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Utah Legislature Sets Stage for Supreme Court Redistricting Fight

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by
Lauren Steinbrecher
• Published on
Utah Insight

In a special session on Dec. 9, 2025, the Utah Legislature addressed laws around election deadlines and judicial timelines as lawmakers prepare to appeal last month’s court ruling on a new congressional map.

Lawmakers tackled three bills and two joint resolutions, most of them focused on the redistricting fight.

Both the House and Senate approved a joint resolution condemning the judiciary for its decision on the case.

During floor time, several legislators spoke about the Utah Constitution and legislative power in drawing congressional boundaries.

“This isn't just about redistricting. It's about upholding the rule of law and preserving the integrity of the Constitution,” said Senator Chris Wilson (R-Logan).

With an expected appeal to the Supreme Court on the horizon, the legislature passed a bill to change election laws for congressional candidates for the 2026 election year.

The candidacy filing period was pushed back from January to March, with senators explaining that candidates currently don’t have set districts to file in because of the ongoing court case.

For the same reason, lawmakers will also allow candidates to gather signatures across the entire state instead of only the congressional district in which the candidate intends to run.

Another joint resolution will fast track an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court.
 

WATCH: Utah Legislature Sets Stage for Supreme Court Redistricting Fight

A representative of Mormon Women for Ethical Government—one of the groups that sued the state over the 2021 congressional map—told Utah Insight that they believe the legislature should respect the will of the people.

“They were in favor of fair maps, in favor of Proposition 4, and they're trying to show their lawmakers that they want to be represented,” said Laura Eyi. “They want to uphold those constitutional principles that enable voters to reform their government.”

Utah Eagle Forum president Gayle Ruzicka also attended the special session and said she was happy with the outcome.

“I’m grateful they're trying tonight to fix those things, you know, to have an uphill right straight to the Supreme Court. That's where it should go,” Ruzicka said. “I'm grateful that they've pointed out through resolutions as well as legislation how important it is that we abide by the Utah Constitution.”

In addition to passing all measures on the table related to the redistricting battle, lawmakers passed a bill that repeals House Bill 267.

H.B. 267 was passed by the Utah Legislature earlier this year, banning public employees from collective bargaining within their unions. 

The bill sparked large protests, as well as a referendum effort that eventually garnered more than 300,000 signatures.

This week’s repeal will remove the issue from the ballot in 2026.