Utah Lawmakers Approve New Congressional Map Amid Renewed Court Scrutiny

Utah Lawmakers Approve New Congressional Map Amid Renewed Court Scrutiny

Utah’s Republican-led Legislature approved a new congressional map (“Option C”) during a special session on Monday Oct. 6, redrawing boundaries under a court order that barred the 2021 plan from use in 2026. The map, which splits Salt Lake County east–west, is projected to keep all four U.S. House districts leaning Republican while making one seat modestly more competitive. Lawmakers advanced the plan largely along party lines; it now heads into court review on a tight timetable, with election officials indicating new lines must be in place by Nov. 10. (The Salt Lake Tribune) On the same day, lawmakers passed,…
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Utah Legislators Review 5 Congressional Map Proposals

Utah Legislators Review 5 Congressional Map Proposals

Utah lawmakers have released five options for new congressional boundaries and are moving forward with a court-ordered overhaul of the state’s four U.S. House seats. This follows a recent ruling by Judge Dianna Gibson that the Legislature had improperly disregarded the redistricting standards established by Proposition 4 in 2018. Since the maps used since the 2022 election are now prohibited from being used in the 2026 election, the Legislative Redistricting Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss the five proposals. The legislature must adopt a draft map by September 25, which will then undergo a 10-day public comment period and…
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Utah Court Throws Out Congressional Map, Orders Redraw

Utah Court Throws Out Congressional Map, Orders Redraw

Utah’s redistricting fight reached a turning point on Monday, when Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed the voter‑approved Proposition 4 and ordered the Legislature to enact a remedial congressional map for the 2026 cycle. Proposition 4 passed narrowly by voters in 2018 and was branded “Better Boundaries.” Prop 4 created a seven-member independent redistricting commission and required maps to meet neutral criteria, including equal population, compactness/contiguity, maintaining cities and counties together, respecting communities of interest, and forbidding the drawing of districts to favor or disfavor a party or incumbent unduly. The Legislature could enact or…
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