Park City Mayor’s race narrows to seven votes, triggering recount window

A ballot drop box off of Marsac Avenue next to City Hall. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah – The already razor-thin race for Park City mayor has tightened even further. New results released Monday evening show candidate Ryan Dickey ahead of Jack Rubin by just seven votes — a margin narrow enough for Rubin to request a recount under Utah law.

Dickey now holds 1,706 votes to Rubin’s 1,699, a difference of 0.2%. State law allows a losing candidate to seek a recount if the race is decided by 0.25% or less of the total votes cast. Park City will certify the election results at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, starting the three-day window for Rubin to file such a request.

City Recorder Michelle Kellogg said she expects a recount.

Rubin declined to comment on the updated numbers Monday night.

Dickey, in a written statement, said he is excited about the trajectory of the race and thanked supporters.

“My opponent is entitled to request a recount, and we will of course fully respect his decision should he request one,” Dickey said. “We remain extremely confident in the accuracy of the count, the professionalism of the Summit County clerk’s office and the strength of our election system.”

Last week’s preliminary results had the two candidates separated by 11 votes.

If Rubin moves forward, Utah Code § 20A-4-401 outlines how the recount would unfold. For close-margin races, a losing candidate must file by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least three days after canvass. Once requested, the election officer must conduct a full recount within seven days, reviewing all ballots cast and reexamining any previously uncounted ballots.

The city — not the candidate — would cover the full cost of the recount, regardless of the outcome.

If the totals shift after the process, the candidate with the most votes in the recount is declared the winner.