Utah Code » Title 20A, Chapter 1 — General Provisions; part 20A-1-2 — Elections: General and Special
Utah Code

Utah Code § 20A-1-203 (2026)

Calling and purpose of special elections -- Two-thirds vote limitations

✓ laws through the 2026 General Session (checked Sept. 2026)
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Statewide and local special elections may be held for any purpose authorized by law.
Statewide special elections shall be conducted using the procedure for regular general elections.
Except as otherwise provided in this title, local special elections shall be conducted using the procedures for regular municipal elections.
The governor may call a statewide special election by issuing an executive order that designates:
the date for the statewide special election; and
the purpose for the statewide special election.
The Legislature may call a statewide special election by passing a joint or concurrent resolution that designates:
the date for the statewide special election; and
the purpose for the statewide special election.
The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special election only for:
a vote on a bond or debt issue;
a vote on a voted local levy authorized by Section 53F-8-402 or 53F-8-301;
an initiative authorized by Chapter 7, Part 5, Local Initiatives - Procedures;
a referendum authorized by Chapter 7, Part 6, Local Referenda - Procedures;
if required or authorized by federal law, a vote to determine whether Utah's legal boundaries should be changed;
a vote authorized or required by Title 59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act;
a vote on a municipality providing a broadband service, a cable television service, or a public telecommunications service under Section 10-18-204;
a vote to create a new county under Section 17-61-401;
a vote on a special property tax under Section 53F-8-402; or
a vote on the incorporation of a municipality in accordance with Section 10-2a-210.
The legislative body of a local political subdivision may call a local special election by adopting an ordinance or resolution that designates:
the date for the local special election as authorized by Section 20A-1-204; and
the purpose for the local special election.
A local political subdivision may not call a local special election unless the ordinance or resolution calling a local special election under Subsection (5)(b) is adopted by a two-thirds majority of all members of the legislative body, if the local special election is for:
a vote on a bond or debt issue as described in Subsection (5)(a)(i);
a vote on a voted leeway or levy program as described in Subsection (5)(a)(ii); or
a vote authorized or required for a sales tax issue as described in Subsection (5)(a)(vi).

Amended by Chapter 16, 2025 Special Session 1

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2015–2017 · leading case: Cox v. Laycock, 2015 UT 20, 345 P.3d 689.
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Cox v. Laycock, 2015 UT 20, 345 P.3d 689. · cites it 3× “970, 972 (Utah 1921) (“It is the duty of this court, according to its best knowledge and understanding, to declare the law as it finds it, and determine the intent and purpose thereof from the language used by the Legislature in expressing such purpose and intention.”
United Utah Party v. Cox, 268 F. Supp. 3d 1227 (D. Utah 2017). · cites it 2× “Utah Code § 20A-1-203; Stipulated Facts ¶ 13.”
Utah Code § 20A-1-203(5): 1 case
Cox v. Laycock, 2015 UT 20, 345 P.3d 689. “970, 972 (Utah 1921) (“It is the duty of this court, according to its best knowledge and understanding, to declare the law as it finds it, and determine the intent and purpose thereof from the language used by the Legislature in expressing such purpose and intention.”
Utah Code § 20A-1-203(5)(a): 1 case
Cox v. Laycock, 2015 UT 20, 345 P.3d 689. “970, 972 (Utah 1921) (“It is the duty of this court, according to its best knowledge and understanding, to declare the law as it finds it, and determine the intent and purpose thereof from the language used by the Legislature in expressing such purpose and intention.”
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