Utah Code » Title 20A, Chapter 9 — Candidate Qualifications and Nominating Procedures; part 20A-9-4 — Primary Elections
Utah Code

Utah Code § 20A-9-403 (2026)

Regular primary elections

✓ current as of May 2026
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Candidates for elective office that are to be filled at the next regular general election shall be nominated in a regular primary election by direct vote of the people in the manner prescribed in this section. The regular primary election is held on the date specified in Section 20A-1-201.5. Nothing in this section shall affect a candidate's ability to qualify for a regular general election's ballot as an unaffiliated candidate under Section 20A-9-501 or to participate in a regular general election as a write-in candidate under Section 20A-9-601.
Each registered political party that chooses to have the names of the registered political party's candidates for elective office featured with party affiliation on the ballot at a regular general election shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall nominate the registered political party's candidates for elective office in the manner described in this section.
A filing officer may not permit an official ballot at a regular general election to be produced or used if the ballot denotes affiliation between a registered political party or any other political group and a candidate for elective office who is not nominated in the manner prescribed in this section or in Subsection 20A-9-202(4).
Unless noted otherwise, the dates in this section refer to those that occur in each even-numbered year in which a regular general election will be held.
Each registered political party, in a statement filed with the lieutenant governor, shall:
either declare the registered political party's intent to participate in the next regular primary election or declare that the registered political party chooses not to have the names of the registered political party's candidates for elective office featured on the ballot at the next regular general election; and
if the registered political party participates in the upcoming regular primary election, identify one or more registered political parties whose members may vote for the registered political party's candidates and whether individuals identified as unaffiliated with a political party may vote for the registered political party's candidates.
A registered political party that is a continuing political party shall file the statement described in Subsection (2)(a) with the lieutenant governor no later than 5 p.m. on November 30 of each odd-numbered year.
An organization that is seeking to become a registered political party under Section 20A-8-103 shall file the statement described in Subsection (2)(a) at the time that the registered political party files the petition described in Section 20A-8-103.
Except as provided in Subsection (3)(d), an individual who submits a declaration of candidacy under Section 20A-9-202 shall appear as a candidate for elective office on the regular primary ballot of the registered political party listed on the declaration of candidacy only if the individual is certified by the appropriate filing officer as having submitted a nomination petition that was:
circulated and completed in accordance with Section 20A-9-405; and
signed by at least 2% of the registered political party's members who reside in the political division of the office that the individual seeks.
A candidate for elective office shall, in accordance with Section 20A-9-408.3, submit signatures for a nomination petition to the appropriate filing officer for verification and certification no later than 5 p.m. on March 31.
A candidate may supplement the candidate's submissions at any time on or before the filing deadline.
The filing officer shall:
except as otherwise provided in Section 20A-21-201, and in accordance with Section 20A-9-408.3, verify signatures on nomination petitions in a transparent and orderly manner, no later than 14 calendar days after the day on which a candidate submits the signatures to the filing officer;
for all qualifying candidates for elective office who submit nomination petitions to the filing officer, issue certifications referenced in Subsection (3)(a) no later than the deadline described in Subsection 20A-9-201.5(2);
consider active and inactive voters eligible to sign nomination petitions;
consider an individual who signs a nomination petition a member of a registered political party for purposes of Subsection (3)(a)(ii) if the individual has designated that registered political party as the individual's party membership on the individual's voter registration form; and
except as otherwise provided in Section 20A-21-201 and with the assistance of the county clerk as applicable, use the procedures described in Section 20A-1-1002 to verify submitted nomination petition signatures, or use statistical sampling procedures to verify submitted nomination petition signatures in accordance with rules made under Subsection (3)(e).
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Subsection (3), a candidate for lieutenant governor may appear on the regular primary ballot of a registered political party without submitting nomination petitions if the candidate files a declaration of candidacy and complies with Subsection 20A-9-202(3).
In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the director of elections, within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, may make rules that:
provide for the use of statistical sampling procedures that:
filing officers are required to use to verify signatures under Subsection (3)(c); and
reflect a bona fide effort to determine the validity of a candidate's entire submission, using widely recognized statistical sampling techniques; and
provide for the transparent, orderly, and timely submission, verification, and certification of nomination petition signatures.
The county clerk shall:
review the declarations of candidacy filed by candidates for local boards of education to determine if more than two candidates have filed for the same seat; and
if more than two candidates file for one seat, include the names of the candidates on the list described in Section 20A-5a-206.
A candidate who, at the regular primary election, receives the highest number of votes cast for the office sought by the candidate is:
nominated for that office by the candidate's registered political party; or
for a nonpartisan local school board position, nominated for that office.
If two or more candidates are to be elected to the office at the regular general election, those party candidates equal in number to positions to be filled who receive the highest number of votes at the regular primary election are the nominees of the candidates' party for those positions.
