Election Day · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
How to vote in Utah
The deadlines, early voting, mail ballots and ID rules for Utah, and what happens after the polls close. Every fact links to the Utah Lieutenant Governor — Elections or the law it comes from. Rules change, and courts sometimes change them close to an election, so confirm anything you are relying on with the state.
Checked against official sources on October 8.
Key dates
- Register online by
Friday, October 23
The state says your county clerk must receive your registration by 5 p.m. Friday, October 23. After that you can still register and vote a provisional ballot.
- Register by mail by
Friday, October 23
Received, not postmarked: the county clerk must receive the form by 5 p.m. October 23. Paper forms can be mailed or emailed to the clerk.
- Register in person by
Friday, October 23
5 p.m. at your county clerk's office. After that you can register in person at an early voting location or on Election Day.
- Same-day registration
Yes
You can register in person at an early voting location or on Election Day by showing two forms of ID; you vote a provisional ballot.
- Early voting
Tuesday, October 20 to Friday, October 30
The early voting period begins 14 days before the election (Utah Code § 20A-3a-601). Counties may run fewer days, but at least four.
- How early voting works
Most Utah voters vote by mail. In-person early voting starts October 20; locations, days and hours are set by each county clerk.
- Request a mail ballot by
Tuesday, October 27
Last day to request a ballot if you didn't get one automatically (doesn't apply to military and overseas voters).
- Return your mail ballot by
Tuesday, November 3
Received, not postmarked, and this is new: a mailed ballot must reach the election officer by 8 p.m. on Election Day (§ 20A-3a-204(3)). The old postmark rule no longer applies. Drop boxes and polling-place ballot boxes also close at 8 p.m.; anyone in line then can still drop off.
- Election Day polling hours
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Anyone at the polls by 8 p.m. can vote.
Voting by mail
- Who can vote by mail
Every voter is mailed a ballot
Active registered voters get a ballot in the mail automatically; ballots go out from October 13. Some mail-ballot ID rules in statute change starting January 1, 2029; they don't affect 2026.
- Drop boxes
Yes
Secure drop boxes are in every county; you can also drop off at an early voting location or a polling place on Election Day, before 8 p.m.
- Ballots arriving after Election Day
Not counted — your ballot must arrive by the deadline
Mailed ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day; a postmark no longer counts. Military and overseas ballots follow separate rules (§ 20A-16-404).
ID at the polls
- The rule
ID required (photo not needed)
You must show one valid photo ID or two documents that together prove your name and address. A voter without ID votes provisionally and must provide ID to the election officer by November 9 (2026 calendar, § 20A-4-107(1)).
- What to bring
Show one valid photo ID (a Utah or U.S. government ID, a Utah concealed carry permit, a tribal ID, or a U.S. military ID), or two documents that together show your name and current address, such as a Social Security card, birth certificate, government check, Medicaid or Medicare card, student or employer ID, or Utah vehicle registration. If you're registering on the spot, you need proof of identity and proof of residence.
When will we know results in Utah?
How fast results come in depends mostly on when the polls close and when election officials are allowed to start on mail ballots. Totals shown on election night are unofficial until the state certifies them.
- Last polls close
8 p.m. Mountain time — 10 p.m. Eastern
- Counties finish their count by
Tuesday, November 17
County boards of canvassers may canvass from November 10 and must finish by November 17.
- State certifies results
Monday, November 23
Statewide canvass, Monday November 23 (§ 20A-4-306(1)(a)(i)).
- Automatic recount
Tie vote only
The election officer must recount when candidates tie for the top spot (§ 20A-4-401(2)).
- Requested recount
0.25% or less
A losing candidate may request a recount if the margin is 0.25% or less of all votes cast in the race (or one vote in races of 400 votes or fewer). The request is due by 5 p.m. on the first business day at least three calendar days after the canvass.
- Runoff
No runoff — the candidate with the most votes wins
Utah Code 20A-1-303 (Determining results): when one person is to be elected, "the person receiving the highest number of votes" is elected; 20A-4-304: canvassers declare elected those who "had the highest number of votes." Title 20A contains no general-election runoff; "instant runoff" appears only in the municipal alternate-voting pilot project (20A-4, Part 6).
- Ranked-choice voting
Not used
Instant-runoff voting exists only in the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project, for some city races; it is not used for state or federal races.
- Votes needed to pass a ballot measure
A simple majority
Simple majority. Utah Const. art. XXIII, § 1: a proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution "if a majority of the electors voting thereon shall approve the same."
What’s on your ballot
Every contest you will vote on, from Congress to school board, with each candidate’s positions and record and the arguments for and against them.
Confirm this with the official source
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Utah Lieutenant Governor — Elections.