And with only 60 to 65 voters, the town lodged a 97 percent turnout.

"I've lived here on and off most my life and cannot remember ever needing one," said Mayor Claren Heaton, whose office is not on the ballot.

But two Town Council seats are up for election, and six people filed for the two open seats - no incumbent is running - to serve in the bucolic southern Utah town of 140 residents. It incorporated in 1935.

Advancing are Douglas Heaton with 20 votes, Dustin Cox with 19, Terry Nelson with 22 and Richard Swapp with 16.

Claren Heaton said that growth issues, including a proposed subdivision and surface coal mine, are probably what generated the political interest among residents.

"There's a lot going on," said the mayor. "People want to have some control of what happens. I'm surprised that many wanted to get involved."

It took 45 minutes for officials to count the votes and announce winners after the polls closed at 8 p.m.

mhavnes@sltrib.com