Summary
A judge in Utah has ordered state lawmakers to redraw the congressional district map immediately, stating it must comply with voter-approved guidelines before the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling follows a dispute over gerrymandering, where the current maps heavily favor Republicans. The judge emphasized that the process should ensure fair representation for voters.
Key Facts
- A Utah judge has ruled that the state's congressional district map must be redrawn right away.
- The current map, used for the 2022 and 2024 elections, was criticized for heavily favoring Republican candidates.
- The judge pointed out cases in Texas and California to show that redistricting can be done quickly.
- Utah previously approved an independent commission in 2018 to draw district boundaries; however, the state legislature later ignored the commission's recommendations.
- The judge's decision requires lawmakers to adopt a new map that complies with voter-approved standards.
- Redistricting traditionally occurs once a decade after the census, but some states are doing it mid-decade to influence election outcomes.
- The Utah Supreme Court had previously ruled that lawmakers have limited power to change voter-passed laws.
- The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that gerrymandering issues are to be resolved by individual states, not federal courts.
