Shall THOMAS LOW be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District?
What does this office do?
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Housing Affordability,
Thomas Low
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Fourth District Court judge since December 2009, appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert. He served six years as Wasatch County Attorney and earlier prosecuted felony cases as a deputy Wasatch County attorney.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 2 records
Was confirmed by the Utah Senate as a Fourth District Court judge on January 12, 2010, by a 28-0 vote. Gov. Gary Herbert had appointed him while he was the Wasatch County Attorney.
January 12, 2010
Source: le.utah.gov
Represented Wasatch County, as county attorney, in its lawsuit to keep four roads across the Okelberry family ranch near Wallsburg open to the public. On February 12, 2008, the Utah Supreme Court sent the case back to the trial court and set a new test for when a road becomes public through use.
February 12, 2008
Source: legacy.utcourts.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 3 favorable · 1 unfavorable
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 88% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. Court users and observers called him fair, patient and respectful.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 85% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Called Keith Vallejo, a former church bishop convicted of rape and sexual abuse, "an extraordinary, good man" while sentencing him to up to life in prison on April 12, 2017. One victim said the judge seemed to care more about Vallejo than the victims. Low had earlier let Vallejo stay free after the guilty verdict, then reversed that decision after criticism.
April 12, 2017Unfavorable on Impartiality
Source: foxnews.com
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2014 report. He met all minimum standards, and 90% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
May 15, 2014Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 88% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. Court users and observers called him fair, patient and respectful.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 85% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2014 report. He met all minimum standards, and 90% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
May 15, 2014Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Sources: vote.utah.gov2