A Utah court has ordered the state Legislature to redraw its congressional maps before the 2026 elections, ruling lawmakers acted unconstitutionally when they repealed and replaced a 2018 ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission.
Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson wrote Monday that lawmakers “unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4, and enacted SB200, in violation of the people’s fundamental right to reform redistricting in Utah and to prohibit partisan gerrymandering.” She enjoined the state’s 2021 maps and reinstated the standards of Proposition 4, requiring independent, nonpartisan criteria.
The decision is a victory for plaintiffs including the League of Women Voters of Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and the Campaign Legal Center, who argued the Legislature stripped voters of their constitutional right to reform government.
Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams, said they are reviewing the ruling and may appeal to higher courts. Gov. Spencer Cox also voiced disagreement.
If upheld, the ruling could make one of Utah’s four U.S. House seats competitive again, reshaping the state’s political landscape ahead of 2026.
Sources
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