Shall MATTHEW L. BELL be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fifth 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,
Matthew L. Bell
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Fifth District Court judge since 2017, appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert. He was an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Utah and a Trial Attorney in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 2 records
Was confirmed 26-2 by the Utah Senate on September 16, 2026 as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court. Governor Spencer Cox had appointed him in August 2026 to replace a departing justice.
September 16, 2026
Source: ksl.com
Was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert on September 20, 2017 to a newly created seat on the Fifth District Court. He was then an assistant U.S. attorney in St. George.
September 20, 2017
Source: stgeorgeutah.com
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission finding that he meets or exceeds its standards, in its report for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 100% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. Four of five courtroom observers said they would expect fair treatment.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission recommending that voters retain him in 2020. He passed all 8 standards, and 98% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. All courtroom observers said they would expect fair treatment in his court.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission finding that he meets or exceeds its standards, in its report for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 100% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. Four of five courtroom observers said they would expect fair treatment.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission recommending that voters retain him in 2020. He passed all 8 standards, and 98% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. All courtroom observers said they would expect fair treatment in his court.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Sources: vote.utah.gov2