A Utah district court judge has ruled that the state’s Republican-controlled legislature must redraw congressional boundaries, declaring the current 2021 map unlawful, according to reporting from the Associated Press.
Why It Matters
This ruling could significantly impact the balance of power in Congress as Republicans prepare to defend their slim House majority in the 2026 midterms.
The decision creates uncertainty in what was considered a reliable four-seat Republican sweep, potentially affecting the broader national political landscape where Democrats need to gain just three seats to control the House.
What To Know
District Court Judge Dianna Gibson determined that lawmakers circumvented voter-approved safeguards designed to prevent partisan gerrymandering when they weakened an independent redistricting commission.
Utah’s current congressional map divides Salt Lake County, the state’s Democratic stronghold, among all four congressional districts, which have since elected Republicans by wide margins. In 2018, voters narrowly approved a ballot initiative creating an independent redistricting commission to draw fair boundaries.
However, lawmakers repealed this initiative in 2020, replacing it with an advisory board they could ignore. The following year, legislators disregarded the commission’s congressional map proposal and adopted their own version that carved up Salt Lake County.
The Utah Supreme Court previously ruled that the legislature cannot change voter-approved ballot initiatives except to reinforce them or advance compelling government interests.
Republican Governor Spencer Cox said that he did not agree with the ruling but holds respect for Utah’s judiciary, the AP notes. However, Robert Axson the state’s GOP chairman called the decision “judicial activism in action,” in part according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
What People Are Saying
Utah Democratic Party on X on Monday night: “BREAKING: The Third District Court just reinstated Prop 4 and ordered new congressional maps before the 2026 election. This is a major victory for voters. We look forward to holding Republicans accountable to their constituents in these new, fairly-drawn districts.”
David Reymann, an attorney for the voting rights advocates who challenged the map, told reporters Monday night: “The Legislature in this state is not king,” Reymann said, according to the AP.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin in a statement sent to Newsweek via email Monday night: “The DNC applauds the Third District Court in Utah for striking down Utah’s blatant, gerrymandered maps. Utahns deserve representation that reflects the demographic and ideological makeup of the state. Utah Republicans gerrymandered the maps because they knew they were losing power in the state, and they attempted to stop Democratic gains in the state.”
He added: “With this ruling, power is back in the hands of everyday Utahns to be able to choose their representatives, instead of Donald Trump and Republicans. Every seat counts, and Democrats everywhere are fired up and ready to take back the House in the midterms in 2026.”
What Happens Next?
The AP reports that lawmakers have a September 24 deadline handed down by the ruling. It is immediately unknown if or when an appeal is expected.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
The post Judge Orders Utah to Redraw Congressional Map: What We Know appeared first on Newsweek.
