News - Utah Supreme Court Upholds Electoral Map Favoring Democrats

The Utah Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Republican lawmakers, upholding a congressional map that gives Democrats a chance to secure one of the four U.S. House seats, traditionally held by Republicans. Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant stated the court lacked jurisdiction over the legislative defendants' appeal. The dismissed appeal followed a November ruling where a Utah judge backed a congressional map creating a Democrat-leaning district, rather than securing all four seats for Republicans. The approved map consolidates Salt Lake County into a single district, countering past strategy of dividing it among four. Republicans argued the court lacked authority to enact a legislatively unendorsed map. State Senate President Stuart Adams decried the ruling as perpetuating chaos, vowing to uphold constitutional processes and voter representation statewide. The ruling was celebrated by Katharine Biele, chair of Utah's League of Women Voters, lauding the court for rejecting an improper appeal and advancing the electoral process without disrupting voters. The redistricting stems from an August decision by Judge Dianna Gibson, nullifying Utah's post-2020 census map for flouting anti-gerrymandering rules enacted by voters. This decision thrust Utah into national contention over redistricting as President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to reshape districts mid-decade, aiming to fortify Republican House control by 2026. The sanctioned map enhances Democratic prospects in a state devoid of a Democratic congressperson since early 2021. Mormon Women for Ethical Government co-director Emma Petty Addams commended the judiciary for scrutinizing the Legislature and reaffirming citizens’ constitutional right to amend governance. The decision precedes the candidate filing deadline for re-election. Meanwhile, a federal court appeal lodged by two Republican state congressmen remains under review, asserting a state judge breached the U.S. Constitution by discarding the Legislature's congressional maps—an institution dominated by Republicans.