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State sup. ct.
Order reversing trial court on commission.
Case Information
State court challenge to Utah’s congressional maps as a partisan gerrymander in violation of the state constitution. The lawsuit also seeks to reinstate the authority of the state’s independent redistricting commission, which was created by a 2018 citizens’ initiative (Proposition 4) but then relegated to an advisory role in 2020 by the state legislature.
On Oct. 24, 2022, the trial court dismissed the claim with respect to the role of the commission, but allowed the partisan gerrymandering claims to proceed. The parties cross-appealed to the state supreme court, which heard arguments on July 11, 2023.
On July 11, 2024, the state supreme court reversed the trial court with respect to the commission, holding that “the people’s right to alter or reform the government through an initiative is constitutionally protected from government infringement, including legislative amendment, repeal, or replacement of the initiative in a manner that impairs the reform enacted by the people.” The litigation over the commission will continue, with the trial court now assessing whether the 2020 legislation impermissibly impaired the operation of Prop 4 — and if so, whether the existing map is lawful. The supreme court stayed further action on the partisan gerrymandering claims in the meantime.
History
Case filings, starting with most recent courtName | Last Modified | ||
---|---|---|---|
Complaint | Mar 17, 2022 | ||
Motion to dismiss | May 2, 2022 | ||
Opposition | Jun 1, 2022 | ||
Reply | Jun 17, 2022 | ||
Opinion dismissing claim re commission | Nov 22, 2022 | ||
Plaintiffs' statement on leg. privilege | Dec 6, 2022 | ||
Objection | Dec 23, 2022 | ||
Plaintiffs' supp. statement on leg. privilege | Jan 5, 2023 | ||
Objection | Jan 6, 2023 | ||
Order deferring ruling on privilege | Jan 18, 2023 | ||
Order staying trial case pending appeal | Jan 18, 2023 |