Utah Voters to Weigh Third-Party Options on November 3

Over 30 candidates are running for federal and state offices in Utah without affiliation to the two major political parties.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Political Parties

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring three vertical desert stone pillars, symbolizing independent political choice. — More than 30 third-party candidates are challenging major party dominance in Utah's 2026 federal and state legislative elections this November. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe third-party candidates offer a viable alternative to the two-party system?

As Utah heads to the polls on November 3, 2026, more than 30 non-major party candidates are challenging the traditional two-party dominance. This shift follows years of growing interest in alternative platforms and independent representation.

Why it matters

Voters are increasingly supporting third-party and non-affiliated candidates due to widespread dissatisfaction with the rigid platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties. This movement seeks to provide an alternative to perceived lack of authenticity in mainstream politics.

Utah currently records 513,554 unaffiliated voters, a significant segment of the electorate that has grown as residents move away from traditional party registrations. Over 30 candidates are now competing for federal and state seats without Democratic or Republican backing.

The players

Emily Buss

She serves as the only third-party member of the Utah Legislature and is currently running for a full term in state Senate District 11.

Evan McMullin

He is a political figure who garnered nearly 43% of the vote during the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Utah as an independent.

Daniel Thatcher

A former state Senator who retired in 2025 after previously leaving the Republican Party to serve as a third-party member.

Brooks Benson

He is the Republican candidate challenging Emily Buss for the seat in state Senate District 11.

Michael Labrum

An individual who began the practice of eschewing official party labels during the 1990s.

The details

Emily Buss, the sole third-party member of the Utah Legislature, is seeking a full term in state Senate District 11, which includes parts of Magna, Tooele, and Eagle Mountain. She faces Republican opponent Brooks Benson in a contest where party leadership remains confident in a Republican victory.

1990s: Michael Labrum began eschewing party labels.
2022: Evan McMullin received nearly 43% of the vote in the U.S. Senate election.
2025: Daniel Thatcher retired from the state Senate after serving as a third-party member.
October 27, 2026: Polling regarding party approval ratings was published.
November 3, 2026: Election Day.

Political Context

The current uptick in non-major party candidacies follows the pattern established by the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Utah where an unaffiliated candidate received nearly 43% of the vote. Republican leadership remains dismissive of these challenges, maintaining that their party platform will secure victory in key legislative districts.

Voters across Utah will encounter a wider array of ballot choices on November 3, necessitating a deeper review of non-affiliated platforms beyond the standard party labels. This expansion of candidate options could influence the legislative agenda depending on the final vote tallies.

The takeaway

The rise of non-affiliated candidates reflects a broader trend of voters seeking alternatives to traditional party platforms. Residents should research individual candidate values rather than relying on party-line metrics when heading to the polls.