place.

Drop box locations will also be open until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Ballots can be left in boxes at the Summit County Courthouse, the Marsac Building, The Market at Park City, Quinn’s Health Department as well as the Kamas and Coalville branches of the Summit County Library.

There’s also the old-school method. Eligible residents can cast a physical vote between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Coalville City Hall, Park City Hall or the Summit County Services building at 110 North Main Street in Kamas.

Seven Coalville City Council candidates are running for three open seats. The contestants are Brandon Brady, Stefanie Bowen, Lynn Wood, Tyler Rowser, Cindy Padgett, Shaun Powis and David Anderson. Councilman Phil Geary has withdrawn his candidacy. One candidate will be eliminated in the primary election.

The Park City Council race has eight candidates vying for three open seats: including Ed Parigan, Matthew Nagie, David “Pickleball Traffic” Dobkin, Ryan Dickey, Jody Whitesides, John Greenfield, Bill Ciraco and Bob Sertner. Betsy Wallace ended her campaign in early August. Six candidates will advance to the general election.

Eight candidates are running for two open spots in the South Summit Fire District, which is governed by a board of commissioners. Contestants are Scott Nagle, David Ure, John Moon, Chet Ellis, Larry Leifson, Darin Ross, Julie Black and Thayne Stembridge. The primary election will eliminate half the field with the top four vote-getters advancing.

The last day to register to vote online was Aug. 25. However, Summit County residents who have not registered but are eligible to vote can cast a provisional ballot in person.

Call 435-336-3040 or email elections@summitcounty.org for additional information.