Notice of Intent to Gather Signatures for Candidacy (NIGS)
| Filed Intent to Gather Signatures | Filed for Office |
What are the signature requirements to run for office?
Listed below are the signature gathering requirements for offices up for election in 2026. A candidate must file a “notice of intent to gather signatures” form with the election officer to get the signature gathering packet. In order for a signature to be valid, the person must be a registered Utah voter at the time that their signature is reviewed by the county clerk’s office.
Before a signature packet can be turned in, the candidate must have reached the required minimum number of signatures before they can be accepted. Supplemental signatures may be turned in at any time following the initial submission. The signatures are verified in the order they are received. Therefore, if a voter signs two packets for candidates in the same race, that voters signature will count toward the candidate that submits the signature first.
All signatures must be signed physically and cannot be electronically signed.
2026 Candidate Signature Requirements:
In accordance with Utah Code §20A-9-408, the signature requirements for Qualified Political Party (QPP) candidates are provided.
- For county offices: 3% of all voters who reside within the district and are eligible to vote in the party’s primary election.
- Deadline to submit signatures is 5 p.m., on the last business day that is at least 14 days before the party’s convention.
In accordance with Utah Code §20A-9-408 (8)(v) candidates for State Board of Education must collect the lesser of:
- 2,000 signatures of registered voters who reside within the district and are permitted to vote in the party’s regular primary election. OR
- 3% of registered voters who reside within the district and are affiliated with the qualified political party.
In accordance with Utah Code §20A-9-502(5), the signature requirements for Unaffiliated candidates are provided.
- Signatures of 300 or 5% of registered voters who reside within the district, whichever is less.
- Signatures must be submitted and verified BEFORE declaring candidacy.
- Unaffiliated candidates may declare candidacy from January 2, 2026 – June 15, 2026, by 5:00pm.
| Qualified Political Party (QPP) | Voters permitted to vote in the party’s primary election |
| Constitution | Only voters affiliated with the party |
| Democratic | All voters (including Unaffiliated voters) |
| Forward | All voters (including unaffiliated voters) |
| Green | Only voters affiliated with the party |
| Independent American | All voters (including unaffiliated voters) |
| Libertarian | All voters (including Unaffiliated voters) |
| No Labels | Status as a political party has been terminated |
| Republican | Only voters affiliated with the party |
Signature thresholds:
| Federal and Statewide Candidates | All Parties | Unaffiliated |
| U.S. House of Representatives | 7,000 | 300 |
| State Senate | 2,000 | 300 |
| State House of Representatives | 1,000 | 300 |
| Party | State Board of Education District 14: | Millard County Offices |
| Constitution | 23 | 2 |
| Democratic | 248 | 221 |
| Forward | 5 | 221 |
| Green | 1 | 1 |
| Ind. American | 139 | 221 |
| Libertarian | 33 | 221 |
| Republican | 2000 | 166 |
| Unaffiliated | 300 | 300 |