Utah's Supreme Court Upholds New Congressional Map

Ruling rejects GOP appeal to overturn map with Democratic-leaning district

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Utah's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Republican lawmakers and upheld a new congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district, giving Democrats a stronger chance of flipping one of the state's four Republican-held U.S. House seats in the upcoming election.

Why it matters

The ruling is a victory for voting rights advocates who argued the previous map unfairly diluted Democratic votes by dividing the heavily Democratic Salt Lake County across multiple districts. It also marks a setback for Republican efforts to redraw district lines in their favor ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The details

In November, a Utah judge adopted a new congressional map that keeps Salt Lake County largely within a single district, instead of dividing the Democratic-leaning population center across all four districts as was previously the case. Republican lawmakers appealed the decision, arguing the court lacked the authority to enact a map not approved by the legislature. However, the state's Supreme Court rejected the appeal, ruling it did not have jurisdiction over the lawmakers' challenge.

  • On November 21, 2025, a Utah judge adopted a new congressional map.
  • On February 21, 2026, the Utah Supreme Court rejected the Republican lawmakers' appeal.

The players

Utah Supreme Court

The highest court in the state of Utah, which rejected the Republican lawmakers' appeal to overturn the new congressional map.

Republican Lawmakers

A group of Republican state legislators who appealed the new congressional map, arguing the court lacked the authority to enact a map not approved by the legislature.

League of Women Voters of Utah

A plaintiff in the lawsuit that challenged the previous congressional map, which the organization said unfairly diluted Democratic votes.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government

Another plaintiff in the lawsuit that challenged the previous congressional map, arguing the courts provided an important check on the legislature.

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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, League of Women Voters of Utah

“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, Mormon Women for Ethical Government

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, who argued the previous congressional map unfairly favored Republicans. However, the legal battle over redistricting in the state is far from over, with a federal court appeal still pending.