Democrats lauded a Tuesday evening order by a judge in Utah directing the state legislature to quickly draw new congressional maps.
“The Legislature is directed to design and enact a remedial congressional redistricting map in conformity with Proposition 4’s mandatory redistricting standards and requirements,” Judge Dianna M. Gibson wrote in granting summary judgement to a group of plaintiffs who were seeking to invalidate the current congressional maps as designed by the state legislature.
Under Proposition 4, Utah voters in 2018 enacted an independent redistricting process, seeking to end partisan gerrymandering. State lawmakers then effectively invalidated that process by passing a state law in 2020 amending the redistricting act. Gibson gave the legislature until Sept. 24 to draw new lines that comply with the law enacted through Proposition 4.
The new map will likely include at least one Salt Lake City-based district that could offer better political terrain for Democrats.
“In throwing out the current, gerrymandered congressional map, voters in Utah will now have an opportunity to elect leaders that best represent their values, and not have their representation dictated by politicians,” Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement. “This choice is what the current debate in Utah and other states is about — a free and fair midterm election. Donald Trump and House Republicans know they cannot win the midterms based on their abysmal governing record, so they are actively attempting to rig the outcome before a single vote is cast.”
Utah is one of several states, headlined by Texas and California, with active redistricting fights this cycle. All four members of Utah’s current congressional delegation are Republicans.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, criticized the ruling, arguing that it undermines the state legislature’s authority under the state constitution.
“Make no mistake, this decision will make the process of drawing legislative districts in Utah less accountable to voters, not more,” Lee posted on X. “It’ll also result in maps that are far more generous to Democrats, and that’s the whole point.”
“This is yet another example of how ‘independent commissions’ are often used to give the left an unfair, unearned advantage in red states — one they could never otherwise secure,” Lee said.
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