A New Way to Choose Representation in Utah
The Forward Party of Utah is launching a first-of-its-kind, open process to fill the Utah Senate District 11 vacancy.
a Transparent experiment in senate district 11
Nearly one-quarter of Utah legislators first took office through midterm appointments made by party insiders.
This project invites the people of Senate District 11 to participate in a transparent, open selection process that gives every voter a voice and models a fairer, more accountable form of politics.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS
How This Process Will Work
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Eligible Utahns in District 11 need to submit a Declaration of Intent by November 11, 2025, and complete an application packet by November 14, 2025.
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Applications are reviewed for eligibility and Forward Party values. If more than five applicants qualify, a transparent pre-selection process narrows the field.
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Finalists’ ideas will compete on an equal playing field through the publication of their full candidate application packets and a single public online debate. Big spending is prohibited.
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District 11 voters will securely cast their ballots online using a modern voting method that lets them choose multiple candidates they support.
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Every stage will be recorded and open to media review.
Why Try Something New
This initiative is designed to show what politics might look if a campaign was a competition of ideas, and if the outcome wasn’t pre-determined by party bosses gaming the rules to their advantage.
By running a fully transparent, privately funded preference poll, the Forward Party also aims to demonstrate the potential for secure, technology-enabled voting and more accountable systems for choosing representatives in state-run elections.
Senate District 11 Map
A complicated shape covering parts of Tooele, Salt Lake, and Utah counties, including Tooele, Eagle Mountain, tracts of West Valley City, West Jordan, Herriman, Magna, and a large portion of the West Desert.
Press & Media coverage
For interview requests, press materials, or statements, contact:
press@utahforwardparty.org
“Utah’s Forward Party Wagers 60,000 Voters Can Choose Better Than 150 Party Insiders” — Utah Political Watch, Oct. 23 2025.
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“Sen. Daniel Thatcher Announces Resignation; 2,400-Member Utah Forward Party to Pick His Replacement” — Utah Political Watch, Oct. 21 2025.
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“Who Gets to Replace a Party-Switcher? Utah’s About to Find Out” — Utah Political Watch, Oct. 22 2025.
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“Sen. Daniel Thatcher Resigns from Utah Legislature” — Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 22 2025.
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“Utah State Senator Dan Thatcher Resigns, Forward Party Responds” — ABC4 News, Oct. 22 2025.
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“Forward Party State Senator Announces Resignation, Promising ‘Honest Replacement Process’” — KUTV News, Oct. 22 2025.
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“Utah’s Only Third-Party Member in Legislature to Resign Before Next Session” — KSL.com, Oct. 22 2025.
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“Senator Thatcher Resigning Before January’s Legislative Session” — KSL Podcasts / Utah’s Noon News, Oct. 22 2025.
Listen →
“Forward Party of Utah: Dan Thatcher Intends to Resign” — Utah News Dispatch, Oct. 22 2025.
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“Utah Forward Party Takes a Novel Approach to Replace Retiring Sen. Daniel Thatcher” — KUER Public Radio, Oct. 23 2025.
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Video: “Utah Forward Party Explains Sen. Thatcher’s Retirement and Open Selection Plan” — @elevate_utah via TikTok, Oct. 2025.
Watch Video →
“With a Lawmaker Leaving, Utah’s Forward Party Plans a New Way to Replace Him” — FOX 13 Now, Oct. 22 2025.
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stay informed
Add your email here if want updates about when and how the District 11 voting process will open. Adding your email here will not add you to Forward Utah’s general communication channels.
Learn more about the Forward party
National Site
Utah Site