All Roll Calls
Yes: 110 • No: 9
UtahH.B. 4202026 General SessionHouse
Municipal Office Vacancy Modifications
Sponsored By: Andrew Stoddard (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Election LawVoting and Voter RegistrationPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)Government Operations (State Issues)Election AdministrationMunicipal Officers
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Public votes for Utah municipal replacements
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah municipal councils must immediately publish every vacancy-filling vote, including how each member voted. A majority is based on members currently serving, including members whose future resignation date has not arrived. Before candidate interviews, the council must adopt a fair, transparent, equal-chance drawing method by resolution or ordinance. It reduces a first-place tie among three or more candidates to two. When the leader lacks a majority, it reduces candidates tied for second place to one. If nobody wins a majority initially, the top two advance to a second vote. If neither wins a majority then, the clerk or recorder conducts a coin toss at a public meeting. A mayor legally allowed to break ties counts toward the majority unless seeking and being considered for the vacancy. Drawing lots and coin tosses do not apply when the mayor can break the tie.
New deadlines for filling Utah municipal offices
Beginning May 6, 2026, an immediate resignation creates a Utah municipal vacancy when the official submits the letter. That letter need not be irrevocable; a future-dated resignation must be irrevocable and creates the vacancy on that date. The municipal council must appoint a replacement within 30 calendar days after receiving the resignation letter, even before a future vacancy. The appointee must be a registered local voter, meet the office's qualifications, and serve the remaining term. Neither the council nor the governor can appoint the person who left to fill that same vacancy. The appointee takes office on the later of the day after appointment or the day after the vacancy occurs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Andrew Stoddard
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Karen Kwan
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 58 • No: 9
House vote • 2/13/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/27/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/26/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/23/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #1
2/12/2026
Introduced
1/28/2026