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Utah House of Representatives District 20

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Utah House of Representatives District 20
Incumbent
Assumed office: January 1, 2019

Utah House of Representatives District 20 is represented by Melissa Ballard (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Utah state representatives represented an average of 43,670 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 36,944 residents.

About the office

Members of the Utah House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Utah legislators assume office the first day in January.[1][2]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Utah House of Representatives, a candidate must be:[3]

  • A U.S. citizen,
  • At least 25 years old,
  • A three-year resident of Utah,
  • A resident for 6 months of the relevant house district, and
  • A qualified voter.

In addition, eligible candidates cannot:[3]

  • Have been convicted of certain crimes, or
  • Hold a public office of profit or trust.


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[4]
SalaryPer diem
$293.55/legislative dayPer diem is reimbursed to state legislators when they submit receipts or turn in expense reports.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Utah State Legislature, the governor is responsible for selecting a replacement. A liaison for the political party that last held the seat must recommend a successor to the governor. A person who is selected to fill a vacant state House seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term. Interim appointees to state Senate seats serve until the next regular general election.[5]

If the vacancy happens after the nominating deadline in an election year, but before August 31, a new candidate must file a declaration of candidacy and certificate of nomination in order to be on the ballot. Nominating papers must be filed within 21 days after the vacancy occurs.[6]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Utah Const. Art. 6, Sec. 13 and Utah Code §20A-1-503


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in Utah after the 2020 census

Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed new state legislative districts for both chambers into law on November 16, 2021. After Cox called a special session to begin on November 9, 2021, the Utah legislature voted to approve the House and Senate district maps on November 10, 2021. The House districts proposal passed the House in a 60-12 vote and cleared the Senate in a 25-3 vote. The House voted 58-13 to approve the Senate map and the Senate approved the proposal in a 26-2 vote. [7][8] These maps took effect for Utah's 2022 legislative elections.

Both proposals differed from those presented to the legislative committee by Utah's Independent Redistricting Commission on November 1, 2021.[9] The commission presented 12 maps (three each for House, Senate, congressional, and school board districts) to the Legislative Redistricting Committee, one of which was submitted by a citizen.[10]

How does redistricting in Utah work? In Utah, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are ultimately enacted by the state legislature. An advisory commission submits proposed maps to the legislature for its approval. This commission comprises the following seven members:[11]

  • One appointed by the governor, to serve as the chair of the commission;
  • One appointed by the president of the Utah Senate;
  • One appointed by the speaker of the Utah House of Representatives;
  • One appointed by the leader of the largest minority political party in the Utah Senate;
  • One appointed by the leader of the largest minority political party in the Utah House of Representatives;
  • One appointed jointly by the leadership of the majority political party in the Utah Senate, president of the Utah Senate, and the leadership of the same political party in the Utah House of Representatives; and
  • One appointed jointly by the leadership of the largest minority political party in the Utah Senate, and the leadership of the same political party in the Utah House of Representatives, including the speaker of the House, if the speaker is a member of the same political party.

The commission is required to select between one and three plans, with the affirmative votes of at least five members, to submit to the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court. The chief justice is responsible for determining if the commission's plans meet redistricting standards. The commission then forwards the plans to the state legislature, which may decide whether to accept, amend, or reject the plans.

Utah House of Representatives District 20
until December 31, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Utah House of Representatives District 20
starting January 1, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Incumbent Melissa Ballard defeated Lew Jeppson in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard (R)
 
66.1
 
11,381
Lew Jeppson (D)
 
33.9
 
5,848

Total votes: 17,229
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Lew Jeppson advanced from the Democratic primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Ballard advanced from the Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Lew Jeppson advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on April 2, 2024.

Candidate
Lew Jeppson (D)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican convention

Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Incumbent Melissa Ballard advanced from the Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on April 13, 2024.

Candidate
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard (R)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2022

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Incumbent Melissa Ballard defeated Phil Graves and Daniel Cottam in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard (R)
 
60.8
 
8,126
Phil Graves (D)
 
33.4
 
4,468
Image of Daniel Cottam
Daniel Cottam (L)
 
5.7
 
764

Total votes: 13,358
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Phil Graves advanced from the Democratic primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Incumbent Melissa Ballard defeated Ronald Mortensen in the Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on June 28, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard
 
65.1
 
3,733
Ronald Mortensen
 
34.9
 
1,999

Total votes: 5,732
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Daniel Cottam advanced from the Libertarian primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Phil Graves advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on March 30, 2022.

Candidate
Phil Graves (D)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Incumbent Melissa Ballard and Ronald Mortensen advanced from the Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on March 26, 2022.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Daniel Cottam advanced from the Libertarian convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on April 9, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Daniel Cottam
Daniel Cottam (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Incumbent Melissa Ballard defeated Phil Graves in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard (R)
 
67.3
 
13,828
Phil Graves (D)
 
32.7
 
6,717

Total votes: 20,545
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Phil Graves advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on April 25, 2020.

