League of Women Voters

La jueza del Tercer Distrito Dianna Gibson rechazó el mapa de la Legislatura en un fallo del 10 de noviembre para cumplir con un plazo establecido por la Oficina de la vicegobernadora. Ahora, los legisladores republicanos la acusan de ignorar la Constitución de Utah.

Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson rejected the Legislature's map in a Nov. 10 ruling to meet a deadline set by the Lt. Governor's Office. Now, Republican lawmakers are accusing her of disregarding the Utah Constitution.

In an opinion that came down late Monday night, “the Court finds that Map C [the Legislature’s map] was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans,” wrote Judge Dianna Gibson.

The Utah Legislature passed a law dictating how congressional maps can be tested for partisan favoritism. Plaintiffs argue it’s an attempt to get around the state’s ban on gerrymandering.

Utah’s redistricting lawsuit was back in court for the start of a two-day hearing. On day one, the plaintiff’s witnesses took the stand to argue against the Legislature’s map.

Several high-profile Republicans started a campaign to let state lawmakers vote to repeal Prop 4. That’s the 2018 citizen-approved ballot initiative at the center of the redistricting and gerrymandering fight.

Were the standards passed in the special session needed clarity or “a wolf in sheep's clothing?” Plaintiffs in the redistricting case immediately responded in court.

The Utah Legislature has asked the Utah Supreme Court to block a recent lower court ruling that threw out the state’s current congressional map. Plaintiffs in the case called the petition “jarring irony.”

“The people have spoken. The courts have spoken,” said Emma Petty Addams, co-executive director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. “Now is time to move forward with cooperation and respect for the rule of law.”

Supporters argue that requiring voter ID, rather than signature verification, will strengthen Utah’s election system. Opponents believe changes to the ability to mail a ballot will hinder turnout while disenfranchising voters.

If you ask some in the Legislature, the 60% voter threshold is about accountability when your neighbor is proposing a tax increase. Similar resolutions failed to pass in the last two years.

Judge Dianna Gibson’s order says ballots can be printed as certified, but Amendment D is void and won’t be counted. The state could still appeal to the Utah Supreme Court.