By McKenzie Romero | Editor
Utahns are headed to the polls today to vote in a number of headline-making primary contests, including a four-way Democratic congressional primary and match-ups pitting incumbents against well-known challengers.
If you’re headed to a polling place or drop box today (don’t put your ballot in the mail, it’s too late) we have a breakdown of some important Election Day information.
In today’s Dispatch we lay out what voters need to know to cast a primary ballot, how some 17-year-Utahns might be able to vote today, and the warning following a fiery weekend across the state.
“There’s a lot of interest, and I’m seeing a lot of participation, and we love it. We love making sure that people have a meaningful opportunity to have their voices heard.” — Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman on strong turnout in the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary.
To make sure your vote counts on primary Election Day, hand in your ballot at a polling place in person, or drop your ballot in a designated voter drop box. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for Utah News Dispatch)
By Katie McKellar
As of Monday, the statewide turnout for the primaries sat at about 19.4%, according to state Director of Elections Ryan Cowley, which he described as “pretty light” turnout compared to other elections, “but then we typically do get a majority of ballots the day before and the day of Election Day.” Meanwhile, in Salt Lake County, turnout is up.
Ballots returned today should be put in drop boxes, not the mail. If you want to vote in person, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a valid form of identification, like a state ID or driver license, to cast your vote.
Nadia Ammar casts her ballot at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
By Katie McKellar
Under Utah law, 17-year-olds can vote in a regular primary election, a municipal primary election or a presidential primary election if they turn 18 “on or before the day of the general election that immediately follows” the primary.
Eligible 17-year-old Utahns who are already preregistered to vote are qualified to receive a by-mail ballot ahead of both the primary and the November general election. However, if a young voter isn’t already pre-registered, they can still vote in today’s primary if they go to a vote center to cast their ballot in person.
The Iron Fire burns near Eureka, Utah, in a photo shared by fire officials on Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info)
By Annie Knox
Wildfires raging in Utah forced the evacuation of an entire town over the weekend, rerouted ambulances away from a Salt Lake City hospital and demanded backup resources from other states.
For months, officials warned that a winter of record warmth and snow drought helped dry out the state, priming Utah for an especially dangerous fire season. By Monday, this year’s wildfires had torched more than 45,000 acres.
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