SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A Utah judge on Monday rejected a congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers that favored their party, adopting a newly proposed alternative that leans Democratic ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This ruling comes at a time when Republicans control all four U.S. House seats in Utah and were hoping to maintain their grip with a strategy to protect their incumbents.
Judge Dianna Gibson determined that the proposed map from the Utah Legislature 'unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats.' She emphasized the importance of adhering to anti-gerrymandering standards established by voters, mandating fairness in the districting process. The ruling states that if lawmakers did not comply, she might consider other maps presented by plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters of Utah.
Ultimately, Gibson adopted the map proposed by the plaintiffs, which keeps Salt Lake County largely within a single district rather than splitting it up across multiple districts, as had been done previously.
This decision presents a challenge for Republican efforts in a state where they anticipated a smooth path. For the Democrats nationally, gaining three U.S. House seats next year will be crucial for regaining control of the chamber, especially considering the historical trend of the president's party losing seats in midterm elections.
The newly approved map gives Democrats a stronger avenue to secure a seat in a state that has had no Democratic representation in Congress since early 2021.
State Democrats hailed the ruling as a victory for fair representation in Utah. They stated, 'We took an oath to serve the people of Utah, and fair representation is the truest measure of that promise.'
In a previous ruling, Gibson had nullified the congressional map adopted after the 2020 census due to violations of anti-gerrymandering standards. This recent ruling has positioned Utah in the heart of a national redistricting debate, as Republican leaders mobilize efforts in other states to foster favorable congressional maps ahead of the upcoming elections.
If the judge had approved the GOP's map, all districts would have leaned Republican, but the newly approved map presents Democrats with competitive opportunities.
As the deadline approached for enacting a new map, the ruling sparked significant reactions. While Republicans argued the judge overstepped her authority, Gibson defended her obligation to secure a lawful and fair districting solution by the required timeline.
