Utah's Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Map With Democratic-Leaning District

Ruling rejects appeal by Republican lawmakers to overturn the new district boundaries.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Utah's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Republican lawmakers and upheld a congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district in the state. The new map keeps Salt Lake County largely within a single district, instead of dividing the heavily Democratic population center among all four districts as was previously the case. Republicans had argued the court lacked the authority to enact a map not approved by the Legislature, but the court dismissed the appeal, stating it did not have jurisdiction over the lawmakers' challenge.

Why it matters

The ruling is a significant victory for voting rights advocates who had challenged the state's previous gerrymandered congressional map. The new map gives Democrats a stronger chance of flipping one of Utah's four Republican-held U.S. House seats in the upcoming elections, potentially shifting the balance of power in Congress.

The details

In November, a Utah judge adopted the new congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district, overriding the previous map drawn by the Republican-led state Legislature. Republican lawmakers appealed the decision, but the state's Supreme Court has now rejected that appeal, leaving the new map in place. The approved map keeps Salt Lake County largely within a single district, instead of dividing the heavily Democratic population center among all four districts as was previously the case.

  • On February 21, 2026, the Utah Supreme Court rejected the appeal by Republican lawmakers.
  • In November 2025, a Utah judge adopted the new congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district.
  • In August 2025, a Utah judge struck down the state's previous congressional map, ruling that the Legislature had circumvented anti-gerrymandering standards passed by voters.

The players

Utah Supreme Court

The state's highest court that rejected the appeal by Republican lawmakers to overturn the new congressional map.

Republican Lawmakers

A group of Republican state legislators who appealed the adoption of the new congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district.

Judge Dianna Gibson

The Utah judge who struck down the state's previous congressional map in August 2025, ruling that the Legislature had circumvented anti-gerrymandering standards.

League of Women Voters of Utah

A plaintiff in the lawsuit that challenged the state's previous gerrymandered congressional map.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government

Another plaintiff in the lawsuit that challenged the state's previous gerrymandered congressional map.

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What they’re saying

“We are encouraged that the court dismissed this improper appeal and allowed the process to move forward without disruption to voters or election administrators.”

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

“The courts have provided an important check on the Legislature, affirming the people's constitutional right to alter and reform their government.”

— Emma Petty Addams, Co-executive Director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government (wbal.com)

“We will keep defending a process that respects the Constitution and ensures Utah voters across our state have their voices respected.”

— Stuart Adams, Utah Republican Senate President (wbal.com)

What’s next

There is another appeal pending in federal court that was spearheaded by two of the state's Republican members of Congress. The lawsuit filed in February argues the state judge violated the U.S. Constitution by rejecting the congressional districts drawn by the Republican-led state Legislature.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant victory for voting rights advocates in Utah, as the new congressional map creates a more competitive district that gives Democrats a stronger chance of flipping a seat in the state. It also highlights the ongoing battles over gerrymandering and redistricting across the country, with courts playing a crucial role in checking the power of state legislatures to draw district boundaries for partisan gain.