Unlike other elected officials, whose performance is gauged on their stance on political issues and their voting record, judges are gauged more on how unbiased, balanced and professional they are. District and appeals judges in Utah run for uncontested retention election at the end of their six-year terms.

It's not a matter of how a judge rules on a case but how fair and professional they are, said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan. "Sometimes being a very good judge isn't making everyone happy," Hillyard said.

On Tuesday, the task force voted unanimously to start a work group of lawmakers, court officials and perhaps a marketing professional to completely re-do the voter information section on judges. The results could be finished for a review during the next task force meeting on Oct. 1.

Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, suggested that perhaps the problem with informing voters had more to do with a need for better civics education in public schools.

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