HomeMy WebLinkAboutProposed Resolution - 6/2/2026 RESOLUTION NO. __ OF 2026
Adopting a fair and transparent method to eliminate applicants to fill
the midterm vacancy on the City Council representing District 4
WHEREAS, pursuant to Utah Code section 20A-1-510 the Salt Lake City Council is
required to adopt a fair and transparent method for eliminating applicants by vote or, in the event
of certain ties, by lot before interviewing applicants to fill the midterm vacancy on the City
Council representing District 4.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah
that the midterm vacancy on the City Council representing District 4 shall be filled using the
sequential method set forth below:
Step 1: Applicant Interviews. In an open and public meeting, the City Council will
interview each person whose name is submitted for consideration that meets the qualifications
for office. To be interviewed, the applicant must be present, in person, at the open and public
meeting.
Step 2: Initial Vote. After the City Council interviews all applicants to fill the midterm
vacancy, it shall take an initial vote to fill the vacancy with one of the individuals that were
interviewed. The vote shall be an individual voice vote where each council member shall state
the name of the applicant they are voting for. If a single applicant receives the votes of the
majority of the City Council, that applicant shall be appointed to fill the vacant seat.
Step 3: Elimination by Lot. If the initial vote does not result in a single applicant
receiving a majority vote of the City Council, the pool of applicants shall be narrowed to two
applicants using the following method and a second vote taken between those two applicants:
(i) The two applicants that received the most votes, or tied for the most votes,
shall proceed to the second vote. The other applicants shall be eliminated from
consideration for the vacant seat.
(iii) In the event that one applicant receives the most votes during the initial vote,
but there is a tie for second most votes, the applicant that received the most votes shall
move forward to the second vote. The applicants tied for the second most votes shall each
have their name written on identical sized pieces of paper and placed into a bowl. The
City Recorder shall then randomly pull a single paper from the bowl. The name of the
applicant on the paper pulled from the bowl shall be the second applicant to move
forward to the second vote. All other applicants shall be eliminated from consideration
for the vacant seat.
(ii) In the event of a tie for most votes between three or more applicants after the
initial vote, each tied applicant shall have their name written on identical sized pieces of
paper and placed into a bowl. The City Recorder shall simultaneously pull two pieces of
paper from the bowl. The names of the applicants on the papers pulled from the bowl
shall be the two applicants to move forward to the second vote. All other applicants shall
be eliminated from consideration for the vacant seat.
Step 4: Second Vote. The City Council shall take second vote between the two
applicants identified in Step 3 to fill the vacancy. If a single applicant receives a majority vote
of the City Council in the second vote, that applicant shall be appointed to fill the vacant seat.
Step 5: Coin Toss. If the applicants tie for most votes received during the second vote,
the individual appointed to fill the midterm vacancy shall be determined by a coin toss
conducted in a public meeting in front of the City Council. The City Recorder shall provide the
coin, toss the coin, verify and announce the winner of the coin toss. The City Recorder shall
alphabetize the applicants last names and the applicant whose name appears first in alphabetical
order shall be assigned “heads.” The other applicant shall be assigned “tails.”
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this ____ day of June 2026
SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
By:___________________________
Alejandro Puy, Council Chair
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
Keith Reynolds, City Recorder
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date: May 28, 2026
By: /s/ David Quealy
David Quealy, Senior City Attorney