Utah Legislature Passes New Congressional Map Creating More Competitive Districts Amid Legal Challenges

Utah's Legislature, led by Republicans, approved a new congressional map following a judge's ruling that the previous districts violated a voter-approved anti-gerrymandering measure, Proposition 4. The new map, known as Map C, aims to satisfy legal requirements by minimizing population deviation and respecting municipal and county boundaries, but critics argue it still reflects partisan interests and sidesteps the proposition's core principles. This redistricting creates two more competitive districts that could offer Democrats a slight chance to flip a seat, although the districts still favor Republicans and President Donald Trump won both in 2024. The map must still be approved by a judge before it takes effect for the 2026 midterm elections. The process sparked debate, with Democrats and anti-gerrymandering advocates expressing concerns about fairness and transparency, while some Republicans defend the map as compliant with legal standards. This redistricting effort occurs amid nationwide GOP initiatives to redraw districts to maintain their slim House majority, with similar efforts and legal challenges unfolding in states like Texas and Missouri.