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Shall CORAL SANCHEZ be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Third Judicial District?

Unofficial result: Won — Coral Sanchez (Nonpartisan)

Source: electionresults.utah.gov

Salt Lake County, Utah
Retention race

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,

Coral Sanchez

Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site

Third District Court judge since December 2022, appointed by Governor Spencer Cox. She was previously Division Chief in the Davis County Attorney's Office and a Unit Chief at the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.

Track record

Track record — General

General · 3 records
  • Refused to let the same death row inmates file another amended complaint to revive their challenge to Utah's execution methods. She found they had made no effort to get information about the execution rules for years.

    May 24, 2024

    Source: fox13now.com

  • Dismissed a lawsuit by five Utah death row inmates who argued the state's execution methods were cruel and unusual. She ruled the claims were filed too late and lacked legal support.

    December 22, 2023

    Source: ksl.com

  • Was confirmed by the Utah Senate, 28-0, as a judge of the Third District Court on December 29, 2022. Governor Spencer Cox had appointed her on December 12, 2022.

    December 29, 2022

    Source: le.utah.gov

Track record — Impartiality

Impartiality · 1 favorable
  • Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found she meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for her 2026 retention question. She passed all 8 minimum standards, and 91% of surveyed court users recommended keeping her. All four courtroom observers said they would expect to be treated fairly.

    October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality

    Source: judges.utah.gov

Track record — Legal Competence

Legal Competence · 1 favorable
  • Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found she meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for her 2026 retention question. She passed all 8 minimum standards, and 91% of surveyed court users recommended keeping her. All four courtroom observers said they would expect to be treated fairly.

    October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: judges.utah.gov

Sources: vote.utah.gov2