Utah Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Controversial District Maps

The Utah Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether a congressional map drawn by the state's Republican-controlled legislature to dilute Democratic votes in Salt Lake County is subject to judicial review or a political issue beyond its reach. Voting rights advocates argue that Utah's Constitution offers a stronger case than the federal one for reining in political maps, citing provisions guaranteeing free elections and the right to vote. The outcome of the case could have national implications for partisan gerrymandering and influence how courts rule in other states. State courts are becoming a crucial battleground for opponents of skewed maps since the U.S. Supreme Court removed federal courts from deciding partisan gerrymander cases.