A judge in Utah ruled on Monday against a Republican-backed congressional map, favoring an alternative that is likely to create districts more favorable to Democrats in the state.
Third District Judge Deanna Gibson stated that the proposed map, which had a Monday deadline, “does not comply with Utah law.” According to reports, she highlighted that the Republican legislators’ map was based on partisan data and involved “extreme” gerrymandering efforts.
Gibson was responding to a challenge from the League of Women Voters of Utah and the League of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. The newly drawn map would split Utah County into two districts, establishing one in northern Salt Lake County, marking the first time in 25 years that a Democratic-leaning district would be created in the state.
The League of Women Voters had proposed a map that aligns with the stipulations of Proposition 4, a measure Utah voters passed in 2018. This law prohibits the use of partisan data in redistricting.
Reports indicate that the Utah Republican Party is now working to gather signatures to potentially repeal Proposition 4. Even if they succeed in collecting 141,000 signatures, any repeal would appear on the ballot next November, meaning it wouldn’t influence the upcoming midterm elections.
Susan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, praised Gibson for rejecting the “partisan, gerrymandered maps,” asserting that power should remain with the people.
“When Utahns passed Proposition 4 nearly seven years ago, we made it clear we wanted fair maps that reflected our communities,” DelBene said. She added her critique of Republicans, claiming they are manipulating congressional maps due to their inability to defend their records on matters like healthcare costs.
Gibson’s decision has been met with optimism from Utah Senate and House Democrats, who expressed a “deep sense of hope and relief” in a joint statement shared early Tuesday.
“This is a win for all Utahns,” the statement read. “We have taken an oath to serve the people of Utah, and fair representation is the true measure of that promise.”
The redistricting struggle in Utah took shape months after President Trump instructed Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps to secure a House majority. Texas was the first to act, where the Republican-led Legislature submitted a map to Governor Greg Abbott for approval in September.
California responded by calling for a redistricting initiative to ensure more Democratic representation, leading to the passage of Proposition 50 on November 4, aimed at countering Texas’s actions.
