SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — With the election fast approaching, ballots will begin to be sent out on October 15 for mail-in voting. Along with the presidential election and many of the issues on the ballot, there are also judges on the ballot, but not in the fashion you may expect.
Judges get appointed to the bench in Utah and serve for three years before becoming subject to a “retention election.” It is a yes/no vote as to whether the judge stays on the bench. Some judges, like those appointed to the Supreme Court, face these elections at different times .
How has Utah’s voter turnout been since the year 2000?
Contrary to partisan elections, these elections do not have campaigns. Also contrary to partisan elections, a group of 13 people selected by the Governor, Supreme Court, Senate, House of Representatives, and Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice provides recommendations to voters based on judicial performance.
The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission is the group, founded in 2008 to help voters get to know their judges. Their job is to provide information and feedback as well as to promote public accountability.