Candidate Information – Sheriff Vacancy Nomination

The Summit County Democratic Party will hold a Special Nominating Convention on:

📅 Thursday, September 25, 2025
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Ledges Conference Center, Coalville, Utah

The convention will select the Democratic nominee to fill the vacancy in the office of Summit County Sheriff, created by the retirement of Sheriff Frank Smith on September 5, 2025. The nominee selected at convention will be submitted to the Summit County Council for appointment to serve the remainder of Sheriff Smith’s term, ending December 31, 2026090625 Letter re Sheriff Vacancy.

Application Instructions

To be considered, candidates must submit the following by:
Deadline: Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM

📧 Email submissions to: chair@scdems.org

Your submission must include:

  1. Completed Candidate Application Form (download below).
  2. Certificate of POST Certification or Waiver from Utah POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training Division).
  3. Brief Biography (250 words or less).
  4. Current Photo (to be shared with convention delegates).

Download application and candidate declaration here: Candidate Declaration and Application

Legal Requirements for County Sheriff

Under Utah Code §§ 17-16-1, 17-22-1.5, 20A-2-101.5, 20A-9-201, 20A-9-202, applicants must meet the following:

  • U.S. Citizen at time of filing.
  • Registered voter in Summit County.
  • At least one-year resident of Summit County immediately before the date of the election.
  • POST Certification: Candidate must provide a certificate from the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Division confirming:
    • Successful completion of peace officer training requirements under Title 53, Chapter 6, OR
    • Qualification through waiver under §53-6-206.
  • Law Enforcement Qualifications: Candidate must meet the standards for certification as a law enforcement officer as defined in §53-13-103.
  • Felony Restrictions: If ever convicted of a felony, eligibility requires:
    • All felony convictions expunged, OR
    • At least 10 years since the most recent felony conviction, with all fines, restitution, probation, or parole fully completed.

Delegate Process

  • Accredited County Delegates of the Summit County Democratic Party will vote to select the nominee at the convention.
  • Candidate biographies and photos will be distributed to delegates prior to the convention.
  • The nominee’s name will then be forwarded to the Summit County Council for appointment.

Questions?

Contact:
Rory Swensen, Chair
Summit County Democratic Party
📧 chair@scdems.org