A Santaquin mayoral candidate is in search of a judge to get him back on the ballot.

City Recorder Susan Farnsworth said Filip Askerlund filed his financial disclosure too early and then failed to file within the required dates, therefore disqualifying him as a candidate. Askerlund is challenging incumbent mayor James DeGraffenried.

Askerlund is claiming he got the wrong dates for the filing deadline and was surprised to find out he's been disqualified, said Mark Thomas with the Lieutenant Governor's Office. Askerlund had gone to the office -- which oversees elections -- to explore his options. Askerlund was unavailable for comment Wednesday on whether he planned to appeal the decision.

Farnsworth said incorrect dates were given at an initial candidate meeting, but that the city had sent out e-mails with the correct date that Askerlund "by his own admission" didn't open.

Thomas said Wednesday that a total of three candidates across the state missed the filing deadline, including Askerlund. The last -- and often successful -- resort is to track down a district court judge and file an appeal.

"We've seen it where candidates will get back on within a few hours," Thomas said. The faster the better when early voting comes into play. In Santaquin, signs have been posted that a vote for Askerlund may not count.

"Every minute could mean something for this guy," Thomas said.

Farnsworth said if a judge doesn't grant an appeal, Askerlund's name will be blacked out on Tuesday's ballots using a marker.

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