SALT LAKE CITY — Twenty of Utah's 29 counties have opted to conduct the June 28 primary election by mail, meaning some voters have some work to do to make sure they get the right ballot in their mailbox.
The two high-profile, statewide primaries are partisan races: The Republican governor's race between incumbent Gov. Gary Herbert and challenger Jonathan Johnson; and the Democratic U.S. Senate race, with four candidates competing to challenge Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, in November.
Because the primaries are partisan, voters won't be able to vote in both the governor's race and the Senate race. They'll have to choose, said State Elections Director Mark Thomas.
"It's a party ballot, and so you can only get one ballot for one party," Thomas said. "You only qualify for the ballot you qualify for."
Because the Democratic Party allows an open election, voters will not have to affiliate with the party to request a Democratic ballot. However, the GOP requires its voters to be registered with the party.
In the 20 vote-by-mail counties, Utahns who are already registered as Democrats or Republicans will automatically receive a ballot from their party.
But unless voters specify to county clerks to receive either a Democratic or GOP ballot, unaffiliated voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail for nonpartisan races, which include municipal and school board races.
That's why county clerks conducting by-mail elections have sent out notices to unaffiliated voters with forms to return specifying whether the voter would prefer a Democratic or Republican ballot. Those requesting a Republican ballot will be affiliated with the GOP.
Counties are also sending out notices to affiliated voters notifying them they will be automatically receiving a ballot for the party they're registered with. If voters have more interest in a race in another party, they can request a different ballot, Thomas said.
"Pay attention and look for the notices," he urged voters. "If you want something other than the unaffiliated ballot, it's important that you either contact their county clerk or (respond to the notice)."
Thomas acknowledged that some voters have been frustrated that they can't vote in both the governor's race and the Senate race. But the purpose of the partisan primary, he said, is to choose the party's nomination for the general election ballot, and all voters will be able to weigh in on those races in November.
"Under statute, parties get to choose whether they're open or closed or who gets to participate in their primary," Thomas said. "It's a constitutional right that the parties have. … We try to accommodate everyone we can within the law and the constitution."
There are nearly 1.3 million registered voters in Utah, and 70 percent of the state's voting population resides in counties that have opted for vote-by-mail primaries this year, Thomas said. That means roughly 900,000 Utahns should have already received notices informing them of their ballot options and when those preference forms would be due.
In Salt Lake County, voters have until May 23 to return their forms, said Elections Director Rozan Mitchell. Ballots will then be mailed the week of June 6.
"I think this will increase turnout and get (voters) thinking about the election early on instead of waiting until Election Day," said Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen.
Utah County is the largest county opting to conduct traditional elections rather than vote-by-mail. Clerk Bryan Thompson said he chose the traditional election for Utah County voters because the county is better equipped to handle traditional voting, and more residents seem to prefer to vote in person.
Plus, he said, vote-by-mail in partisan elections can be confusing to voters wanting to simply cast a vote rather than having to specify to clerks which ballot they want to receive ahead of time.
"We've found a system that works for Utah County, so that's what we've chosen to do," Thompson said.
Thomas acknowledged that voting in the primaries by mail is "nuanced" and may seem confusing to some voters, but most counties opted for by-mail voting with hopes to increase voter turnout.
"For June primary elections, people are usually out of school or on vacation, and it can be a little tricky for people to get out and vote," he said. "Historically, turnout for primaries has been half as much as what you see in general elections."
Thomas said he expects turnout for the primary election to be higher this year because there are both Democratic and Republican statewide races — something that hasn't happened in decades, he said.
Utah's last state primary in 2012 yielded a 20 percent turnout.
"I always hope for 100 percent," Thomas joked, but realistically, he said he's hoping this year's primary will surpass 20 percent.
Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com
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