Summit County clerk candidates Suni Woolstenhulme and Malena Stevens disagreed over rejected Dakota Pacific referendum signatures during an Oct. 16 debate broadcast on KPCW.
Woolstenhulme, the Republican challenger, called former Clerk Eve Furse’s handling of the signatures a “deep betrayal to the community.” She argued that petition gatherers should have received more guidance about proper procedures.
Stevens, the Democratic incumbent appointed after Furse retired earlier this year, defended following the county attorney’s advice.
“Eve Furse did not legislate. She implemented the legislation,” Stevens said.
The dispute concerns a 2025 referendum effort seeking a countywide vote on Dakota Pacific’s development in western Kimball Junction, now called Altus Park City. Furse rejected signature packets she determined were improperly bound.
Third District Judge Richard Mrazik later ruled the legal challenge moot because Senate Bill 26 allowed the project to proceed regardless of the referendum, according to KPCW’s August 2025 reporting.
Mrazik did not decide whether Furse followed the law when rejecting the signatures. The development described in that report included 885 housing units.
The candidates also contrasted their experience. Woolstenhulme cited her business background and South Summit school board service. Stevens emphasized government experience, including work updating the county’s business licensing ordinance. Furse has endorsed Stevens, KPCW reported.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Summit County began mailing ballots Oct. 13, according to the Clerk’s Office election FAQ.
The deadline to register and receive a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Eligible residents who miss that deadline can register and vote provisionally in person during early voting or on Election Day.
Early voting runs Oct. 27–31. Returned ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Nov. 3; a timely postmark alone is not sufficient.
