One of the items on the agenda in this month’s special session is a slight change to Utah’s 2020 election schedule that will allow the state’s political parties more time to hold their nominating conventions.
As it stands, political parties must certify their candidates for the primary ballot on the third Monday in April. Normally, that would not be a problem, but next year half of the four weekends between the March 19 filing deadline and the April 20 certification date are already taken up with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints General Conference (April 4-5) and Easter weekend (April 11-12). That would require the Republican and Democratic parties to hold their state convention on April 18, leaving March 28 as the only open Saturday for large counties to hold their nominating conventions.
Moving the certification date back one week would allow the parties to hold their state conventions as late as April 25, with the certification deadline on April 27.
|
Event |
Timeline without changes |
Timeline with changes |
|
March 19 |
Filing deadline for candidates |
Filing deadline for candidates |
|
March 24 |
Caucus Night |
Caucus Night |
|
March 28 |
Open Saturday |
Open Saturday |
|
April 4-5 |
General Conference |
General Conference |
|
April 11-12 |
Easter weekend |
Easter Weekend |
|
April 18 |
Last possible Saturday for state conventions |
Open weekend |
|
April 20 |
Certification due to county clerks |
|
|
April 25 |
Last possible Saturday for state convention |
|
|
April 27 |
Certification due to county clerks |
Advocates of the change say moving the certification date back one week would compress the time county clerks have to produce the primary ballots and get them mailed to overseas and military voters, but the clerks have reportedly said they can adapt to the new timeline.
