Three candidates are on the Nov. 3 ballot for Utah County Commission Seat A

The Lehi Free Press reported that Jeanne Marie Bowen (Democrat), Michelle Kaufusi (Republican) and Jacob Oaks (Independent) are the candidates for Utah County Commission Seat A on the Nov. 3 ballot. The Free Press and the American Fork Citizen sent each candidate the same questionnaire with the same character limits, and the answers were published as submitted. ^[1]

Bowen said she has worked for Utah County for 16 years and wants to focus on how growth affects water, housing and traffic. She cited bookkeeping experience and the county budget as the commission's main job. She said she was born and raised in Provo. ^[1]

Kaufusi, who served two terms as mayor of Provo, listed her priorities as limited government, local control, support for law enforcement, the economy, natural resources and planned growth. She cited experience running city departments, managing investments and balancing budgets. ^[1]

Oaks, who directs an organization called Liberty United, said he wants stricter criteria for data center approval, removal of Flock cameras and an end to what he called reckless spending. He described his background as leadership, business and community organizing. ^[1]

Utah County mailed ballots to every active registered voter on Oct. 13, and completed ballots must reach the county elections office by 8 p.m. Nov. 3, as a postmark no longer counts. The county has 28 drop boxes open around the clock. Early in-person voting runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26-30 and Nov. 2 at the Health and Justice Building in Provo, and vote centers are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 23, with provisional voting available at vote centers on Election Day. More information is at vote.utahcounty.gov or 801-851-8683. ^[1] The county elections office confirms the drop boxes and early-voting dates and says it can no longer rely on a postmark to decide whether a ballot is timely. ^[2][3]