SALT LAKE CITY — Today, a federal court ruled that a fair congressional map proposed by the League of Women Voters Utah (LWVUT), Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) and individual voters — all represented by Campaign Legal Center — will remain in place ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This is a major victory for voters and fair maps in the state of Utah.
State courts in Utah have repeatedly ruled in favor of a fair congressional map despite opposition from the Utah State Legislature. On February 2, 2026, a group of plaintiffs — including U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, and several local elected officials — filed a federal lawsuit, claiming the current map violated the federal constitution’s elections clause. They asked the federal court to reinstate a map passed by the Utah State Legislature back in 2021 that was already ruled by state courts to be in violation of the Utah Constitution and Proposition 4.
Campaign Legal Center — on behalf of LWVUT, MWEG, and individual Utahns — intervened in the federal lawsuit to defend the fair map, asked the Court to dismiss the lawsuit, and opposed the request to block use of the fair map in the 2026 election. For decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that state courts have the power and obligation to impose lawful congressional maps when the state legislature fails to. That is exactly what happened here.
While anti-voter advocates have spent years trying to keep an extreme partisan gerrymander in place, this new ruling in the federal case ensures that voters in Utah will have a map that allows them to fairly choose their elected officials. Today’s ruling affirms that Judge Dianna Gibson had the power to impose the plaintiff's map.
“The court recognized what the League has long emphasized, that last-minute attempts to disrupt election processes—particularly with rejected legal theories—risk creating confusion for voters and administrators alike,” said Caren Short, director of legal and research for the League of Women Voters. “Protecting access to the ballot includes ensuring stability and certainty as elections approach. We are thrilled that Utah’s fair maps are one step closer to being solidified.”
“Utah voters should not have to navigate uncertainty to participate in their elections,” said Katharine Biele, president of the League of Women Voters of Utah. “We are pleased the court protected this fair map and we remain focused on protecting voters’ ability to make their voices heard. We only wish that the futile attempts to undermine this fair map would cease so we could focus on what is important to Utahns.”
“Today’s federal court decision is a significant win for Utah voters,” said Emma Petty Addams, co-executive director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. “This federal lawsuit sought to undo a lawful, court–ordered congressional map. The court’s decision to reject that effort is an important affirmation that the rule of law matters. Utah voters deserve fair representation, and this victory is about protecting those voters - not politicians.
“Today’s ruling affirms that Judge Gibson had the power and obligation under federal law to impose a lawful congressional map. The Utah Legislature chose not to do so and so the court was required to,” said Mark Gaber, senior director for Redistricting at Campaign Legal Center. “We are proud to see Utahns’ continued efforts fighting for their right to fair maps and representation result in another major legal victory for our democracy. Both the state and federal courts have made it clear: Elections in Utah should be determined by voters, and not politicians who can manipulate voting maps.”
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