2020 Utah elections

Last updated

2020 Utah elections
Flag of Utah.svg
  2018
2022  

Utah state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Aside from its presidential primaries held on March 3, its primary elections were held on June 30, 2020. [1]

Contents

In addition to the U.S. presidential race, Utah voters elected the Governor of Utah, 9 seats of its Board of Education, four of Utah's other executive officers, all of its seats to the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives, and 15 of 29 seats in the Utah State Senate. Neither of the state's two U.S. Senate seats were up for election, but there were also seven ballot measures which were voted on. [1]

Federal offices

President of the United States

Utah, a stronghold for the Republican Party and thus a reliable "red state", has 6 electoral votes in the Electoral College. Donald Trump won with 58.13% of the vote to Joe Biden's 37.65% of the vote. On December 14, 2020, Utah cast its electoral votes for Donald Trump.

United States House of Representatives

All 4 of Utah's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives were up for election. The Republican Party candidates won all 4 seats, with the party gaining the 4th congressional district seat from the Democratic Party.

Governor

Incumbent lieutenant governor Spencer Cox ran against University of Utah law professor and former CFPB official Christopher Peterson. Cox was elected to be Governor of Utah. He was elected with 64.3% of the vote.

Attorney general

2020 Utah Attorney General Election
Flag of Utah.svg
  2016 November 3, 2020 2024  
  Sean Reyes (5893896909) (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg 3x4.svg
Nominee Sean Reyes Greg SkordasRudy Bautista
Party Republican Democratic Libertarian
Popular vote878,853489,50082,444
Percentage60.6%33.7%5.7%

Attorney General before election

Sean Reyes
Republican

Elected Attorney General

Attorney General
Sean Reyes

Incumbent Republican attorney general Sean Reyes was elected for a third term with 60.6% of the vote in the general election. In the Republican primary, he faced challenger David O. Leavitt (Utah County attorney) after former attorney general John Swallow withdrew from the race. [2]

In the Democratic primary, attorney and ex-small claims court judge Greg Skordas, who was the Democratic nominee for the attorney general election in 2004, ran unopposed (following the withdrawal of Kevin Probasco). Rudy Bautista ran as a Libertarian. [2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in the primary
  • David Leavitt

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [lower-alpha 1]
Margin
of error
David
Leavitt
Sean
Reyes
John
Swallow
Undecided
Suffolk University/Salt Lake Tribune June 4–7, 2020500 (LV)± 4.4%26%30.8%43.2%
Y2 Analytics/UtahPolicy/KUTV 2 News May 9–15, 2020581 (LV) [lower-alpha 2] 40%60%
Y2 Analytics/UtahPolicy/KUTV 2 News March 21–30, 2020704 (LV) [lower-alpha 3] 32%54%15%

Results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Sean Reyes (incumbent) 275,207 54.0%
Republican David Leavitt234,02746.0%
Total votes509,234 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Greg Skordas
Eliminated at the convention
  • Kevin Probasco

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [lower-alpha 1]
Margin
of error
Kevin
Probasco
Greg
Skordas
Y2 Analytics/UtahPolicy/KUTV 2 News March 21–30, 2020223 (LV)± 6.6%28%72%

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [lower-alpha 1]
Margin
of error
Sean
Reyes (R)
Greg
Skordas (D)
OtherUndecided
Lighthouse Research/Salt Lake Tribune August 31–September 12, 20202,000 (RV)± 4.38%46%25%5% [lower-alpha 4] 23%

Results

2020 Utah Attorney General election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Sean Reyes (incumbent) 878,853 60.58%
Democratic Greg Skordas489,50033.74%
Libertarian Rudy Bautista82,4445.68%
Total votes1,450,797 100.00%

Auditor

2020 Utah Auditor election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Dougall (incumbent) 1,000,846 74.78%
United Utah Brian Fabbi173,64412.97%
Constitution Jeffrey Ostler163,87212.24%
Total votes1,338,362 100.00%

