Voter list grows nearly 10 percent since 2016

San Juan County Clerk John David Nielson says that as of September 29, the county has 7,730 people registered to vote in the 2020 general election. This is already a record high, with more than a month to go before the election.

This represents a nearly 10 percent increase in the number of registered voters since the last presidential election in 2016.

Nielson says there are probably an additional 1,200 residents of the county who may be eligible, but who are not registered to vote.

In the 2019 election, 57 percent of the 7,343 registered voters in the county cast a ballot.

Two years earlier, in the 2018 midterm election, 74 percent of the 7,460 registered voters in the county cast a ballot.

In the previous presidential election, in 2016, 78 percent of the 7,062 registered voters in the county cast a ballot.

In addition to the Presidential Election, voters in San Juan County may also cast ballots for Utah Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, and Treasurer, in addition a Congressional representative, and a member of the Utah House of Representatives.

Locally is the District 1 County Commission race between Republican incumbent Bruce Adams and United Utah Party candidate Monette Clark.

Additionally, there are a series of other state representative, school board, and county officials who are running unopposed on the ballot. Bret Hosler is running a write-in candidacy against Merri Shumway for the seat representing District 2 on the San Juan School Board.

Residents in Bluff will also vote on Proposition #11 which asks if the Bluff Service Area should be dissolved.

The deadline to register to vote by mail is Friday, October 23. However, you can register and vote in person at an early voting location or at the polls on Election Day.

Those who show up to the polls on election day and are unable to register to vote (such as if you forget an adequate identification) can cast a provisional ballot.

Residents can check their status or register online at vote.utah.gov. Registration may also be completed in person at the county clerk’s office in Monticello.

Ballots are mailed out starting October 3. Returned ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 2. Ballots can also be dropped off in person at voting locations.

The San Juan Record will print profiles provided by the candidates, including profiles of unopposed candidates in the October 7 issue, profiles of County Commission candidates in the October 14 issue, profiles of Utah Governor and Attorney General candidates in the October 21 issue, and profiles of candidates for Utah’s Third Congressional District in the October 28 issue.

Early Voting locations include:

The Montezuma Creek Diné Professional building on Monday, October 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Bluff Community Center on Wednesday, October 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Monument Valley Welcome Center on Friday, October 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Aneth Chapter House on Tuesday, October 6 and 20 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The Red Mesa Chapter House on Thursday, October 8 and 22 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The Mexican Water Chapter House on Tuesday, October 13 and 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The Navajo Mountain Chapter House on Thursday, October 15 and 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Election Day Voting will take place at the Montezuma Creek Diné Professional building, Monument Valley Welcome Center, Navajo Mountain Chapter House, and the county clerk’s office in Monticello, all from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Navajo Language assistants will be available at each election site.