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Different Ballot Name

Utah Code 20A-6-109 only allows a candidate to use their legal first name, followed by their legal last name on the ballot.

If you wish to use a name on the ballot other than your First Name (or a common derivative of it) or your First Name (or a common derivative of it) followed by your Middle Initial, you must complete and submit the Ballot Name Affidavit (linked below) by the applicable deadline:

  • For candidates filing with a Qualified Political Party: January 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  • For candidates filing with a Registered Political Party: April 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  • For candidates filing without a party (unaffiliated): June 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Refer to the guide below for a list of ballot name types you can request to have on the ballot.

Once you have completed the ballot name affidavit, you can submit it the following ways:

  • Upload it while completing your Declaration of Candidacy online
  • Turn it in to our office before the end of the filing period, by email or in-person

Links

Ballot Name Affidavit Guide

All different name derivatives must include your legal last name.

Check the guides below for the variations of different names you can request for your different ballot name.

Any name variations containing a nickname or your full middle name (or a common derivative of it) require a signed ballot affidavit with signatures from 5 acquaintances. Refer to the guide to know what category your desired ballot name request may fall under.

For the below examples, the full legal name is: Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli

The following name variations require a completed ballot name affidavit with 5 signatures in order for that name to be requested for use on the ballot.

  • A nickname only
    • Example:
      • "The Fonz" Fonzarelli
      • Fonzy Fonzarelli
  • Your legal middle name or a common derivative of it
    • Example:
      • Herbert Fonzarelli OR Herbie Fonzarelli
  • Your legal first name or a common derivative followed by a nickname
    • Example:
      • Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli OR Arty "The Fonz" Fonzarelli
      • Arthur Fonzy Fonzarelli OR Arty Fonzy Fonzarelli
  • A nickname followed by your legal first name (or a common derivative of it)
    • Example:
      • "The Fonz" Arthur Fonzarelli OR "The Fonz" Arty Fonzarelli
  • A nickname followed by your legal middle name (or a common derivative of it)
    • Example:
      • "The Fonz" Herbert Fonzarelli OR "The Fonz" Herbie Fonzarelli
      • Fonzy Herbert Fonzarelli OR Fonzy Herbie Fonzarelli
  • Your legal middle name (or a common derivative of it) followed by a nickname
    • Example:
      • Herbert "The Fonz" Fonzarelli OR Herbie "The Fonz" Fonzarelli
      • Herbert Fonzy Fonzarelli OR Herbie Fonzy Fonzarelli
  • Your first initial followed by my legal middle name (or a common derivative of it)
    • Example:
      • A. Herbert Fonzarelli OR A. Herbie Fonzarelli

The following name variations do not require the submission of a Ballot Name Affidavit and can be requested by indication on your Declaration of Candidacy.

  • A common derivative of your legal first name
    • e.g. Arty Fonzarelli
  • Your legal first name (or a common derivative of it) followed by your middle initial
    • e.g. Arthur H. Fonzarelli OR Arty H. Fonzarelli