Utah Strikes Down Gerrymandered Map, Reinstates Voter-Approved Redistricting Reforms

By Yunior Rivas

Salt Lake, Utah, USA at the Utah State Capitol at twilight.

In a landmark victory for voters, a Utah judge struck down the state Legislature’s gerrymandered congressional map and reinstated the citizen-led redistricting reforms voters approved in 2018.

Judge Dianna Gibson ruled Monday that the Utah Legislature’s repeal of Proposition 4 — the voter-approved independent redistricting commission and anti-gerrymandering law — was unconstitutional.

“Proposition 4 is the law in Utah on redistricting. H.B. 2004, the 2021 Congressional Map, which was not enacted under S.B. 200 and not Proposition 4, cannot lawfully govern future elections in Utah,” Gibson wrote. “Use of H.B. 2004, the 2021 Congressional Map, in any future elections is hereby ENJOINED.”

The ruling permanently blocks use of the GOP-drawn 2021 congressional map that split Salt Lake County into four districts, diluting the power of non-Republican voters.

“The Legislature intentionally stripped away all of Proposition 4’s core redistricting standards and procedures that were mandatory and binding on it,” Gibson added. “To permit the 2021 Congressional Plan to remain in place would reward the very constitutional violation this Court has already identified and would nullify the people’s 2018 redistricting reform.” 

The court ordered lawmakers to redraw Utah’s congressional districts under the rules of Proposition 4. They have until September 24 to deliver a compliant plan.

If they fail — or if the new map doesn’t meet the law’s standards — plaintiffs and other groups may submit their own maps for the court to consider.

An evidentiary hearing on the new maps is set for October, keeping the process on track for fairer elections in 2026.

This ruling is a resounding win for the pro-voting plaintiffs who have spent years battling partisan gerrymandering. More broadly, it is a victory for Utah voters who demanded fair maps at the ballot box in 2018.

By restoring Proposition 4 and blocking the gerrymandered map, the court reaffirmed that the people — not politicians — have the final word on how they are represented.