Utah Legislature Urges Judge to Expedite Appeal on Congressional Map
Utah lawmakers are urging a state judge to expedite the certification of her ruling on the state’s congressional map. This request was formalized in court documents submitted on Thursday.
Context of the Appeal
In November, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled against a congressional map proposed by Republican lawmakers. She favored an alternate map submitted by plaintiffs who claimed that the 2021 map unfairly benefited the Republican party.
Urgency for Action
The Legislature’s attorneys contend that they cannot proceed with an appeal without a final judgment. They are asking Judge Gibson to finalize her ruling by December 17. The court documents emphasize that further delays could hinder lawmakers’ ability to represent their constituents effectively.
Legislative Responses
As of Thursday evening, Judge Gibson had yet to respond to the request from the Legislature. Meanwhile, Governor Spencer Cox enacted a bill this week that shifts the filing deadline for congressional candidates from January to March 2026.
- This change provides the Legislature more time to mount an appeal against Gibson’s decision.
- Republican lawmakers have been vocal in their opposition to Gibson’s map, labeling it as one of the most extreme districts in Utah’s history.
Political Reactions
The new map, which creates a congressional district centered solely in Salt Lake County, is seen as more favorable to Democrats. Republican officials argue that this change compromises fairness and constitutes egregious gerrymandering.
Supporters of the new map, however, view the ruling as a significant victory for the principles enshrined in the Utah Constitution. They believe it reinforces the necessary checks and balances among the governmental branches.
As the situation evolves, the Utah Legislature remains focused on resolving the congressional map issue amidst contrasting opinions on judicial decisions and election fairness.
