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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A bill that would mandate run-off primary elections has passed a committee vote and moves on for a vote on the House floor.
Passing a committee vote Thursday afternoon with 9-4, H.B. 231 would mandate that nominees that don’t receive 50% of the vote in a primary race would have to compete again in a following run-off election with the candidate who received the second most votes.
The bill specifies that these run-off elections would only be applied to state and federal offices and would not affect county or municipal races. It would also require the run-off election to be ran 35 days after the initial primary election.
Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R- District 44), the sponsor of the bill, says that this bill will make it fairer to go back to voters to make sure they want someone to represent them on the general ballot.
“I think it’s fair to go back to the voters and make sure that a majority of those within the party that they want [a candidate] to represent them on the general ballot,” Teuscher began. “I think that is more representative, more Hippocratic in the process and its good policy.”
During discussion of the bill, several legislators brought up funding concerns. Rep. Paul Cutler (R- District 18) said that though he loved the idea of run-offs, though he had concerns of how it would be paid for.
“I love the idea. It’s great, I would like to do it, the challenge is the money,” Cutler began. “I look at this over 20 years, this is a 27-[million]-dollar property tax increase. Thats how counties pay for things. If we can figure out how to pay for it, I am all for it.”
Turnout was also brought up as a possible issue. Representatives sharing concerns that a run-off election wouldn’t share the same turnout as the initial primary. Rep. Douglas R. Welton shared concerns that multiple rounds of voting could defeat the purpose of the second round by not getting the same turnout as the initial primary.
During public comment of the bill, current and former county clerks came to oppose the legislation, along with a representative from Lt. Governor’s office to express concerns about the bill. Ricky Hatch, current Weber County clerk, expressed concerns over the timing, funding, and turnout.
“The timing is so tight that it leaves no room if there is a contest, if there is a recount, it really is problematic,” Hatch told members of the committee. “From a clerks’ … perspective it really concerns us.”
“I love our clerks, I love working with them,” Tuescher began as the committee was set to vote on the measure. “Though they can really be a bit of a stick in the mud. Every time we bring a challenge to them; they don’t want to do anything. Change is very hard, and I get that, but we can figure this out.”
With its passage in committee the bill will go to the House floor for a vote and will then have to move through the senate before it can become law.
For more coverage on the 2025 General Session, visit Inside Utah Politics!