Utah Congress members sue to block new House districts

Lawsuit claims state judge violated constitution by rejecting Republican-drawn map

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:55pm

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Two Republican members of Congress from Utah, Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, have filed a federal lawsuit to block the use of new U.S. House districts that were imposed by a state judge last year. The lawsuit claims the judge violated the U.S. and Utah constitutions by rejecting the districts drawn by the Republican-led state legislature and instead imposing an alternative map submitted by groups suing the legislature.

Why it matters

The new districts could boost Democrats' chances of winning a Salt Lake City area seat in the upcoming midterm elections. Utah is one of several states still locked in legal battles over House voting districts ahead of the 2022 midterms.

The details

The lawsuit asserts that the U.S. Constitution and Utah Constitution both give redistricting powers to the state legislature, and 'courts have no authority to draw a congressional map.' It contends Utah's districts should revert to those last approved by the legislature in 2021, unless lawmakers come up with new ones. The revised maps keep Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County almost entirely within one district, instead of dividing it among all four districts as was previously the case.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Monday, February 3, 2026.
  • The deadline for Utah candidates to file for election is March 13, 2026.

The players

Celeste Maloy

A Republican member of Congress from Utah.

Burgess Owens

A Republican member of Congress from Utah.

Dianna Gibson

A state judge who ruled in August that Utah's congressional districts violated anti-gerrymandering provisions and imposed an alternative map in November.

League of Women Voters of Utah

A plaintiff in the lawsuit that led to the new congressional map.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government

A plaintiff in the lawsuit that led to the new congressional map.

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What they’re saying

“The map currently in place is fair and legal.”

— Katharine Biele, President of the League of Women Voters of Utah (ksgf.com)

What’s next

A judge will decide whether to block the use of the new congressional districts in Utah ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing partisan battles over redistricting that are playing out across the country as states redraw their congressional maps following the 2020 census. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.