If you're reading this, Utah needs you.
We're often asked, "What does it take to run for office?" If:
- You care about your community
- You believe that politics is broken, but fixable
- You meet the legal requirements to hold office
- You are willing to do the work
Then you can run for office — and if it's a partisan position, you should run with Forward.
We want to help you succeed.
It might sound hyperbolic or hard to believe, but look around and consider the situation: there has never been a better time to run outside the two-party system than now, in this moment, here in Utah.
Utahns are overwhelmingly supportive of the idea of building a viable third party committed to values. We're making the news with our innovative approach, so the press has become interested. In Utah, there's a new State Senator already representing us at the Capitol and a strong core of activated, experienced volunteers. Nationally, we have a recognizable brand and notable leaders.
The stage has been set.
Since our party is built on values, not a platform, you can bring your own ideas with you, exactly as they are, and nobody will tell you that you need to change them.
Our plan makes a lot of sense. This moment in history is ripe for change. We only need more risk-takers to join our ranks, and the whole thing will fall neatly into place.
In 2026, the bold will be rewarded.
What it Takes to Run with Forward
Four Simple Steps
Step 1: Choose the race you want to run
Forward candidates run in partisan races, which take place in even-numbered election years. In Utah, 2026 is a major partisan election year. Forward candidates may run in the following races:
- Utah State House
- Utah State Senate
- Utah State Board of Education
- U.S. House of Representatives
- County-level Offices (County Council, Mayor, Clerk, Sheriff, and others)
Note that Forward does not run candidates in nonpartisan races (such as most city council, school board, or judicial elections). If a race does not list party affiliation on the ballot, it's considered nonpartisan and usually occurs in odd-numbered years.
Step 2: Affiliate with the Forward Party
You can't run with us unless you're a registered member of the party! Go to vote.utah.gov to confirm you're registered with the Forward Party. It only takes a moment.
If you were a member of the Utah Forward Party before April 2025, when our party merged with the United Utah Party (UUP), then your registration was changed to Unaffiliated by the State, and you MUST update your party registration to Forward. If you were a member of the UUP before the merger, your affiliation should now be listed as the Forward Party of Utah...but we still recommend you check!
Step 3: File to run in person between January 2 and January 8, 2026
The filing deadline in Utah is early. Problematically early. If you're still on the fence about running, we recommend you go ahead and file (you can always withdraw later).
Don't let the early filing deadline stop you.
To file, you must:
- File in-person at either the Lieutenant Governor's Office at the State Capitol, or at your local County Clerk's office.
- Verify that you meet the legal requirements to run for office
- Pay a filing fee that varies based on the office ($50 + 1% of the salary for the term). In 2026, it's:
- $83.86 for Utah State House
- $117.73 for Utah State Senate
- $89.69 for Utah State Board of Education
- $485.00 for U.S. House of Representatives
- Varies by County office
Step 4: Let us know so we can support you
Let us know of your intention to run, so we can start the requisite background checks, have you sign our candidate values pledge, and so we know how to contact you to help you with your campaign. Send an email to [email protected] and we'll be in touch as soon as possible!
You'll work with us as the state party, but we also recommend you review the national page for candidate testimonials, FAQs, and a link to the Candidate Pledge.
Do I need to collect signatures?
No! Compared to running as an independent, this is a big advantage. The Forward Party of Utah is a Qualified Political Party, which means a candidate can seek its party's nomination at convention (in April), then pass directly onto the General Election.
Helpful Resources
https://ballotpedia.org/How_to_run_for_office_in_Utah
https://ltgovernor.utah.gov/
https://vote.utah.gov/resources-for-candidates-political-groups-parties/
https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-Partisan-Legislative-Declaration-of-Candidacy-2.pdf
https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-Candidate-Manual.pdf
https://disclosures.utah.gov/