Candidate
Phil Graves (D)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Melissa Ballard defeated Ryan Jones in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard (R)
 
65.3
 
10,111
Ryan Jones (D)
 
34.7
 
5,379

Total votes: 15,490
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20

Melissa Ballard defeated Matt Jensen and Glen Jenkins in the Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 20 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melissa Ballard
Melissa Ballard
 
41.3
 
2,207
Matt Jensen
 
38.0
 
2,031
Image of Glen Jenkins
Glen Jenkins
 
20.7
 
1,106

Total votes: 5,344
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Utah House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 17, 2016.

Incumbent Becky Edwards defeated Jon Marsh in the Utah House of Representatives District 20 general election.[12]

Utah House of Representatives, District 20 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Becky Edwards Incumbent 72.29% 12,223
     Democratic Jon Marsh 27.71% 4,686
Total Votes 16,909
Source: Utah Secretary of State


Jon Marsh ran unopposed in the Utah House of Representatives District 20 Democratic primary.[13][14]

Utah House of Representatives District 20, Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Jon Marsh  (unopposed)


Incumbent Becky Edwards defeated Glen Jenkins in the Utah House of Representatives District 20 Republican primary.[13][14]

Utah House of Representatives District 20, Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Becky Edwards Incumbent 52.05% 2,487
     Republican Glen Jenkins 47.95% 2,291
Total Votes 4,778


2014

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Utah House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 20, 2014. Donna Taylor was unopposed in the Democratic convention. Incumbent Becky Edwards was unopposed in the Republican convention. Robert G Moultrie defeated Brady Tracy in the Constitution convention. Edwards defeated Taylor and Moultrie in the general election. Tracy withdrew from the Republican convention for the Constitution party.[15]

Utah House of Representatives District 20, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBecky Edwards Incumbent 71% 5,257
     Democratic Donna Taylor 22.4% 1,663
     Constitution Robert G Moultrie 6.6% 488
Total Votes 7,408

2012

See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Utah House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 26, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Republican incumbent Becky Edwards defeated Democrat Daniel Donahue in the general election. Edwards defeated Aaron Nelson in the Republican convention. Donahue was unopposed in the Democratic primary election.[16][17]

Utah House of Representatives, District 20, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBecky Edwards Incumbent 75.8% 10,807
     Democratic Daniel Donahue 24.2% 3,443
Total Votes 14,250

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Utah House of Representatives District 20 raised a total of $545,427. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $12,684 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Utah House of Representatives District 20
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $32,851 2 $16,426
2022 $73,567 4 $18,392
2020 $46,502 2 $23,251
2018 $65,870 4 $16,467
2016 $47,817 4 $11,954
2014 $12,880 4 $3,220
2012 $18,330 2 $9,165
2010 $67,305 5 $13,461
2008 $70,094 5 $14,019
2006 $52,260 3 $17,420
2004 $16,442 2 $8,221
2002 $21,028 3 $7,009
2000 $20,482 3 $6,827
Total $545,427 43 $12,684



Other election results in district

The map below highlight's this state legislative district and provides election results from the most recent election. Using the dropdown on the left, you can choose to view results for the most recent presidential election or U.S. House district election instead. This will show you the votes cast in this district for that election. The dropdown on the right will let you see either the map colored by the percentage of votes the winning candidate received or let you know the number and type of votes cast by size and shade of the circle in each county.

Ballotpedia Embed

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 3," accessed February 17, 2021
  2. Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 4," accessed February 17, 2021
  3. 3.0 3.1 Vote.Utah.gov, "State of Utah 2024 Candidate Manual," accessed May 23, 2025 (page 4)
  4. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  5. Utah Legislature, "Utah Code - Statutes 20A-1-503 (3) (a)-(b)," accessed February 17, 2021
  6. Utah Legislature, "Utah Code - Statutes 20A-1-503 (3) (a)-(b)," accessed February 17, 2021
  7. Utah State Legislature, "S.B. 2006 Utah State Senate Boundaries and Election Designation," accessed November 17, 2021
  8. Utah State Legislature, "H.B. 2005 Utah State House Boundaries Designation," accessed November 17, 2021
  9. KSL, "Utah redistricting map battles underscore independent-panel hurdles across the US," November 13, 2021
  10. Utah Public Radio, "Utah Independent Redistricting Commission proposes 12 maps to Utah lawmakers," November 2, 2021
  11. All About Redistricting, "Utah," accessed May 4, 2015
  12. Utah Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed November 29, 2016
  13. 13.0 13.1 Utah.gov, "2016 Candidate Filings," accessed March 23, 2016
  14. 14.0 14.1 Utah.gov, "2016 Primary Election Results," accessed August 20, 2016
  15. Utah Lieutenant Governor, "2014 Candidate Filings," accessed March 22, 2014
  16. Utah Lieutenant Governor Elections, 2012 Candidate Filings, accessed October 16, 2013
  17. Utah Lieutenant Governor Elections, Election Results, accessed October 16, 2013


Current members of the Utah House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Mike Schultz
Majority Leader:Casey Snider
Minority Leader:Angela Romero
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
Katy Hall (R)
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
Ken Ivory (R)
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
Rex Shipp (R)
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
Republican Party (61)
Democratic Party (14)