From the 2026 Utah Voter Guide, for the November 3, 2026 general election. Kept as published, with results added.
All 2026 items →Judicial Retention
Judge Eric Russell Gentry
Court: Fifth District CourtCovers: Beaver, Iron and Washington countiesAppointed: 2023
Last updated
How the Fifth Judicial District voted
Retained
Unofficial · as of November 4, 2026
Becomes official after the state canvass on November 23.
- Yes
- 82.0% · 40,285 votes
- No
- 18.0% · 8,842 votes
Needs more yes than no votes to be retained. Source: election results (opens in a new tab)
How it reads on your ballot
“Shall ERIC RUSSELL GENTRY be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Fifth Judicial District?”
A yes vote
keeps this judge on the bench for another term.
A no vote
removes this judge when the current term ends. The governor appoints a replacement, confirmed by the Utah Senate.
State performance evaluation
State evaluation: Meets or exceeds standardsCommission vote
12–0
Survey respondents who would keep this judge
96%
Minimum standards passed
8 of 8
What this court does
The District Court is Utah's main trial court, meaning it handles the widest range of cases. The state has 71 full-time district judges spread across eight judicial districts.
These courts hear all civil lawsuits and serious criminal cases, like homicides, assaults, drug offenses, arson, and robbery, plus some misdemeanors. A big part of their workload is family law, including divorces, child custody, support, adoption, and probate cases. District judges can also review certain decisions made by state agencies.