Sandy-area voters will decide whether to retain Third District Juvenile Court Judge Aaron William Flater on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. The nonpartisan retention question asks voters a simple yes or no: should Flater keep his seat?

Flater has served on the Third District Juvenile Court since 2022. Gov. Spencer J. Cox nominated him on Oct. 31, 2022, to fill a vacancy left by Judge Renee M. Jimenez's retirement, according to the governor's office. Judicial nominations in Utah are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

Candidate information

  • Name: Aaron William Flater
  • Office sought: Utah Juvenile Court Judge, District 3 (retention)
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Education: Bachelor's degree from Utah State University; Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Law

Experience and public service

Before joining the bench, Flater built a career in prosecution and private practice. According to the governor's office and BallotReady profile data, his prior roles include:

  • Associate at Henriksen and Henriksen
  • Deputy district attorney at the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office
  • Senior assistant city prosecutor at the Salt Lake City Prosecutor's Office
  • Assistant attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah

Flater received a Trial Attorney of the Year award while at the Salt Lake City Prosecutor's Office, according to the governor's office. He also received a United States Attorney Award during his service as an assistant U.S. attorney.

The Sandy Herald did not receive questionnaire responses or campaign statements from this candidate. This profile is based on the governor's office announcement and BallotReady data. Flater's retention question appears on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.