STATE OF UTAH
OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
DEIDRE M. HENDERSON
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY ELECTION ACCOMMODATION
2026
Emergency Context
WHEREAS the County Commission of San Juan County, Utah has issued a Declaration of Local Emergency - Severe Flooding and Extreme Weather Events October 25 - November 2, 2026 and;
WHEREAS such Emergency Declaration acknowledges that the rain and subsequent runoff and flooding events of October 25-26, and November 1-2, 2026 have threatened lives, homes, businesses, public infrastructure, and has caused severe damages to roadways, utilities and other infrastructure rendering those roadways and infrastructure unusable; and;
WHEREAS the storms have resulted in hazardous roadway conditions severely limiting public travel and;
WHEREAS San Juan County Emergency Management has issued a county-wide flood alert advising residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution, avoid flooded roadways and low-lying areas, and advising residents to remain prepared to make immediate protective action; and;
WHEREAS the vast geographic area of San Juan County including rural communities requires traveling extensive distances between residential areas and polling and ballot drop box locations, and flood damage and emergency conditions have made access to the polling places and/or voting drop boxes extremely difficult or impossible in certain areas in San Juan County, Utah including but not limited to: Aneth, Bluff, Dennehotso, Halchita, Mexican Hat, Mexican Water, Navajo Mountain, Oljeto, and Red Mesa.
Declaration of Voting Changes
NOW THEREFORE, Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson, in her capacity as Chief Election Officer of the State of Utah, and pursuant to Utah Code 20A-1-308 hereby directs the San Juan County Clerk to allow for and implement the following changes to method, time, or location of voting in the November 3, 2026 general election:
Voting Methods and Deadlines
1. Affected active voters registered in San Juan County may vote by placing their ballot in a drop box, voting in-person, mechanical ballot or via electronic means as described in Utah Code 20A-3a-201(1)(d); and applicable provisions of the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act, 20A-16-parts 1-4;
2. Affected voters choosing to vote using this method of assisted voting may state their request and intention to transmit their ballot by electronic means by calling #435-587-3223 x4, by no later than 5:00 p.m., November 3, 2026. We advise voters to make their request early and not to wait until 5:00 p.m.
3. All ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. November 3, 2026, regardless of the method used to vote.
4. Notice of these emergency voting accommodations will be and is hereby given as required in 20A-1-308(3).
Official Attestation
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah. Done on this, the 2 day of November, 2026.
Deidre M. Henderson
Lieutenant Governor, State of Utah
