Candidates for Summit County races gather signatures to secure place on ballot

A map of Summit County's newly approved districts. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — Candidates in both this year’s Summit County Council races are gathering voter signatures ahead of upcoming party caucuses in an effort to secure a spot on the primary ballot.

In the race for the Summit County Council District 5 seat, incumbent Canice Harte said he is collecting signatures as part of Utah’s dual-path nomination process, which allows candidates to qualify for the ballot either through the party convention system or by gathering signatures.

In the District 4 race, both former Summit County Planning Commission Chair, John Kucera, and Christie Babalis, legal council for ski area developer Pacific Group Resorts, confirmed they are also gathering signatures.

The effort comes as the Summit County Democratic Party prepares for neighborhood caucus meetings scheduled for March 17, where party members will select delegates who later vote at the party’s April convention.

Under Utah law, candidates who win at least 60% of delegate support at the convention can secure the party nomination outright and avoid a primary election. But candidates who collect the required number of valid signatures are guaranteed a spot on the primary ballot regardless of the convention outcome. Any registered voter can sign regardless of political party.

For District 5, candidates must gather about 179 verified signatures.

Harte said collecting signatures is a way to ensure voters still have a say in the race even if one candidate receives strong delegate support at convention.

“What signatures does is it just is like a safety net,” Harte said. “So if you were not to win at the caucus, it would mean that you would go to the primary. It essentially forces a primary in any race where one or more candidates gather the signatures.”

Harte is facing a challenge from Park City School District Board of Education President Meredith Reed. Reed did not respond to a request for comment about whether she is gathering signatures.

The District 5 race covers areas including lower Pinebrook, Jeremy Ranch and Summit Park.

Because Republicans have not fielded candidates in either council race this year, the Democratic primary in June could effectively determine the eventual winner.

“Only registered Democrats are automatically sent a ballot,” Harte said. “But unaffiliated voters and Republicans can request one and participate in the primary if they want to.”

District 4 race also gathering signatures

A similar effort is underway in the race for the Summit County Council District 4 seat, where candidates John Kucera and Christie Babalis are seeking signatures.

District 4 includes the Snyderville Basin, Kimball Junction and areas east toward Old Ranch Road. The seat is open after longtime councilmember Chris Robinson announced he would not seek reelection after about 15 years on the council.

Kucera said the signature process ensures candidates remain eligible for the ballot even if they do not win strong delegate support at convention.

“Once those delegates are selected, they come back for the county convention and vote on which candidates they would like to put on the primary ballot,” Kucera said. “If a 60% threshold is met, the other candidate wouldn’t be on the primary ballot unless they have the nomination petition signatures.”

Kucera said collecting signatures has also served as an opportunity to begin meeting voters across the district.

“I’ve been knocking on doors and talking to people,” he said. “It’s been a good way to start campaigning and introduce myself and talk about the issues.”

He added that the process can be more time-consuming than it might appear because signatures must be collected in person and verified by election officials.

“It sounds like a small number,” Kucera said, referring to the roughly 169 signatures required in District 4. “But you have to be there in person, witness the signature and make sure all the information is correct.”

New district system

This election cycle marks the first time Summit County Council races are being held in newly created geographic districts rather than countywide seats.

The change significantly lowered the number of signatures required to qualify for the ballot. Previously, candidates seeking countywide office often needed hundreds or even thousands of signatures.

Harte said the smaller districts may make it easier for candidates to connect directly with voters.

“You’re not trying to blanket the entire county,” he said. “You can focus your effort on a smaller area and hopefully talk to more people.”

After the March 17 caucus meetings, delegates selected in each precinct will attend the Democratic convention in early April, where they will vote on the party’s nominee.

If no candidate reaches the 60% delegate threshold — or if candidates qualify through signatures — the race will advance to a primary election in June.

With no Republican candidates currently running in either District 4 or District 5, the primary winner would likely advance to the November ballot unopposed.