A Utah Judge on Monday, Rejected the New Congressional Map Drawn by Republican Lawmakers, Adopting an Alternate Proposal that creates a Democrat-Leaning District ahead of the the 2026 Midterm Elections. Republicans currently hold All Four of Utah’s House Seats and had Advanced a Map poised to Protect them.
Judge Dianna Gibson Ruled just before a Midnight Deadline that the Legislature’s New Map “unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats.” She had Ordered Lawmakers to Draw a Map that complies with Standards established by Voters to ensure Districts don’t Deliberately Favor a Party, a Practice known as Gerrymandering.
If they Failed, Gibson warned She may consider other Maps submitted by Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit, that led Her to Throw-Out Utah’sEexisting Map. Gibson ultimately Selected a Map drawn by Plaintiffs, the "League of Women Voters of Utah" and "Mormon Women for Ethical Government". It keeps Salt Lake County almost entirely within One District, instead of Dividing the Heavily Democratic Population Center among All Four districts, as was the Case previously.
The Judge’s Ruling throws a Curveball for Republicans in a State where they expected a Clean Sweep as they’re working to add Winnable Seats elsewhere. Nationally, Democrats need to Net Three U.S. House Seats next year, to wrest Control of the Chamber from the GOP.
The Newly approved Map gives Democrats a much Stronger chance to Flip a Seat in a State that has Not had a Democrat in Congress since early 2021. “This is a win for every Utahn,” said State House and Senate Democrats in a Joint Statement. “We took an oath to serve the people of Utah, and fair representation is the truest measure of that promise.”
In August, Gibson struck Down the Utah Congressional Map adopted after the 2020 Census, because the Legislature had Circumvented Anti-Gerrymandering Standards passed by voters. The Ruling thrust Utah into a National Redistricting Battle as Trump (R) urged other Republican-led States to take up Mid-Decade Redistricting to try to help the GOP Retain Control of the House in 2026.
Some Democratic States are considering New Maps of their own, with California Voters Approving a Map last week, that gives Democrats a Shot at Winning Five more Seats. Republicans are still ahead in the Redistricting Fight. Redistricting typically occurs once a Decade after a Census. There are No Federal Restrictions to Redrawing Districts Mid-Decade, but some States, more led by Democrats than Republicans, set their Own Limitations. The Utah Ruling gives an unexpected Boost to Democrats, who have fewer Opportunities to gain Seats through Redistricting.
Republicans have argued Gibson does Not have Legal Authority to enact a Map that wasn’t Approved by the Legislature. State Rep. Matt MacPherson (R-26th District) called the Ruling a “gross abuse of power” and said He has Opened a Bill to pursue Impeachment against Gibson. Gibson said in Her Ruling She has an Obligation to ensure a Lawful Map is in place by the Deadline.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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