Constitution Party (United States)

Third-party and unaffiliated candidates appear in all four of Utah's congressional districts this fall, though none qualified for official debates and none poll in double digits. Figures like unaffiliated candidates Robert Moesinger and Steven Burt, Libertarian Taylor Wright, Independent American Carlton Bowen and Constitution Party nominee Cassie Easley say they aren't running to win but to challenge the two-party system, push reforms like ranked-choice voting and multi-member districts, and engage disaffected young voters.

Historically, Utah's third-party candidates have drawn minimal support, averaging roughly 2% since 1914, with Evan McMullin a notable exception. Rising unaffiliated voter registration suggests some appetite for alternatives, but it remains unclear whether that will translate into votes for non-major-party candidates this cycle.

Republicans currently hold a narrow 5-4 majority on the Salt Lake County Council, and the balance of power is on the ballot this November in Utah's most populous county. The marquee race pits Republican Kathleen Anderson, who ousted incumbent Laurie Stringham at the GOP convention, against Democrat Zach Robinson and Constitution Party candidate Gregory Beglarian for an at-large seat.

Three district races are also in play: Republican Mike Bird faces Democrat Luke Maynes for the open District 3 seat, Democrat Sara Cimmers faces Republican Traci Crockett in District 5, and Democratic incumbent Jiro Johnson defends District 1 against Libertarian Casey Poe. Democrats are emphasizing affordable housing, water conservation and child care funding, while Republicans are campaigning on public safety, lower taxes and small business support.

Down-ballot, incumbents District Attorney Sim Gill and Sheriff Rosie Rivera seek re-election against Republican challengers, and Republican Auditor Chris Harding faces Democrat Ali Cloward. Mail ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Democrat Terri Pickens and independent John Stegner, both candidates for Idaho governor, used a Boise candidate forum to outline plans to reverse several policies of Republican Gov. Brad Little ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Little did not attend the League of Women Voters-sponsored event, despite organizers leaving an empty chair for him.

Pickens said she would prioritize a budget restoring funding for mental health services, Medicaid expansion, and public education following recent legislative cuts. Stegner, a retired Idaho Supreme Court justice, said he would move to repeal the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit, a school-voucher law Little signed in 2025, calling it unconstitutional.

The two candidates largely agreed on major issues, both backing Proposition 1 to restore abortion rights in Idaho and opposing two legislature-backed constitutional amendments: one restricting ballot initiatives on marijuana legalization and another making English Idaho's official language. Other candidates in the race include Libertarian Paul Sand, Constitution Party candidate Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson), and write-in candidate Jacob Burnett.

Jackson, Michigan has become the first city in the state to ban cryptocurrency kiosks, a move highlighted by AARP Michigan as part of a broader push to curb kiosk-related fraud that disproportionately affects older residents. AARP Michigan state director Paula D. Cunningham praised the move, saying local communities don't need to wait for state or federal action to address scams tied to crypto ATMs.

The ban was one of several items in a weekly roundup of Jackson-area news, which also included the closure of a local Guatemalan and Mexican restaurant after six years in business, an under-investigation fatal camper fire, local election matchups for a congressional seat and judicial race, and various county ballot measures. The crypto kiosk ban stands out as a local regulatory precedent that other Michigan municipalities concerned about elder fraud tied to cryptocurrency ATMs may look to replicate.