As Utah voters, we have the right and the opportunity to vote on our state judges. At the end of your ballot in November, you will find a list of judges. With a simple “yes” or “no,” you decide whether those judges continue to serve in our communities. You will notice that none of these judges is listed as belonging to a political party because Utah has prioritized judicial appointments based solely on qualifications rather than political leanings. This method ensures our judges are selected through a rigorous assessment of their competence and character.

Central to this system is the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC), which conducts independent evaluations of judges standing for retention elections. JPEC’s evaluations occur twice within a judge’s term: a confidential midterm evaluation for self-improvement and a public retention evaluation, found at judges.utah.gov, which informs voters about a judge’s performance. These evaluations include detailed reports on judicial actions, courtroom observations, peer reviews, and feedback from attorneys, court staff, and jurors. These assessments ensure that only those meeting high standards continue to serve.

I visit courtrooms across the state as a volunteer courtroom observer and I am part of this evaluation process. I’ve received training that helps me evaluate judges on their ability to provide a fair process for all. I consider a judge’s willingness to listen to all sides before issuing a ruling and whether all parties are treated with respect. We all want and need judges who are impartial and fair and provide equal treatment to every individual, regardless of their background. As part of JPEC, I and my fellow courtroom observers, work hard to ensure that you have access to information that will help you vote with confidence.

Judges are accountable to us, the citizens of Utah. Through retention elections, Utahns have the power to retain or dismiss judges based on their performance on the job. You are an important part of this process and I encourage you to visit judges.utah.gov and let your voice be heard.

Lynell Gardner

Logan