• A Utah judge rejected a Republican-drawn congressional map in favor of a Democratic-leaning alternative.
• The ruling is expected to boost Democratic chances in the 2026 midterm elections.
• Judge Dianna Gibson criticized the legislature's map for gerrymandering and favoring Republicans.
• The approved map maintains Salt Lake County as a single district, enhancing representation for Democrats.
• Republicans have planned to gather signatures to repeal a law allowing independent redistricting.

A Utah judge on Monday rejected a congressional map proposed by Republican lawmakers, opting instead for an alternative that establishes a Democratic-leaning district. Judge Dianna Gibson stated that the Republican-drawn map "unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats," emphasizing that it did not comply with Utah law against gerrymandering. Her decision favors updated district lines submitted by the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, which revolve around preserving Salt Lake County as a singular district rather than dividing it among four, as was previously done, according to CBS News, The Hill, Reuters, and Los Angeles Times.

The newly approved map enhances the Democratic party's prospects in a state that has not elected a Democrat to Congress since early 2021. Gibson's decision arrived amid national redistricting tensions, particularly after Republican-led states like Texas altered their maps to favor their party. "This is a win for every Utahn," emphasized the state’s Democratic leaders, invoking a commitment to fair representation, according to The Hill and Reuters.