PARK CITY, Utah — A new mayor has emerged victorious in one of the closest electoral races in Park City’s municipal history, with the final margin standing at just seven votes.
Narrow Victory Triggers Potential Recount
Ryan Dickey, a current member of the Park City Council, secured the mayoral position with 1,706 votes compared to challenger Jack Rubin’s 1,699 votes. The results were officially certified during Tuesday evening’s council meeting, though the razor-thin margin means the outcome could still face scrutiny.
Under Utah municipal election law, any race decided by nine votes or fewer qualifies for a recount upon request. Dickey’s seven-vote advantage places this contest squarely within that threshold, leaving the decision in Rubin’s hands.
Recount Deadline Looms
Park City Recorder Michelle Kellogg confirmed that Rubin has until Friday at 5 p.m. to formally request a recount. Should he exercise this option, the Summit County Clerk’s Office would need to complete the recount within seven days—a challenging timeline given the approaching Thanksgiving holiday.
The recount process would be extensive, requiring approximately 30 hours of work. Election officials would need to reprocess all ballots through counting machines after conducting pre-recount accuracy tests. Following the machine count, staff must hand-audit a percentage of ballots to verify the electronic tabulation matches manual counts.
Election Officials Navigate Rare Scenario
Kellogg emphasized that such close races rarely occur in Park City, adding complexity to an already demanding process. The timing presents additional challenges, with the holiday week potentially complicating staffing and logistics.
“We always have that level of ‘We’ve got to get this right,’ because we have to maintain the confidence of our constituents and the voters,” Kellogg explained, acknowledging the inherent pressure in ensuring electoral accuracy.
Candidates Respond to Outcome
Both candidates attended Tuesday’s council meeting where results were finalized. Rubin declined to comment on whether he would pursue a recount, while Dickey expressed confidence in the vote count’s accuracy while respecting his opponent’s right to request verification.
In a statement following the certification, Dickey thanked his supporters and reflected on the campaign experience. He described the election as a testament to Park City’s strong community spirit and expressed enthusiasm about beginning work as the city’s next mayor.
The mayor-elect faces significant responsibilities ahead, including addressing housing affordability challenges, managing tourism impacts, and guiding the mountain resort town through continued growth pressures.
What Happens Next
As of Wednesday morning, no recount request had been filed. The community now waits to see whether Rubin will challenge the results before Friday’s deadline. If no request materializes, Dickey’s victory will stand, and he will prepare to assume office in the coming weeks.
For Park City residents, the close election underscores how every vote carries weight in local democracy. Regardless of the final outcome, both campaigns demonstrated the community’s deep engagement in shaping its municipal leadership.
