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 Matthew David Lorz
Court: Wellsville Justice CourtAppointed: 2022
Last updated
How Wellsville voted
Retained
Unofficial · as of November 4, 2026
Becomes official after the state canvass on November 23.
- Yes
- 82.9% · 19,422 votes
- No
- 17.1% · 3,996 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 MATTHEW DAVID LORZ be retained in the office of Judge of the Wellsville City Justice Court?”
A yes vote
keeps this judge on the bench for another term.
A no vote
removes this judge when the current term ends. The city or county that the court serves appoints a replacement.
State performance evaluation
State evaluation: Meets or exceeds standardsCommission vote
11–0
Survey respondents who would keep this judge
Not surveyed
Minimum standards passed
5 of 5
What this court does
Justice Courts are set up by cities and counties, not the state, and they handle lower-level cases like class B and C misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions, and violations of local ordinances. Their authority only covers the city or county that created them.
Some justice court judges are appointed by county commissions, others by city officials, and some serve both. Judges don't have to be lawyers, but they must complete 30 hours of legal training every year to stay certified.