Effort to Repeal Utah Anti-Gerrymandering Law Fails

Republican-backed petition drive falls short of signature requirements to put repeal on November ballot

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A petition effort by the Utah Republican Party to repeal the state's 2018 voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law has failed to meet the signature requirements to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot, according to an updated tally. The group pushing for the repeal, Utahns for Representative Government, initially surpassed the required 141,000 signatures statewide, but an effort to remove signatures deemed inadmissible in one district nixed the effort.

Why it matters

Utah's 2018 anti-gerrymandering law, known as Proposition 4, created an independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering. This law has been a target for Republican state lawmakers who have sought to redraw congressional districts to favor GOP candidates. The failure of the repeal effort means the anti-gerrymandering law will remain in place, preserving voter-approved safeguards against partisan redistricting.

The details

In order to place an amendment on Utah's ballot, at least 8% of registered voters in the entire state must sign the petition and 8% of registered voters in at least 26 of the state's 29 Senate districts must sign the petition. While the group pushing for the repeal, Utahns for Representative Government, initially surpassed the required 141,000 signatures statewide and met the 8% in 26 districts requirement, an effort to remove signatures deemed inadmissible in Utah's District 15 caused the petition effort to fall short.

  • The 2018 law that was passed by Utah voters created an independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering.
  • Utah's legislature last year approved redrawn congressional districts alleged to favor Republicans, but they were later invalidated by a federal court for violating Prop 4 — leading to the effort to repeal the voter-approved law.
  • Over the past several months, the groups Better Boundaries and Brave Utahns Rapid Response Network have challenged signatures and the methods used to collect them, successfully dropping the petition effort below the numbers it needed to make the ballot.

The players

Utahns for Representative Government

The group pushing for the repeal of Utah's anti-gerrymandering law.

Better Boundaries

A group that has challenged signatures and the methods used to collect them, successfully dropping the petition effort below the numbers it needed to make the ballot.

Brave Utahns Rapid Response Network

A group that has challenged signatures and the methods used to collect them, successfully dropping the petition effort below the numbers it needed to make the ballot.

Rob Axson

The chair of the Utah Republican Party, who stated that the fight to repeal Prop 4 is not over and will continue through litigation or initiative.

Elizabeth Rasmussen

The executive director of Better Boundaries, who said that a majority of Utah voters approved Prop 4 in 2018 and they look forward to the day when Utah voters can finally pick their politicians, not the other way around.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have significant concerns about the practices utilized by the opposition and continue to review the signature validation and removal process.”

— Rob Axson, Chair of the Utah Republican Party

“Whether now or in the future, by litigation or initiative, we will Repeal Prop 4. This fight is not over but just beginning.”

— Rob Axson, Chair of the Utah Republican Party

“A well-informed voting population leads to better outcomes for everyone. A majority of Utah voters approved Prop 4 in 2018, and we look forward to the day when Utah voters can finally pick their politicians, not the other way around.”

— Elizabeth Rasmussen, Executive Director of Better Boundaries

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Utah Republican Party to continue their efforts to repeal the anti-gerrymandering law through litigation.

The takeaway

The failure of the petition effort to repeal Utah's anti-gerrymandering law is a victory for voter-approved redistricting reforms, but the fight is not over as the Republican Party has vowed to continue challenging the law through legal means. This highlights the ongoing battle over partisan gerrymandering and the importance of independent redistricting commissions in ensuring fair and representative elections.