Press Release: Better Utah responds to SCOTUS gerrymandering decision

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2019

Salt Lake City, UT – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled along partisan lines that Federal Courts cannot make decisions on partisan gerrymandering. In the opinion for the majority, Chief Justice Roberts stated that partisan gerrymandering is a political question outside the authority of the courts. In a dissenting opinion joined by the remaining three liberal justices, Justice Kagan lambasted the decision as a failure to engage in one of the most important roles of the Supreme Court: protecting free and fair elections. 

Chase Thomas, executive director for Alliance for a Better Utah, gave the following statement: 

“Just because you’re allowed to do something, doesn’t mean you should. Now that the Supreme Court has abdicated its responsibility of ensuring fair elections, it is even more important that Utah lawmakers take a stand against partisan gerrymandering and the role it plays in further dividing our communities and nation. For the sake of Utahns’ trust in government institutions and the fairness of elections, it is imperative that lawmakers respect the people’s vote on Proposition 4 and the independent redistricting committee it created. 

“As we move closer to 2021, Better Utah is committed to ensuring that the redistricting process is fair and transparent. We expect lawmakers to make the same commitment.” 

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Alliance for a Better Utah is a good government advocacy and watchdog organization based in Salt Lake City. The organization works to improve the lives of all Utahns by ensuring balance, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.

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