Utah judge rejects GOP redistricting effort, approving new map with a Democratic seat
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/utah-judge-rejects-republican-congressional-map-redistricting-rcna242988
A Utah judge late Monday night rejected new congressional district lines drawn by Republican state lawmakers, instead approving a map with a solidly Democratic seat ahead of next year's midterm elections.
The ruling is a major blow for Republicans, who had designed a map to protect the states all-GOP congressional delegation. And it gives Democrats a boost as they attempt to respond to Republicans mid-decade redistricting efforts around the country and win control of the House in 2026.
The court-ordered map drawn by Republican state lawmakers would have resulted in four districts that were solidly or leaning Republican, though two would have been more competitive than the current iteration.
But Utah District Court Judge Dianna Gibson tossed that map in favor of one suggested by the plaintiffs in the case. She concluded that Republicans had impermissibly considered political data and gerrymandered in favor of their own party.
Breaking: A Utah judge just tossed out Republicansâ gerrymandered map and ordered a new map that will include a new safe Democratic seat.
Utah now joins California in helping to cancel out Trumpâs gerrymandering.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen.bsky.social) 2025-11-11T14:31:44.738Z