Republicans in Wasatch and Summit counties are scheduling their conventions for Tuesday night so that politicians from state and federal races can travel to one first, then the other.

Conventions are open to the public, but only delegates already chosen by local parties will be able to vote. There is a hotly contested race for Wasatch County Council, with Kim Facer, Mary Williams and Luke Searle vying for a seat. If a candidate obtains 60% of the votes, he will win the nomination. Otherwise, the race will go to a primary election in June.

The first convention of the night is in Summit County. It is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at South Summit Middle School, 355 East 300 South, Kamas.

Summit County Republican Chair Karen Ballash says there will be a one and a half hour intake session for candidates. Ballash said she expects many top Republicans and candidates to attend, including U.S. Senator Mike Lee, U.S. Representative John Curtis, Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson, local senators and Reps. and challengers in many races.

Some will then move to Wasatch County, which holds its convention at 7 p.m. at the Wasatch County Senior Center, 465 East 1200 South, Heber City.

Wasatch County Republican Vice President Erik Rowland advised delegates to arrive an hour early, at 6 p.m. He said many of the same candidates mentioned by Ballash had also said they would attend the convention in Heber.

Rowland said he expected around 200 people to come and encouraged anyone interested to do so.

“That’s really politics, it’s at the local level. This is where people can really get involved. I mean people say all the time, ‘Hey, what can I do? I want to be involved. Well, that’s literally it. This is how you can get involved,” he said. “Whether you’re with the Republican Party, whether you’re with the Democratic Party, it doesn’t matter. These are designed for you to share your voice and talk with other people, get to know the candidates. It’s as popular as it gets.

Many races that span more than one county, including those for the Utah State School Board, Senate and House, could be decided at the state convention on April 23. .