Youth Council elections set for May 13
Eagle Mountain City Youth Council elections are scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, offering students across the community a chance to engage in local government and make their voices heard.
This year’s election may also mark a turning point in how the Youth Council operates going forward.
The Eagle Mountain City Youth Council (established under city code EMCC 2.45) was created to give local youth—residents of Eagle Mountain, Fairfield, and Cedar Fort—a hands-on opportunity to learn about the representative form of government and to advise City leaders on issues that matter to young people in the community.
“Every year, it’s inspiring to see how seriously the students take this process,” says City Recorder Gina Olsen.
Each year, the Youth Council is composed of one Youth Mayor and five Councilmembers. All members must reside in the Cedar Valley area. Youth Mayor candidates must be in 10th grade and live in Eagle Mountain. Council candidates must be in at least 8th grade and not yet graduated from high school.
Declarations of interest to run are due May 1 and must be submitted to the Eagle Mountain City Recorder’s Office. Polls will be open at Cedar Valley High School, Westlake High School, and Frontier Middle School during school hours on Election Day.
All local junior high and high school students in 9th grade and above who live in Cedar Valley are eligible to vote. The eligible student receiving the most votes will serve as Youth Mayor. The new Council will take office on July 1, with an official oath of office ceremony scheduled during the City Council meeting on June 17.
While the election remains in place for this year, a recent Youth Council meeting brought forward the possibility of change. Youth Councilmembers voted to propose a code amendment that would eliminate the election requirement for Youth Council membership.
The move aims to align Eagle Mountain with other Utah communities that select Youth Council members through an appointment process rather than a vote.
“If the proposed amendment moves forward, this could be the last year we hold elections for the Youth Council,” Olsen explained. “That makes this year’s election both important and historic.”
If adopted, the change would allow all qualified students who express interest to participate in the Youth Council, not just those who receive the most votes.
Historically, additional students beyond the six elected members have joined the Council to serve in supporting roles, though capacity is still limited.
The proposed amendment is expected to go before the City Council for review this summer, with the incoming Youth Council members likely involved in finalizing the process. If approved, this year could be the final time Youth Council elections are held.
To help oversee this transitional year, Jessi Call is expected to be appointed as an additional Youth Council advisor at the May City Council meeting. She will assist current advisors Angeline and Nathan Washburn, who will be unavailable during the upcoming election period.
More information about the Youth Council and election process will be available on the City’s website, where candidate bios and photos may also be featured ahead of Election Day.