Utah judge rejects GOP-favored map, handing Dems another redistricting win
by Ryan Mancini - 11/11/25 8:08 AM ET
A Utah judge on Monday rejected a Republican-approved congressional map in favor of an alternative that will create a Democratic-leaning district in the Beehive State.
Third District Judge Dianna Gibson wrote in her ruling that the map, which had a finalizing deadline on Monday, “does not comply with Utah law.”
Republicans’ House map, known as Map C, “was drawn with partisan political data on display. Map C does not abide by Proposition 4’s traditional redistricting criteria ‘to the greatest extent practicable,’” Gibson wrote, referring to the 2018 ballot measure approved by voters that reformed redistricting standards.
“And, based on the evidence presented, the Court finds that [Republicans’ House map] was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans,” she added.
Gibson ruled in favor of updated district lines drawn by the plaintiffs, the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. This map splits Utah County into two districts and forms a district in the northern part of Salt Lake County. This will give the state its first Democratic-favored district in a quarter century.
The League of Women Voters submitted a map under the requisites set by Proposition 4, which Utah voters helped make legal in 2018. The law prohibits partisan data from being used to draw up congressional maps.
The Utah ruling is a key win for Democrats as it offers the party an additional pickup opportunity heading into 2026 as the party vies to flip the House.
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5599892-utah-alternative-proposal-congressional-map-democrats/
