Republican states nationwide are considering whether their congressional maps are up to snuff, and at least in Utah, upcoming changes might be a source of contention.

A judge in Utah struck down Republicans' plans to redraw the congressional maps before next year’s midterm elections, as The New York Post reported.

Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that the legislation must pass a new “remedial congressional map" before the end of September, if they plan to go forward.

This order comes amid a fight between Texas and California, both of which are attempting to redistrict their states to the advantage of the majority party in those states.

More from the judge

According to the judge, the lawsuit brought against state Republicans who are looking to change the map might have merit.

“The nature of the violation lies in the Legislature’s refusal to respect the people’s exercise of their constitutional lawmaking power and to honor the people’s right to reform their government,” Gibson said in the ruling.

Craig Caplan on X:
Utah judge ruled Monday the state’s congressional map must be redrawn for the 2026 elections within the next 30 days. All 4 House district seats are currently held by Republicans...

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— CPAC (@CPAC) August 26, 2025

Previous decisions

In 2018, voters created an independent redistricting body to create congressional maps, but in 2020, lawmakers passed legislation making that role an advisory one.

The legislature then ignored the commission’s proposal and drew their own map, following the 2020 census data delivery.

“Plaintiffs have proven, as a matter of law, that the Legislature unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4 and enacted S.B. 200, in violation of the people’s fundamental right to reform redistricting in Utah and to prohibit partisan gerrymandering,” Gibson said in the ruling.

This ruling could impact the number of Republican seats there are in the House of Representatives following he 2026 midterm elections.

From the other side

Lawmakers have until the 24th of September to deliver new maps, thanks to the suit brought by voting rights groups. Those groups assert that a change now would be tantamount to gerrymandering.

A redraw of Utah’s map could make one of the four congressional districts competitive for Democrats.

Utah GOP Chairman Robert Axon said in a statement that “Once again, certain members of Utah’s judiciary abandon the principles of our Constitutional Republic."

"Using earlier flawed rulings to justify their opinions over the principles of our founding is a special kind of hubris — Judicial Activism in Action!”