Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Parties can select replacement for County Office Vacancies HB 248

Carl Wimmer's House bill would allow county office vacancies to be filled by the political party where the vacancy occurred.  Currently, the party submits three names to the County Officers to select ONE of the three names.  In 2009 when Utah County clerk resigned, the Utah County Central Committee held an election and submitted the three names of the candidates who received the most votes.  Utah County Commissioners did NOT appoint the candidate with the largest number of votes to be the new clerk.

This bill would mean the Party Chair would submit only ONE name and the decision to not pick the winner would not be given to the county commissioners.

  " 49          (iii) The county legislative body shall[, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs,
             50      appoint one of those nominees] no later than five days after the day on which a party liaison
             51      submits the name of the person for the interim replacement appoint the person to serve out the
             52      unexpired term."


HB 248
Salt Lake Tribune

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