The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 18, 2025
We reported September 9th that a Utah state district court ordered a new Congressional district map be drawn by September 25th. Shortly after, the GOP-dominated Utah legislature asked for an emergency stay, which was denied by the Utah Supreme Court on September 15th. The new fair map should be in place for the 2026 midterm.
In 2018, Utah voters approved Better Boundaries Proposition 4, establishing a commission independent from the legislature charged with creating fair, communities of interest-based maps for Congress, state legislature, and school districts. Fair maps were drawn, but the legislature passed SB 200 to neutralize the commission and the legislature drew new gerrymandered maps, actions later ruled unconstitutional.
In asking for the stay, the state legislature argued 3rd District Court Judge Dianna Gibson had abused the court’s discretion in striking down the 2021 Congressional map for not complying with Proposition 4, but then ordering a new map which only partially met Prop 4’s guidelines. The Utah Supreme Court, however, found Judge Gibson has not abused her authority due to the timeline, and denied the stay.
For now, the timeline for fair Utah Congressional maps will likely remain in place for the 2026 midterm election. A full appeal by the legislature to the state supreme court will likely be heard in the coming months.
We have the opinion and more at AmericanDemocracyminute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Judge Orders Utah to Immediately Draw New Congressional Map, After the Legislature Circumvented the Voters – and the State Constitution
Utah News Dispatch – Anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs cite ‘irony’ in Utah lawmakers’ appeal to Utah Supreme Court
Utah Legislature – Emergency Petition for Extraordinary Relief in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature
Utah Supreme Court – Emergency Stay Ruling in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature
Utah News Dispatch – Utah Supreme Court denies Legislature’s petition to block ruling tossing out congressional map
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center, Better Boundaries UT
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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