Utah’s Supreme Court on Monday denied a request from state lawmakers to pause a lower court’s order on the redistricting case, meaning plans to redraw the state’s four congressional districts by Nov. 10 can move forward.
Attorneys for the Legislature had asked the Supreme Court to halt 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson’s ruling which invalidated the maps that have divided the state’s congressional districts in the last two election cycles.
But the Supreme Court denied that request, writing that the Legislature’s arguments were based on issues it had with Gibson’s remedial process for fixing the maps, not with her denial of the stay request which was appealed.
“They argue that the district court abused its discretion in denying their request for a stay of the court’s injunctive order pending the exhaustion of any appeals, but their arguments are focused on the remedial process, not the court’s denial of their stay request,” the court said in an order filed Monday. “Thus, they have not shown that the district court abused its discretion in denying their request. Accordingly, we deny the petition for extraordinary relief.”
The ruling was unanimous and was issued without hearing oral arguments from both sides, who argued their respective cases in written briefs filed last week. Lawmakers had previously agreed to a quick timeline to redraw the maps ahead of next year’s midterm elections but had hoped the Supreme Court would intervene to pause Gibson’s ruling.
Better Boundaries, the group behind 2018’s Proposition 4 which established an independent redistricting commission to recommend maps to lawmakers, celebrated the ruling. Executive director Elizabeth Rasmussen said lawmakers acted unconstitutionally when they changed Proposition 4, making the current maps invalid because they stemmed from an illegal act.
“We’re thrilled this process will move forward on the previously agreed-upon timeline, putting fair congressional maps in place by Nov. 10,” Rasmussen said. “The appeal is still pending, but today’s decision keeps the process moving and affirms the principle that voters, not politicians, choose their representatives.”
Utah House and Senate GOP leaders expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court decision but said the process of redrawing the maps would move forward as ordered.
“A rushed timeline is not the best approach for determining congressional districts nor for setting public policy,” said House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, in a joint statement. “Despite this, the Legislature will move forward to the best of its ability.”
The legislative leaders added a committee had been formed, and Utahns would be able to provide input on the new congressional maps starting Sept. 25 at redistricting.utah.gov.
Meanwhile, Utah Democrats applauded the decision.
“Today’s ruling is yet another rebuke of the Utah Legislature’s blatant disregard for the will of the people,” said Brian King, Utah Democratic Party chairman, in a statement. “The courts have made it clear: Republican politicians don’t get to stall, delay, or rig the process to protect their own power. Fair maps are coming, and they will be in place by Nov. 10.”