It’ll cost $400 just to ask Davis County Republicans for a job most people can’t even apply for. With eight-term County Surveyor Max Elliot retiring in September, the Davis County GOP is charging would-be replacements a $400 “filing fee” to appear on the ballot for a delegates-only special election ballot.
Party Chair Don Guymon says the filing fee will help defray costs for holding the special election.
“For this special election, we decided to simplify the process by charging one $400 fee, which includes the candidate’s convention table,” Guymon said, adding it is likely less than a candidate would pay to file in a regular election plus buy booth space at the special election.
At the party’s 2026 convention at Syracuse High School, candidates paid $400 for a booth or table, with discounts for larger spaces. Not every candidate bought one.
Charging candidates to get on a party ballot appears to be unique, at least compared with Utah and Salt Lake counties. Utah County GOP Chair Cristy Henshaw said they do not charge candidates to participate.
“Our position is the party should provide the easiest, most accessible path for our members who, on good ideas, sound principles, hard work, and virtues can become viable candidates,” Henshaw said in an email. “We know that money plays a role in politics, and we seek to remove that obstacle wherever we can so that all of our members have equal access.”
Henshaw said the party previously charged a small fee for candidates seeking the party’s endorsement in municipal races to help cover venue costs, but candidates could have it waived with no questions asked.
The Salt Lake County Republican Party also does not charge a filing fee to candidates.
The fee is an extra hurdle for a job most Republicans couldn’t take even if they wanted to. Candidates must be a registered Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in Utah, with a degree in land surveying or geomatics (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate). They also must have two to six years of experience as a land surveyor, complete additional coursework, and pass a licensing exam.
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