Mormon Women for Ethical Government

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.

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.”

Over 200 volunteers flew to the capitol to help sew quilts together and deliver them to Congress. Mormon Women for Ethical Government and Women Building Peace delivered around 60 quilts.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government jump-started an effort in Utah to create quilts with personalized messages from women about protecting democracy. They will be hand- delivered to Utah’s congressional delegation in May.