Voting on judges? Their report cards could help you decide

• Under state law, they are subject to retention during the first general election three years after they were appointed.
• After the first election, state supreme court judges appear on the ballot every 10th year. Judges for other courts surface on the ballot every sixth year.

How it works: Formed in 2008 by Utah legislators, the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission evaluates appointed judges who are up for retention through a "blind" process, publishes reports based on their findings and recommends whether to retain them.

• Survey respondents rate justices on a five-point scale, assessing legal ability, integrity and judicial temperament and procedural fairness. The public can view those percentage scores online.
• Still, it's ultimately up to voters to decide if they stay or get kicked off the bench.

Between the lines: Made up of 13 members, the group includes the executive director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

• The remaining 12 are split between four people appointed by the Utah Supreme Court, four by the governor, two by the senate president and two by the house speaker.
• A political party cannot hold a majority of appointed members.