(SALT LAKE CITY, UT) — On November 10th, a Third District Court judge ruled just before midnight that Utah will use fair congressional maps in 2026, upholding what Utahns voted for in 2018 and our courts have protected, now three times.
“Utahns are finally getting what we voted for,” said Taylor Knuth, Executive Director of Alliance for a Better Utah. “When Utahns vote for something, politicians can’t just ignore us. The courts protected our constitutional right to reform our government when politicians refused to follow the law.”
This is the third time the Legislature tried to overturn what voters chose, and the third time courts said no:
2020: SB 200 gutted Prop 4, deemed unconstitutional
2024: Amendment D tried to weaken initiatives, courts voided
2025: Maps drawn with partisan data, again– rejected
The Legislature has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money fighting the will of Utahns and the rulings of judges that they appointed. Instead of wasting our money to protect their own power, they could have increased pay for Utah teachers or funded services for families across the state.
“To legislative leadership: Respect the court’s ruling. Stop wasting our money,” Knuth said. “Voters should choose their politicians. Politicians shouldn’t choose their voters. That’s the Utah way in action. This victory belongs to every Utahn who refused to accept politicians rigging the system.”
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Alliance for a Better Utah is a nonprofit that holds politicians accountable and advocates for progressive policies that make Utah an even better place. The organization improves the lives of all Utahns through advocacy, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.
