The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 17, 2026
It’s a big week in the ongoing attempt by the Utah legislature to do an end run around the voter-approved Proposition 4 fair redistricting amendment. Signatures required for putting a repeal of the amendment before voters were due Feb. 15th, and a GOP appeal reaches federal district court Feb. 18th.
The years-long fight was rekindled in December 2025 when Third District Judge Diana Gibson rejected the legislature’s remedial congressional district map as a violation of the state constitution, and ordered a compliant map created by the League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
The Proposition 4 constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2018 enshrined a fair redistricting criteria and an independent redistricting commission. President Trump’s quest for the gerrymandering of more GOP U.S. House seats spurred constitutional challenges to Judge Gibson’s chosen map, both in the Utah Supreme Court and federal district court. The federal trial before a three-judge panel begins February 18th.
The state GOP is also attempting to repeal Proposition 4 through its own ballot initiative. The deadline for signatures was February 15th, but the Salt Lake Tribune reports it’s unclear if the 140,000-signature threshold was reached. Accusations of fraudulent signatures led to the firing of the firm hired to lead the petition effort.
We’ve linked to our past reports on Utah voters’ fight for fair maps at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The American Redistricting Project – Powers Gardner, et al. v. Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson
Campaign Lega Center – League of Women Voters, Mormon Women for Ethical Government Move to Intervene in Lawsuit Challenging Utah’s Fair Congressional Map
Utah News Dispatch – Utah’s redistricting fight heads to federal court; anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs ask to intervene
US District Court for Utah – GOP Challenge to Utah Congressional Districts
Salt Lake Tribune – Prop 4: Fate of GOP bid to repeal Utah’s gerrymandering ban still unclear in final days
Past Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (Nov. 2025) Utah Judge Rejects Legislature’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map, Choosing a Map Which Follows the State Constitution Instead
American Democracy Minute – (Jan, 2026) Utah Judge Allows Legislature to Appeal Replacement Fair Congressional Map
American Democracy Minute – (Jan, 2026) Polls Show Most Utah Voters Want to Protect Their Fair Redistricting Amendment, But Another GOP-Backed Ballot Initiative Aims to Repeal It
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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