Federal Judge Orders Utah Legislature to Redraw Congressional Maps for 2026

A recent court ruling in Utah has declared that the state's 2021 congressional district maps are unconstitutional due to partisan gerrymandering, specifically violating Proposition 4, a voter-approved initiative aimed at reforming the redistricting process and banning partisan gerrymandering. Judge Dianna Gibson ordered Utah lawmakers to redraw the congressional boundaries by September 24, 2025, to comply with the initiative, with the possibility of court intervention if new maps are not satisfactory. This decision challenges the Republican-controlled Legislature's previous maps, which split Salt Lake County—an area with a significant Democratic population—across multiple districts, diluting its political influence. Utah Republican leaders, including Senator Mike Lee and party chairman Robert Axson, criticized the ruling as judicial activism and a judicial takeover, arguing it undermines legislative authority and favors Democrats. The ruling could cost Utah Republicans one of their four U.S. House seats by enabling fairer representation for Democrats in the state’s more urban areas. This case reflects broader national tensions over redistricting, where courts increasingly scrutinize gerrymandering efforts, impacting the political balance ahead of the 2026 elections.