Communities across Utah saw low voter turnout this week, and Summit County was no exception.
There are around 25,400 registered voters in the county yet just about 7,800, or 30%, cast a ballot as of the latest count on Wednesday afternoon. It’s projected to be the lowest turnout Summit County has had in at least seven years, according to general election results dating back to 2016.
Summit County Clerk Eve Furse had been nervous that changing the election to the Tuesday before Thanksgiving would impact participation, but she hoped more people would choose to vote early. Most voting in Summit County takes place before Election Day, according to Furse.
Turnout was higher in Park City compared to the rest of the county at around 45% in the hours after Election Night, possibly because of the highly publicized City Council election and the $30 million recreation bond on the ballot.
Residents in Kamas, Coalville and Oakley were also tasked with choosing who would represent them on their city councils or fire commission. People with certain addresses elected a Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District trustee, who helps manage wastewater collection and reclamation services in the greater Park City area.
The 2022 general election, which included a hotly contested race for U.S. Senate, as well as state campaigns and local elections, brought out almost 72% of voters in Summit County. There were also more registered voters last year at 28,570 despite the population growth. Approximately 22% of the county’s population is under 18, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Voter turnout was around 46% in 2021. There were mayoral races for Park City, Oakley, Coalville and Kamas, elections for Park City Council, Oakley City Council, Coalville City Council and Kamas City Council as well as South Summit Fire District commissioner on the ballot. Residents were also asked to decide on the $79.2 million Park City School District bond and the $50 million Summit County open space bond, both of which passed.
There was high participation in 2020 because of the presidential election. Around 92% of Summit County voters, or 26,440 people, cast a ballot. Voter turnout was also high during the 2016 presidential election at 87%.
More than half of eligible residents voted in the 2019 election. That ballot was similar to this year’s as it included Oakley and Park City council races and the South Summit Fire District Commission. However, it also had Proposition 6 for the imposition of property taxes and a failed bond measure in the South Summit School District.
The 2018 midterm election had an 80% voter turnout in Summit County, which was up from the 2017 election with 48%. Voter participation data was not available for 2015 or 2013. The turnout was 45% in 2014 and 67% in 2012.
Archived results indicate voter turnout was 15% during a special municipal election in 2011. It was nearly 49% in 2010, 62% in 2008 and 45% in 2006.
Turnout tends to be higher during a presidential election than in a midterm election. The fewest number of voters cast ballots for their local government. Municipal elections in Utah are also nonpartisan and have fewer participants than partisan races.
While this off-year election saw low turnout, voter participation is expected to increase with federal and state elections in 2024. There will also be three Summit County Council seats, a few County Courthouse positions and school board seats for Park City, North Summit and South Summit on the ballot. It’s scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The Clerk’s Office will perform a post-election audit of the ballots at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Summit County Courthouse. The public is invited to attend. The ballots will then be processed at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 in Coalville. The results of the 2023 election are not official until certified.