A Park City High School student has developed a bilingual voter information guide to increase accessibility for Spanish-speaking residents, providing essential election details in both English and Spanish. This project follows the reconvening of the Utah Attorney General's Student Advisory Council by Attorney General Derek Brown on Oct. 5, 2026, an initiative originally established on Jan. 11, 2026, to foster civic engagement among Utah high schoolers.
Bilingual Voting Resources
The new resource, which includes a summarized and translated voter guide for Utah midterm elections, was produced in collaboration with KPCW and the Park Record. According to the Immigration Translation Project, the guide offers a full unofficial guide to assist voters in navigating the electoral process.
Demographic Language Trends
The effort to provide multilingual resources addresses a significant demographic in the region. U.S. Census Bureau data for Wasatch County, Utah, shows that 29,124 residents aged 18 to 64 speak only English, while 5,299 residents in that same age bracket speak Spanish. Among citizens 18 years and older in the county, 24,444 speak only English, whereas 2,580 speak Spanish. The data also indicates that 1,719 residents aged 18 to 64 speak a language other than English, and 1,175 residents aged 65 and older speak Spanish.
Student Advisory Council Mission
The student-led initiative aligns with the mission of the Attorney General's Student Advisory Council, which was reconvened by Attorney General Derek Brown on Oct. 5, 2026. The council aims to provide high school juniors and seniors with hands-on experience in civic engagement, public policy, and community service. By participating, students gain a platform to share their perspectives and learn how to impact their schools and communities while hearing from state leaders and legal professionals.
Council Participation and Meetings
The Student Advisory Council, which was first established on Jan. 11, 2026, requires members to be Utah residents and high school juniors or seniors. Participants attend monthly meetings, held once a month on a Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., at the Utah State Capitol or virtually for students living far from Salt Lake City. These meetings include seminars and presentations from various figures, including the Attorney General, judges, prosecutors, policy directors, agency heads, and legislators.
Civic Engagement and Impact
Beyond monthly roundtable discussions and advisory feedback, the council requires students to lead a civic engagement project in their community. Past council initiatives have offered feedback on various topics, such as the SafeUT App, the L.E.T.S. Stay Safe Utah initiative, social media, substance abuse, youth crime, and online safety. The program is designed to equip students to lead outreach or prevention efforts within their respective schools and communities.
Student Benefits and Requirements
The Attorney General's office stated that the council's purpose is to mentor the rising generation by offering meaningful platforms for leadership and public speaking development. Students in the program receive a certificate of service and recognition, alongside opportunities for networking with peers and legal professionals. Applications for the 2026/2027 school year are currently closed.
County Election Information
Wasatch County continues to provide election and voter information through its official channels, including public accuracy testing for voting equipment. The county maintains resources to assist residents with election-related inquiries and accessibility needs.