Treasurer

2020 Utah Treasurer election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David Damschen (incumbent) 994,115 74.57%
Libertarian Joseph Speciale198,54914.89%
Independent American Richard Proctor140,46610.54%
Total votes1,333,130 100.00%

State Board of Education

District 3

Republican convention

State Republican convention results (first round) [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Matt Hymas 99 70.2%
Republican Laurieann Thorpe (incumbent)4229.8%
Total votes141 100.0%

Results

State Board of Education, District 3 [5] :30
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Matt Hymas 43,331 59.5%
Democratic Brett Garner29,53340.5%
Total votes72,864 100.0%

District 4

Republican convention

State Republican convention results (first round) [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brent Strate 124 53.4%
Republican K'Leena Furniss10846.6%
Total votes232 100.0%

Results

State Board of Education, District 4 [5] :30
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brent Strate 76,774 100.0%
Total votes76,774 100.0%

District 7

Results

State Board of Education, District 7 [5] :30
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Carol Barlow Lear (incumbent) 80,993 100.0%
Total votes80,993 100.0%

District 8

Results

State Board of Education, District 8 [5] :32
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Janet Cannon (incumbent) 72,201 100.0%
Total votes72,201 100.0%

District 10

Republican nomination

Convention
Republican convention results [4]
CandidateRound 1Round 2
Votes%Votes%
David Linford%%
Molly Hart%%
Jeffrey Ferlo%Eliminated
Inactive Ballots 0 ballots0 ballots
Primary
Republican primary results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Molly Hart 22,101 67.3%
Republican David Linford10,74132.7%
Total votes32,842 100.0%

Results

State Board of Education, District 10 [5] :32
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Molly Hart 81,974 100.0%
Total votes72,201 100.0%

District 11

Republican convention

State Republican convention results (first round) [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Natalie Cline 162 64.8%
Republican Mike Haynes (incumbent)8835.2%
Total votes250 100.0%

Results

State Board of Education, District 11 [5] :30
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Natalie Cline 80,720 69.0%
Independent Tony Zani36,23231.0%
Total votes116,952 100.0%

District 12

Republican convention

Republican convention results [4] [6]
CandidateRound 1 & 2Round 3
Votes%Votes%
James Moss17156.2%21071.7%
Lorri-Sue Blunt7123.4%8328.3%
Joe Rivest6220.4%Eliminated
Inactive Ballots 0 ballots11 ballots

Results

State Board of Education, District 12 [5] :30
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican James Moss Jr. 69,864 76.4%
Constitution Catherine Rebekah Taylor21,62523.6%
Total votes91,489 100.0%

District 13

Republican nomination

Convention
Republican convention results [4]
CandidateRound 1Round 2
Votes%Votes%
Randy Boothe%%
Alyson Williams%%
Jeff Rust%Eliminated
Inactive Ballots 0 ballots0 ballots
Primary
Republican primary results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Randy Boothe 14,094 52.1%
Republican Alyson Williams12,97847.9%
Total votes27,072 100.0%

Results

State Board of Education, District 13 [5] :32
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Randy Boothe 65,414 100.0%
Total votes65,414 100.0%

District 15

Republican nomination

Convention
Republican convention results [4]
CandidateRound 1Round 2
Votes%Votes%
Scott F. Smith14045.6%161 53.8%
Kristan Norton11236.5%13846.2%
Dale M Brinkerhoff5517.9%Eliminated
Inactive Ballots 0 ballots8 ballots
Primary
Republican primary results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Kristan Norton 27,351 61.2%
Republican Scott Smith17,36838.8%
Total votes27,072 100.0%

Results

State Board of Education, District 15 [5] :30
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Kristan Norton 95,227 100.0%
Total votes95,227 100.0%

State legislature

All 75 seats of the Utah House of Representatives and 15 of 29 seats of the Utah State Senate were up for election. Before the election the composition of the Utah State Legislature was:

After the election, the composition was:

State Judiciary

Utah Supreme Court

Retain Judge John A. Pearce for 10 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,025,58581.5
No232,40718.5
Total votes1,257,992100.00
Source: Ballotpedia

