Utah voters can check judges' performance ratings before the Nov. 3 retention vote

Utah's ballot this year includes a long list of judges up for retention, and voters can look up each judge's performance evaluation online before deciding whether to keep them on the bench, FOX 13 reported. Election Day is Nov. 3. ^[1]

The state's Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission evaluates judges on their conduct and the qualities of a good judge, not on the outcomes of individual cases, Executive Director Mary-Margaret Pingree told FOX 13. Attorneys, court employees and volunteer observers provide the input. Voters can search by county at Judges.utah.gov, where each judge's page shows summary information and more detailed data by category. ^[1] The state's voter information site says the same, adds that judges are graded on legal ability, procedural fairness, integrity and temperament, and administrative skills, and points voters to judges.utah.gov. ^[2]

Pingree said most judges meet the minimum performance standards, though scores vary above that level. As an example, she said one judge might average 4.1 out of 5 on a given quality while another averages 4.8. The commission does not tell voters how to vote, and she said the aim is to give them information that helps them feel confident in their choices. ^[1]

FOX 13 reported that voters rarely see a judge with a negative recommendation on the ballot, because judges who receive poor ratings often decide not to run. The report also noted that the Legislature has objected to some court outcomes, including overturned voting maps and a delay in implementing anti-abortion laws, and responded by adding seats to the Utah Supreme Court and creating a new court for certain cases. ^[1]