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How to File for Candidacy

Below is an outline of the steps to get started with filing for candidacy as a resident of Salt Lake County.

Candidates filing for Federal Offices must file with the Lieutenant Governor's Office. Residents of counties other than Salt Lake County must file with their county's clerk.

Contact our office with any questions.

The Steps to Filing for Candidacy

Prior to filing for candidacy, check if you are eligible for the office you are seeking.

There are three main things to check:
  1. If the seat are seeking is up for election.
    • Check the 2026 Election Notice to view all seats up for election in Salt Lake County in 2026.
  2. If you live within the district boundaries for the seat.
    • Use our voter look-up tool to look up your voter registration and ensure you reside in the correct district.
  3. If you meet the qualifications of the office.
    • Check out the qualifications page to find the qualifications for the office you are seeking.

Please note: Those filing for federal or statewide seats must complete their paperwork with the Lieutenant Governor's office.

2026 General Election Notice
Voter Look-Up Tool
Candidate Qualifications

Once you have verified your eligibility, you can start the candidate filing process.

  1. The first step is to fill out and submit your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form and Declaration of Candidacy online.
    • After submitting your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form, you will receive a four-digit code on the thank you page and in your submission email. This four-digit code will be used to enter when filling out your Declaration of Candidacy.
    • Upon submission of both your Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form and Declaration of Candidacy, you will receive PDF copies of each form for your records.
  2. Candidates who wish to use a different name on the ballot that is not their legal first and last name may need to complete a Ballot Name Affidavit.
    • Ballot Name Affidavits can be:
      • Brought to the Clerk's Office before the end of the filing period,
      • Or uploaded when completing your Declaration of Candidacy.
    • Different names that do not require a Ballot Name Affidavit include:
      • A common derivative of your first name followed by your legal last name
      • Your first name or a common derivative of it followed by your middle initial then your legal last name.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
Declaration of Candidacy
Different Ballot Name

Your Declaration of Candidacy is not complete until you sign it in the Clerk's Office in front of an Election Officer. You can do this during your candidate filing period, as applicable:

  • For candidates filing with a Qualified Political Party:
    • January 2, 2026 to January 8, 2026
  • For candidates filing with a Registered Political Party:
    • January 2, 2026 to April 27, 2026
  • For candidates filing without a party (unaffiliated):
    • January 2, 2026 to June 15, 2026
  • For candidates filing as a write-in:
    • January 2, 2026 to August 28, 2026

When filing for candidacy at the Clerk's Office, make sure to bring any required additional documents, including:

  • Payment for filing fees (see the table below for fees for each office)
    • Credit card, cash, or check accepted
  • Proof of qualification as required by Utah Code
    • For the office of Auditor, Sheriff, and District Attorney
Contest
Filing Fee
Salt Lake County Council At-Large A $440.62
Salt Lake County Council District 1, 3, and 5 $310.42
Salt Lake County Auditor $1,035.29
Salt Lake County Clerk $1,035.29
Salt Lake County District Attorney $1,204.33
Salt Lake County Sheriff $1,052.65
State Senate $117.73
State House of Representatives $83.86
State School Board $89.69
Local School Board $50.00

Candidates who are pursuing nomination through the signature-gathering process must turn-in all completed signature packets by the applicable deadline:

  • For candidates filing with a Qualified Political Party:
    • 14 calendar days before the party's convention
  • For candidates filing with a Registered Political Party:
    • March 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  • For candidates filing without a party (unaffiliated):
    • June 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Candidates will receive a template for their signature packets after filing.

After Filing for Candidacy

According to Salt Lake County Ordinance 2.72A.203, each county office candidate, local school board office candidate, or officeholder shall file an interim report before 5:00 p.m. on the following days in any year in which the candidate or officeholder has filed a declaration of candidacy for a public office for that year.

Candidates must submit their financial disclosure forms online through EasyVote. The link below outlines how to sign up for and how to file with EasyVote.

2026 Financial Disclosure Deadlines:
  • April 6 - Interim Financial Disclosure Deadline (For the period ending March 31)
  • June 16 - Primary Election Financial Disclosure Deadline (For the period ending June 15)
  • September 15 - Interim Financial Disclosure Deadline (For the period ending September 10)
  • October 27 - General Election Financial Disclosure Deadline (For the period ending October 26)
  • February 1, 2027 - Year-End Report Deadline (For the period ending December 31)

Campaigns that receive or expend more than $250 must file a Statement of Organization.

Campaigns that do not expect to receive or expend more than $2,000 can submit a Small Budget Campaign Certificate by 5:00 p.m. on April 5. Campaigns meeting this limitation are only required to submit a General Election Financial Disclosure and a Year-End Financial Disclosure Report by the applicable deadlines below.

How to File a Report with EasyVote
EasyVote

The Lieutenant Governor's Office provides candidates with the opportunity to submit a candidate profile for the website, vote.utah.gov, for the public to view.

Your profile must include a short statement of qualification, and if desired, your age, occupation, city of residence, years of residence in current city, email address, and a web address.

How to submit your profile:
  1. Visit vote.utah.gov. Select the button "Resources for Candidates, Political Groups & Parties" at the bottom of the page.
  2. After being directed to a new page, select the option "Submit candidate profile."
  3. You will be directed to the UtahID portal. If you do not have a UtahID account, you must create one to proceed. If you already have a UtahID account, simply log into your account.
  4. After creating a UtahID account, you will be prompted for a PIN number. To obtain a PIN number, select your name in the dropdown menu then check your email.
    • Your PIN number will be sent to the email address that you provided on your declaration of candidacy. It will not be sent to the email address on your UtahID account.
  5. After receiving your PIN number, enter it into the website and click "Submit".
  6. After entering your PIN number, the website will prompt you to enter your candidate profile. After you are completed, click "Submit for Approval". You have the ability to save and edit your profile before the deadline.
When to submit your profile:

You must submit your profile before both of the following deadlines:

Primary Election Profiles: May 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)

General Election Profiles: September 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)

Please note that these deadlines are established by law. As a result, late submissions and edits cannot be accepted.

For assistance with your candidate profile, contact the Lieutenant Governor’s Office at (801)538-1041 or elections@utah.gov.

vote.utah.gov

Candidates who would like to withdraw from the election may do so at any time by submitting a written notice to the Clerk's Office.

The 2026 Candidate Withdrawal Deadlines to have your name removed from the ballot are:
  • April 24, 2026 for the Primary Election
  • September 4, 2026 for the General Election

Candidates who are no longer receiving contributions or making expenditures, have an account balance of zero, and are ready to close their campaign can dissolve at any time.

To dissolve your campaign, you must submit a final financial disclosure form with your account balance showing zero and the final dissolution box checked. This form can be completed on EasyVote.

EasyVote