Utah § 17-62-202 - Expanded county commission form of government -- Commission member elections.
Full text of Utah Utah Code § 17-62-202 — Expanded county commission form of government -- Commission member elections., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-62-202. Expanded county commission form of government -- Commission member elections.
Effective 5/6/2026 17-62-202.
Expanded county commission form of government -- Commission member elections.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Midterm vacancy" means the same as that term is defined in Section 17-62-201.
(b)
"Open position" means the same as that term is defined in Section 17-62-201.
(c)
"Opt-in county" means a county that has, in accordance with Subsection (6)(a), chosen to conduct county commissioner elections in accordance with Subsection (6).
(2)
A county commission consisting of five or seven members shall govern each county operating under an expanded county commission form of government.
(3)
A county commission under the expanded county commission form of government is both the county legislative body and the county executive and has the powers, duties, and functions of a county legislative body under Chapter 64, County Legislative Body, and the powers, duties, and functions of a county executive under Chapter 65, County Executive.
(4)
Except as otherwise provided in an optional plan adopted under this chapter:
(a)
the term of office of each county commission member is four years;
(b)
the terms of county commission members shall be staggered so that approximately half the members are elected at alternating regular general election dates; and
(c)
each county commission member shall be elected:
(i)
at large, unless otherwise required by court order; and
if multiple at-large county commission positions are vacant for an election, the positions shall be designated "county commission seat A," "county commission seat B," and so on as necessary for the number of vacant positions;
(b)
each candidate who files a declaration of candidacy when multiple positions are vacant shall designate the letter of the county commission seat for which the candidate is a candidate; and
(c)
no person may file a declaration of candidacy for, be a candidate for, or be elected to two county commission positions in the same election.
(6)
(a)
A county of the first or second class may, through an optional plan as described in Subsection 17-62-403(5) or by ordinance, choose to conduct county commissioner elections in accordance with this Subsection (6).
(b)
When issuing the notice described in Section 20A-5a-202, the clerk of an opt-in county shall, if there is at least one open position and at least one midterm vacancy, designate:
(i)
each open position as "open position"; and
(ii)
each midterm vacancy as "midterm vacancy."
(c)
An individual who files a declaration of candidacy for the office of county commissioner in an opt-in county:
(i)
if there is more than one open position, is not required to indicate which open position the individual is running for;
(ii)
if there is at least one open position and at least one midterm vacancy, shall designate on the declaration of candidacy whether the individual is filing for an open position or a midterm vacancy; and
(iii)
may not file a declaration of candidacy for an open position and a midterm vacancy in the same election.
(d)
If there is an open position and a midterm vacancy being voted upon in the same election in an opt-in county, the county clerk shall indicate on the ballot for the election which positions are open positions and which positions are midterm vacancies.
(e)
In an opt-in county:
(i)
the candidates for open positions, in a number equal to the number of open positions, who receive the highest number of votes are:
(A)
for the purposes of a regular primary election, nominated by the candidates' party for the open positions; and
(B)
for the purposes of a regular general election, elected to fill the open positions; and
(ii)
the candidates for midterm vacancies, in a number equal to the number of midterm vacancies, who receive the highest number of votes are:
(A)
for the purposes of a regular primary election, nominated by the candidates' party for the midterm vacancies; and
(B)
for the purposes of a regular general election, elected to fill the midterm vacancies.
Section 17-62-202 ("Expanded county commission form of government -- Commission member elections.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Utah § 17-62-202?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 17-62-202" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Utah law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.
How does Utah § 17-62-202 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