As used in this Subsection (4)(c), a candidate is "unopposed" if:
no individual other than the candidate receives a certification under Subsection (3) for the regular primary election ballot of the candidate's registered political party for a particular elective office; or
for an office where more than one individual is to be elected or nominated, the number of candidates who receive certification under Subsection (3) for the regular primary election of the candidate's registered political party does not exceed the total number of candidates to be elected or nominated for that office.
A candidate who is unopposed for an elective office in the regular primary election of a registered political party is nominated by the party for that office without appearing on the primary election ballot.
The expense of providing all ballots, blanks, or other supplies to be used at any primary election provided for by this section, and all expenses necessarily incurred in the preparation for or the conduct of that primary election shall be paid out of the treasury of the county or state, in the same manner as for the regular general elections.
An individual may not file a declaration of candidacy for a registered political party of which the individual is not a member, except to the extent that the registered political party permits otherwise under the registered political party's bylaws.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 2004–2018 · leading case: Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015).
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Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). · cites it 26× “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 892 F.3d 1066 (10th Cir. 2018). · cites it 3× “” Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403(1)(b). The bill creates two possible paths for political parties to earn the right to place their endorsements on the ballot—they can be “registered political parties” or “qualified political parties.”
United Utah Party v. Cox, 268 F. Supp. 3d 1227 (D. Utah 2017). · cites it 4× “Stipulated Facts ¶ 49; Utah Code §§ 20A-9-403(l)(a); 409(2)(b); and 409(2)(c).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). · cites it 24× “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 885 F.3d 1219 (10th Cir. 2018). · cites it 3× “” Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403(1)(b). The bill creates two possible paths for political parties to earn the right to place their endorsements on the ballot—they can be “registered political parties” or “qualified political parties.”
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 178 F. Supp. 3d 1150 (D. Utah 2016). · cites it 2× “See Utah Code § 20A-9-101(12)(e) (requiring political party to certify to the LG by September 30 whether the party will nominate candidates in accordance with Utah Code § 20A-9-406 (Qualified political party — Requirements and exemptions)); Utah Code § 20A-9-403(l) and (2)…”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 141 F. Supp. 3d 1195 (D. Utah 2015). · cites it 8× “Utah Code § 20A-9-403 ("Nothing in this section shall affect a candidate's ability to qualify for a regular general election’s ballot as an unaffiliated candidate .”
Beaver v. Clingman, 363 F.3d 1048 (10th Cir. 2004). “See Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403. 8 . See Alaska Stat.”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(1)(b) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 892 F.3d 1066 (10th Cir. 2018). “” Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403(1)(b). The bill creates two possible paths for political parties to earn the right to place their endorsements on the ballot—they can be “registered political parties” or “qualified political parties.”
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 885 F.3d 1219 (10th Cir. 2018). “” Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403(1)(b). The bill creates two possible paths for political parties to earn the right to place their endorsements on the ballot—they can be “registered political parties” or “qualified political parties.”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(2)(a)(i) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(2)(a)(ii) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(3)(a) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 892 F.3d 1066 (10th Cir. 2018). “” Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403(1)(b). The bill creates two possible paths for political parties to earn the right to place their endorsements on the ballot—they can be “registered political parties” or “qualified political parties.”
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 885 F.3d 1219 (10th Cir. 2018). “” Utah Code Ann. § 20A-9-403(1)(b). The bill creates two possible paths for political parties to earn the right to place their endorsements on the ballot—they can be “registered political parties” or “qualified political parties.”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(3)(a)(ii) — 1 case
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(3)(b) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(5) — 1 case
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(5)(a) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(8) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(l) — 1 case
Utah Repub. Party v. Cox, 178 F. Supp. 3d 1150 (D. Utah 2016). “See Utah Code § 20A-9-101(12)(e) (requiring political party to certify to the LG by September 30 whether the party will nominate candidates in accordance with Utah Code § 20A-9-406 (Qualified political party — Requirements and exemptions)); Utah Code § 20A-9-403(l) and (2)…”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(l)(a) — 1 case
United Utah Party v. Cox, 268 F. Supp. 3d 1227 (D. Utah 2017). “Stipulated Facts ¶ 49; Utah Code §§ 20A-9-403(l)(a); 409(2)(b); and 409(2)(c).”
— Utah Code § 20A-9-403(l)(b) — 2 cases
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 144 F. Supp. 3d 1263 (D. Utah 2015). “2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-403). . State Fact no. 2 (opening section) (citing Utah Code § 20A-9-406).”
Utah Repub. Party v. Herbert, 133 F. Supp. 3d 1337 (D. Utah 2015). “Under SB54, to qualify to nominate candidates for an upcoming election, an RPP must comply with Utah Code Section 20A-9-403. Section 20A-9-403 requires an RPP to “either declare [its] intent to participate in the next primary election, or declare that the [RPP] chooses not to…”
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