Melissa G. Ballard

Office held

On the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot

Melissa G. Ballard is a candidate for Utah House, District 20. The ballot lists Melissa Ballard, Republican. The district covers all or part of Davis County.

Everyone on the ballot for this seat

Listed in ballot order. Source: Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office, Amended 2026 General Election Certification (PDF). 2026 election guide

Voting record

All votes by Melissa G. Ballard

Piano performance and teaching

Melissa G. Ballard earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music at the University of Utah. Her official member record describes work as a pianist and teacher, business investor and former university adjunct faculty member. Music is a continuing part of her public biography, rather than simply an undergraduate subject: the university has also profiled her collaborative performance work alongside her legislative service. ^{[2] [1]}

University connections beyond elected office

In September 2023, the University of Utah College of Fine Arts featured Ballard and fellow pianist Alex Marshall in a program organized with violinist David Park. The article described planned performances at Libby Gardner Hall and Carnegie Hall and identified both pianists as graduates of the university's undergraduate and graduate music programs. It documents her arts career independently of campaign material. ^[1]

District 20 and legislative interests

Ballard began House service in 2019 and represents District 20 in Davis County. Her official affiliations record describes past work on education funding, workforce connections, mental and behavioral health, arts and museums, and prison education and reentry. These are areas of activity recorded in her biography, while her current committee list provides the more specific reference for the responsibilities she holds at this review. ^[2]

In the 2026 General Session, Melissa G. Ballard was chief sponsor of H.B. 103, Underage Marriage Amendments. It makes marrying a minor, taking a minor out of state for an unlawful marriage, and traveling out of state to marry a minor crimes; moves several existing marriage-related offenses into the criminal code; sets a 15-year limit for prosecution that starts when the minor turns 18; and voids out-of-state marriages involving a minor unless they meet certain conditions. The governor signed it on March 26, 2026. ^[3]

In the 2026 General Session, Melissa G. Ballard was chief sponsor of H.B. 139, Female Genital Mutilation Amendments. It ends the requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services run a community education program on female genital mutilation and removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting the offense. The governor signed it on March 26, 2026. ^[4]

Business, criminal justice and appropriations

Her current assignments include House Business, Labor, and Commerce, House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, and Criminal Justice Appropriations. Interim assignments cover business and labor and criminal justice. That portfolio connects economic regulation with justice-agency policy and spending, while her music and education experience gives additional context for the corrections education and arts interests described in her official record. ^[2]

Profile sources

Profile refreshed October 20, 2026. Candidate statements describe the candidate's own experience or positions; official records and reporting are labeled separately.

1. University of Utah College of Fine Arts — September 2023 musician profile · Official record
2. Utah Legislature — official member biography and assignments · Official record
3. Utah Legislature, H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · Official record
4. Utah Legislature, H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · Official record

From the Legislature's roster

Profession

Homemaker; Pianist and Teacher; Business Investor; Former adjunct faculty, University of Utah

Education

B.S., University of Utah; Masters of Music '94 Piano Performance and Accompanying, and Bachelor of Music '92 Piano Performance, University of Utah; Nationally Certified Teacher of Music

Committees

• Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
• House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee
• House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee
• Business and Labor Interim Committee
• Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee

As listed by the Utah Legislature.

In the news

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