Utah’s vacancy rules are getting a preemptive tightening after the Forward Party snagged a legislative seat via a late-session party switch. Sen. Daniel Thatcher flipped from Republican to Forward on the final day of the 2025 session, then announced he was resigning in October. Under current law, that gave the Forward Party the right to name his replacement, despite Thatcher originally winning as a Republican.

⏰ Tick Tock
19 days - Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026)
39 days - The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026)
42 days - First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026)
50 days - Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026)
75 days - Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026)
89 days - Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026)
148 days - Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026)
281 days - 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026)
1,016 days - 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028)