Making Waves Newsletter July 2025
- SLCounty Dems
- Aug 11
- 6 min read
Hi friend
The Municipal primary elections for city councilmembers, mayors, and improvement districts might not make national news, but they have the most direct impact on your daily life. City councils and mayors decide how public money is spent, what kind of housing gets approved, how parks are maintained, and how police and fire departments operate. They influence everything from traffic and zoning to local business development and neighborhood safety. If you care about the future of your city, this is your chance to shape it.
July was hot and as we move into the dog days of summer, now is your chance to start getting involved in local races. Read on about upcoming events and ways you can make your voice heard.
Municipal Elections: Your Ballot = Your Voice
WWe an abundance of passionate candidates running to serve their communities. Now it’s our turn to meet their energy with action.
Already received your ballot? Don’t wait. Return it early.
Be safe and use an official drop box: This is the most secure and reliable way to make sure your vote is counted. Find your nearest ballot drop box here: https://slco.org/clerk/elections/vote-by-mail/drop-box-locations/
NEW this year: If you return your ballot by mail, it must be received (not just postmarked) by 8 PM on Election Day, August 12 to be counted. To avoid any risk or delay, we strongly encourage using a drop box.
What does supporting local candidates look like?
These are your neighbors running for office. Here’s how to get involved:
Ask us who we’re backing—we’re happy to share
Read their platforms, check social media, and reach out
If you like what you hear, offer to help!
Support can mean:
Volunteering – knock doors, make calls, host an event
Donating – every dollar makes a difference
Spreading the word – talk to your neighbors, post online
Let’s make sure every vote counts—and every candidate who shares our values gets the support they need.
Reminder: Cities using Ranked Choice Voting have a later filing window from August 12–19 include Midvale, Millcreek, Salt Lake City, and South Salt Lake.
From Drop Box to Count: Your Ballot’s Journey
Join us on Monday, August 11 at 3pm for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office and see the election process in action. You’ll get an inside look at how ballots are received, how signatures are verified, and how the counting process works under strict security and bipartisan oversight. This is a rare chance to see firsthand how election integrity is upheld in Salt Lake County. Space is limited, so RSVP today and experience democracy at work.
New to local politics? Start here.
If you've been watching from the sidelines and wondering how to get involved, now’s the perfect time to jump in. Whether you're curious about volunteering, interested in organizing your community, or just want to understand how the Salt Lake County Democratic Party works, we’re here to help.
Join us this August for Bootcamp 101, a welcoming and informative introduction to who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved. We’ll walk you through the basics, answer your questions, and help you find a role that fits your interests and energy.
Salt Lake County Weekly Call to Action – Featuring Lannie Chapman on 8/4
Our Monday calls have been really successful and based on your feedback, we have a new name but the same great energy. Join us for the Salt Lake County Weekly Call to Action, a fast-paced 30-minute Zoom call every Monday at 5:30 PM. These briefings are your go-to spot for campaign updates, upcoming events, and simple ways to get involved.
We’re also looking for help.
If you're a video editor or know someone who is, we’d love support in creating short clips from our weekly calls. Email slcounty@slcountydems.com if you're able to help.
Add this to your weekly routine. Stay informed, get connected, and take action with us. RSVP on Mobilize to get the Zoom link.
Union Voices Belong at the Table
The Salt Lake County Democratic Party is proud to support union members stepping up to lead in their communities. We’ve launched a Filing Fee Reimbursement Program to help cover the cost of running for office which will be available this year and next.
If you’re a union member thinking about running, or you know someone who should, we want to hear from you. We’re also offering resources and training for first-time candidates, including a group prep session to walk through the process and answer questions.
Cities using Ranked Choice Voting, including Midvale, Millcreek, Salt Lake City, and South Salt Lake, have a later candidate filing window: August 12 to August 19.
Local races need working voices. Let’s help union members take the lead. Email slcounty@slcountydems.com to apply or learn more.
July Recap: Community, Candidates, and Momentum
July was packed with action across Salt Lake County. From town halls to trainings to summer celebrations, we showed up, organized, and kept the momentum building.
We supported dozens of candidate events, fundraisers, and canvassing efforts throughout the county. That included Candidate Town Halls in South Salt Lake, Cottonwood Heights, Draper, and Kearns, giving voters the chance to hear directly from local leaders stepping up to serve.
We also participated in a powerful Utah Democratic Party Town Hall featuring California Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, who brought a national perspective on what’s at stake and how local action makes a difference.
In addition to campaign work, we invested in training and leadership development. We held VoteBuilder and strategy sessions for House District officers, candidates, and Caucus leaders to help teams sharpen their skills and get organized. We also sponsored Jackson Lewis to attend the Young Democrats of America National Convention in Philadelphia, representing Utah on the national stage.
Community events were in full swing this month with the Butlerville Days Parade, an HD33 Capitol Tour, the HD35 and HD45 BBQs, and a lively Happy Hour that brought Democrats together across the county.
Thanks to everyone who showed up, pitched in, and helped move us forward. We are heading into August with stronger candidates, trained volunteers, and growing momentum. Let’s keep it going.
We also joined some of our 2025 municipal candidates in kicking off their campaigns! Below is HD 33 with Holladay Mayor candidate Paul Fotheringham and HD 41 with Cottonwood Heights candidate Ellen Birrell.
(L to R: HD 33 team tours the capitol with Rep. Doug Owens, YDU Members at the national conference, HD21 team meeting at Mestizo Coffeehouse, Sen. Riebe and Rep. Bennion with volunteers at the Butlerville Days Parade)
(L to R: HD 33 team tours the capitol with Rep. Doug Owens, YDU Members at the national conference, HD21 team meeting at Mestizo Coffeehouse, Sen. Riebe and Rep. Bennion with volunteers at the Butlerville Days Parade)
Special Announcement: Welcome Baby Glenn!
We’re thrilled to share that our Executive Director Nick Glenn and his wife Carol have welcomed a beautiful new baby, Pietro James Glenn on July 21st!
Coming in at 6 lb. 8 oz, mom and baby are doing great! Congratulations to the new parents! We’re sending all our love and well wishes to the Glenn family as they settle into this exciting new chapter.
While Nick is on parental leave, we’re excited to welcome Ben Peck as our Interim Executive Director.
Ben brings experience, heart, and a deep commitment to our mission. He’s already jumped in to keep things moving smoothly, and we’re grateful for his leadership and support during this time.
Want to help us celebrate? Donate in honor of Baby Glenn and support the next generation of Democrats
Or, check out the Amazon Wishlist if you’d like to send a little something directly to the Glenn family.
Upcoming Events
July Community Spotlight: Communidades Unidas
Comunidades Unidas is a Latina/o-led nonprofit based in West Valley City, working to build power and promote dignity for Utah’s immigrant communities. Through the Salt Lake County Immigrant People’s Agenda, CU brings people together to advocate for tenant rights, workers’ protections, healthcare access, and immigration justice.
How to get involved:
Join an issue-based committee or attend a campaign meeting
Volunteer to lead Know Your Rights trainings
Support CU’s youth leadership program, Our Voices
Donate or become a monthly Dream Builder donor
Follow @comunidadesunidas for events and action alerts
Every action helps create a more inclusive, just, and empowered Utah.
In Closing, Drop Off Your Primary Ballot (if you have one)
We are just 12 days away from the primary election, and every vote will count. Local turnout is often low, which means your voice carries even more weight. Ballots are out now, so take a few minutes to learn about your candidates, make your plan to vote, and help spread the word. The future of your neighborhood is being decided right now, and your participation matters more than ever.
Chair Velazquez