Utah Court of Appeals

Retain Judge Michele Christiansen for 6 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,023,08282.4
No218,80417.6
Total votes1,257,992100.00
Source: Ballotpedia
Retain Judge Diana Hagen for 6 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,038,61283.1
No211,81016.9
Total votes1,250,422100.00
Source: Ballotpedia
Retain Judge Ryan M. Harris for 6 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes925,08075.0
No308,01525.0
Total votes1,233,095100.00
Source: Ballotpedia
Retain Judge David Mortensen for 6 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes967,50077.7
No277,92422.3
Total votes1,245,424100.00
Source: Ballotpedia
Retain Judge Gregory Orme for 6 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes994,54280.0
No248,15320.0
Total votes1,242,695100.00
Source: Ballotpedia
Retain Judge Jill Pohlman for 6 more years
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,036,00783.1
No210,29016.9
Total votes1,246,297100.00
Source: Ballotpedia

Ballot measures

Measure SJR 9 is a state constitutional amendment to allow income tax to fund programs for children and people with disabilities. [7]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [lower-alpha 1]
Margin
of error
For SJR 9Against SJR 9Undecided
Y2 Analytics/UtahPolicy/KUTV 2 News March 21–30, 20201,260 (LV)± 2.8%46%35%19%

Amendment A

Update Gender Terminology
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes828,62957.69
No607,82942.31
Total votes1,436,458100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Amendment B

Lawmaker Eligibility Timing
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,114,79580.10
No276,89719.90
Total votes1,391,692100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Amendment C

Remove Slavery Exception
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,138,97480.48
No276,17119.52
Total votes1,415,145100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Amendment D

Revise Local Water Rights
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes827,59661.14
No525,98538.86
Total votes1,353,581100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Amendment E

Add Right to Hunt and Fish
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,063,21274.92
No355,84825.08
Total votes1,419,060100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Amendment F

Legislative Session Dates
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes895,43566.51
No450,83533.49
Total votes1,346,270100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Amendment G

Expand Income, Prop Tax Uses
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes764,42054.09
No648,84045.91
Total votes1,413,260100.00
Source: Associated Press [3]

Voting Information

The 2020 election took place against a backdrop of uncertainty. The following data tables highlight voter registration rules, in-person voting procedures, and absentee voting procedures relevant to the November 3, 2020, general election in the state of Utah.

Voter registration in Utah [8]
Registration URL Link
Registration status URL Link
Registration update URL Link
In-person registration deadlineOctober 23, 2020
Mail registration deadlineOctober 23, 2020
Mail postmark or receipt deadlineReceived
Online registration deadlineOctober 23, 2020
Same-day registrationYes
Early voting same-day registrationYes
In-person voting in Utah [9]
All voters required to show IDYes
ID types Link
ID source URL Link
Early voting start dateOctober 20, 2020
Early voting end dateOctober 30, 2020
Weekend voting?Yes
Early voting source URL Link
Election Day poll times7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Absentee voting in Utah [10]
Are there limits on who can request a ballot?No
Mail request deadlineN/A
Request postmark or receipt deadlineN/A
Mail return deadlineNovember 2, 2020
Return postmark or receipt deadlinePostmarked
Notary/witness requirementsNo requirement

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. Including registered Republican likely primary voters and currently unaffiliated likely primary voters
  3. Including registered Republican likely primary voters and currently unaffiliated likely primary voters
  4. Bautista (L) with 5%; "Other" with no voters
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    References

    1. 1 2 "Utah elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
    2. 1 2 "UTAH". Politics1. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
    3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Election Results". Associated Press. November 27, 2020.
    4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Convention Results". The Utah Republican Party. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Utah Voting Results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
    6. "State Board of Education - District 12".
    7. "Utah Political Trends Panel March 2020" (PDF). Y2 Analytics. March 30, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
    8. "Utah elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
    9. "Utah elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
    10. "Utah elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 30, 2021.