Utah Congress members sue to block new House districts that boost Democrats' chances

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

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:31pm

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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 could boost Democrats' chances of winning a Salt Lake City area seat in the upcoming midterm elections. The lawsuit claims a state judge violated the U.S. and Utah Constitutions when she rejected districts drawn by the Republican-led state Legislature and instead imposed an alternative map submitted by groups suing the Legislature.

Why it matters

Redistricting battles have become increasingly contentious in recent years, with both parties seeking to gain electoral advantages through the redrawing of congressional district boundaries. This lawsuit is the latest example of the ongoing legal and political fight over House district maps in several states ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The details

The lawsuit filed by Maloy and Owens, along with nearly a dozen local officials, contends the state judge's decision to impose an alternative House map submitted by the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government violated the Constitution, which gives redistricting powers to state legislatures. The revised maps keep Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County almost entirely within one district, instead of dividing it among all four districts as previously.

  • The deadline for Utah candidates to file for election is March 13, 2026.
  • The state judge rejected the Republican-drawn districts in August 2025 and imposed an alternative map in November 2025.

The players

Celeste Maloy

A Republican member of Congress from Utah who is suing to block the new House districts.

Burgess Owens

A Republican member of Congress from Utah who is suing to block the new House districts.

Dianna Gibson

The state judge who rejected the Republican-drawn districts and imposed an alternative map.

League of Women Voters of Utah

A group that sued the state Legislature over the redistricting map and had its alternative map adopted by the judge.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government

A group that joined the lawsuit against the state Legislature's redistricting map and had its alternative map adopted by the judge.

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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 (wbal.com)

What’s next

A federal judge will decide whether to block the use of the new House districts that were imposed by the state judge.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing partisan battles over redistricting and the efforts by both Republicans and Democrats to gain electoral advantages through the redrawing of congressional district boundaries. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the 2022 midterm elections in Utah.