League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature
Plaintiffs claimed that congressional map is a partisan gerrymander in violation of state constitution. The suit alleged that the map intentionally dilutes the voting power of non-Republican voters by splitting Salt Lake County among each of the state’s four congressional districts. On October 24, 2022, a trial court declined to dismiss the plaintiffs’ partisan gerrymandering claims.
Utah Supreme Court sent case back to lower court to consider whether the legislature improperly infringed citizens’ lawmaking power when it overturned redistricting reforms passed by initiative. Voters’ rights to “reform and alter” the law is a fundamental right.
Note: The Brennan Center for Justice, which maintains State Court Report, filed an amicus brief in this case.
Related Commentary
Status of Partisan Gerrymandering Litigation in State Courts
Utah’s high court sent a closely watched challenge to the state’s congressional maps back to the lower court.
Utah Supreme Court to Hear Gerrymandering Challenge