With ballots out, judges' review group sees surge in interest

Utah’s Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission saw what it called an “unprecedented surge” in traffic to its website now that ballots have arrived in Utah voters’ mailboxes.

The commission reported a 58% increase in traffic to its website, judges.utah.gov, compared to the same period last election — the largest spike it has seen, according to a statement released Monday. The first two days after ballots were mailed out, the website had 30,515 visits versus 19,276 visits for the same two days in 2022.

As they cast their ballots, Utahns are asked to weigh in on retaining judges who have been appointed to courts in the state. The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, established by the Legislature in 2008, is a source for Utahns who want to inform themselves about how judges in their area have been doing.

“As we approach the elections, it’s clear that Utah voters are more committed than ever to understanding the impact of their judicial choices,” said Mary-Margaret Pingree, the commission’s executive director. “This remarkable increase in our website traffic demonstrates a growing recognition of the importance of an informed electorate in maintaining a fair and effective judicial system.”



https://utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/with-ballots-out-judges-review-group-sees-surge-in-interest/