By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

Following a yearslong battle between voting-rights groups and the state, Judge Dianna Gibson released a ruling Monday evening that Utah had gerrymandered its congressional districts and must redraw its congressional boundaries.

The Legislature will now have until Sept. 24 to adopt new boundaries which comply with the citizen-led initiative Proposition 4.

“The Legislative Defendants are ordered to make their chosen remedial map available to Plaintiffs and the Court no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 24, 2025 or within 24 hours of enacting the new congressional map, whichever occurs earlier,” wrote Judge Gibson.

Background

In 2018, citizen group Better Boundaries ran a ballot initiative to create an independent redistricting commission to draw the state’s congressional boundaries following the 2020 census. The goal was to eliminate partisan gerrymandering.

Before the commission could get to work, however, the State Legislature significantly weakened the power of the commission, transforming the board into an advisory committee. The recommendations of the commission were promptly ignored as lawmakers created and passed their own maps.

This prompted a series of lawsuits from the League of Women Voters of Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government and others who challenged the Legislature. In 2024, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that the State Legislature had overstepped its boundaries when it overrode the independent redistricting committee approved by voters.

This prompted the Legislature to try to push Amendment D onto the ballot, a measure that would be ruled unconstitutional by state courts.

This all culminated in Monday’s ruling, declaring the Legislature must redraw the congressional boundaries by 2026.

The ruling

“Plaintiffs have proven, as a matter of law, that the Legislature unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4, and enacted SB 200, in violation of the people’s fundamental right to reform redistricting in Utah and to prohibit partisan gerrymandering,” reads the ruling by Judge Gibson. “Here, there is no question that Proposition 4 is overwhelmingly substantive legislation to reform and establish a statutory redistricting process.”

This ruling comes at a time when major redistricting pushes are coming across the nation. In Texas, President Donald Trump encouraged the Republican majority to redraw boundaries in a move to net five more GOP seats in the 2026 midterm.

In response, California is proposing a redraw of congressional boundaries to potentially net the Democrats 10 seats.

Lawmakers will now have until Sept. 24 to redraw boundaries in accordance with Proposition 4. A status conference is scheduled for Friday to hear from both the defendants and plaintiffs on what the next steps may be.

The ruling only applies to the state’s congressional districts, and will not impact state Senate or House districts.

Attorneys for the Legislature have previously indicated appeals to the Utah Supreme Court and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court if the ruling were to fall against them.

Public Reactions

“Today’s district court ruling is a major victory for voters, and a major blow to extreme, out-of-touch politicians. Finally, despite the best efforts of the legislative supermajority, Utahns will be getting fair maps and real representation, something they voted for nearly eight years ago. Utah Democrats are ready to hit the ground running next year, and we look forward to holding Republicans accountable to their constituents in these new, fairly-drawn districts,” said Brian King, chair of the Utah Democratic Party.

In a statement to other media outlets, Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz stated,” We remain committed to protecting the voices of Utahns and upholding the Legislature’s state and federal constitutional authority to draw congressional districts,” with the duo adding they were” disappointed by the court’s decision.”

Criticisms continued from Sen. Mike Lee, who in a post on X shared,” If you live in a Republican-led state – one with a GOP governor and Legislature – keep this in mind: Almost anything promoted as an “independent commission” is often a strategy to give Democrats an edge they can’t win through fair elections. This is especially true for legislative redistricting, the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.”

If you live in a Republican-led state—one with a GOP governor and legislature—keep this in mind: Almost anything promoted as an “independent commission” is often a strategy to give Democrats an edge they can’t win through fair elections. This is especially true for legislative… https://t.co/WeRXX6TeDw

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 25, 2025

Another prominent GOP figurehead criticized the ruling, with Utah Republican Party Chair Robert Axson stating,” Once again, certain members of Utah’s judiciary abandon the principles of our constitutional republic.” He continues,” Using earlier flawed rulings to justify their opinions over the principles of our Founding Fathers is a special kind of hubris – Judicial Activism in Action!”

“For years, the Utah Legislature has governed through manipulation, not representation,” said Jackie Morgan, Senior Partner at Elevate Strategies, a Democratic general consulting and communications firm. “That era ends today. Fair maps will restore real competition to Utah politics and national observers should take note: Utah is no longer off the map.”

She continued: “This isn’t just a courtroom victory, it’s a turning point. Utah is one of the youngest, fastest-growing, and most politically dynamic states in the country. With these new maps, we’re going to see emerging leaders, energized voters, and, for the first time in a generation, a real contest for power. This is the foothold that could shift control of Congress.”

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.