In a decisive rebuke of partisan manipulation, Utah’s Third District Court has ordered the Legislature to implement fair congressional maps by November 2025. The ruling declares that the Legislature’s 2020 repeal of Proposition 4 (a voter-approved initiative establishing independent redistricting) was unconstitutional, affirming that citizen-led reforms are protected under Utah’s Constitution.
This ruling follows a Utah Supreme Court opinion affirming that when Utahns use citizen initiatives to reform government, those reforms are constitutionally protected. The court found that the Legislature’s decision to override a voter-approved independent redistricting process violated fundamental democratic principles.
“For years, the Utah Legislature has governed through manipulation, not representation,” said Jackie Morgan, Senior Partner at Elevate Strategies. “That era ends today. Fair maps will restore real competition to Utah politics and national observers should take note: Utah is no longer off the map.”
She continued: “This isn’t just a courtroom victory, it’s a turning point. Utah is one of the youngest, fastest-growing, and most politically dynamic states in the country. With these new maps, we’re going to see emerging leaders, energized voters, and, for the first time in a generation, a real contest for power. This is the foothold that could shift control of Congress.”
The stakes are significant. With Republicans holding a slim 219–212 majority in the U.S. House, even a single seat in Utah could influence the national balance of power. The ruling mandates that fair maps be finalized by November 2025, in time for the 2026 election cycle. Despite the Legislature’s expected appeal, the timeline is locked in.
“We’re already organizing,” said Morgan. “We’re recruiting candidates who reflect the diverse values of modern Utah, from Provo to West Valley. And we’re building the infrastructure to compete in every winnable district. Utah isn’t a red state, it’s a rigged state. Until now.”
Behind the headlines, a deeper political story is unfolding. Utah has moved more to the left in the past 20 years than any other state. Its suburbs are shifting, its Gen Z voters are rising, and its political identity is cracking open. Fair maps will only accelerate those trends. See more at www.elevateutahpac.com/utah.
