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 L. Bell
Court: Fifth District CourtCovers: Beaver, Iron and Washington countiesAppointed: 2017
Last updated
What happened
Canceled
Judge Matthew Bell was appointed to the Utah Supreme Court, so his retention election was canceled.
How it reads on your ballot
“Shall MATTHEW L. BELL 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
100%
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.