In a move that could potentially upset the political balance in Utah, a state judge has ruled that a map drawn by non-elected activist groups will be used for the state's congressional districts in the 2026 midterm elections.
This decision has sparked outrage among Republicans, with some even calling for impeachment.
According to the Western Journal, Utah Third District Judge Dianna Gibson made the controversial ruling while presiding over a court case concerning congressional districts. The decision has been met with strong opposition from Republicans, including Utah State Rep. Matt McPherson.
"I have opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against Judge Gibson for gross abuse of power, violating the separation of powers and failing to uphold her oath of office to the Utah Constitution," McPherson announced on a social media platform.
The Utah Republican Party echoed McPherson's sentiments. In a social media post, Utah GOP Chairman Robert Axson accused Gibson of overstepping her authority by overriding decisions made by elected lawmakers. "We invite Judge Gibson to leave the bench and run for the legislature to pursue her policy preferences," the post read.
The crux of the dispute lies in Proposition 4, a voter-approved referendum from 2018 that prohibited partisan gerrymandering. Gibson had previously rejected a map proposed by the state legislature in August, ruling that it contravened Proposition 4, as reported by University of Utah public radio station KUER-FM.
The state was then tasked with producing a new map by a November 10 deadline set by Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. "Gibson had before her one map submitted by the heavily Republican legislature and two from plaintiffs in the lawsuit," KUER reported. "According to experts who testified in the case, the lawmakers version had four districts favoring Republicans though not by nearly as much as the current map. The plaintiffs maps each had a district leaning Democratic."
The district that is "leaning Democratic" is located in Salt Lake County, a liberal enclave in a predominantly conservative state. In the 2024 election, Salt Lake was one of only three Utah counties that voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, as per NBC News.
However, it is crucial to understand that Utah's redistricting dispute is distinct from similar battles occurring in other states such as California and Texas. The lawsuit, initiated by the League of Women Voters of Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and individual Utah voters, was first filed in 2022.
Yet, this lawsuit is entangled in the nationwide debate over redistricting, and could potentially secure a Democratic congressional seat in Utah during an election where even a single seat could shift the House majority and impact the remainder of the Trump presidency. This case serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in redistricting battles and the potential for judicial overreach to disrupt the political landscape.
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