Presiding Judge Ryan M. Harris of the Utah Court of Appeals appears on the Nov. 3 ballot in a nonpartisan retention vote. Sandy voters will see the question on their ballots alongside other statewide and local races.

Utah retention elections ask voters a single question: should the judge remain on the bench? A "yes" vote keeps Harris in his seat. A "no" vote removes him.

Candidate information

  • Name: Ryan M. Harris
  • Office: Utah Court of Appeals (retention)
  • Election: Nov. 3, 2026, Utah General Election
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Education: Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University (1995); juris doctor from Stanford University (1998)

Experience and public service

Harris has spent most of his career in Utah's legal system, according to his biography on the Utah Courts website.

After earning his law degree, he clerked for Hon. Stephen H. Anderson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in 1998. He then practiced law at Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough.

Harris served as a District 3 judge on the Utah District Court from 2011 to 2017, according to BallotReady. He also served as a small claims judge at Utah Small Claims Court beginning in 2011, according to the Utah Courts website. He joined the Utah Court of Appeals in 2017 and serves as presiding judge.

Outside the courtroom, Harris has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah. He is a past chairperson of the Litigation Section of the Utah State Bar. He twice received that section's Judicial Excellence Award while serving as a trial judge, according to the Utah Courts website.

Endorsements

Harris has received one endorsement, claimed by the endorser, according to BallotReady:

  • Governing Group

This profile was compiled from publicly available candidate information, including the Utah Courts judicial biography and BallotReady election data.

Sandy residents can find their full sample ballot and polling locations through the Salt Lake County Clerk's office ahead of the Nov. 3 election.