SALT LAKE CITY — A panel of federal judges has refused to block Utah's new congressional map from being implemented.
In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge panel rejected a demand by lawyers for county commissioners, mayors and Congressional Rep. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens.
"Because we conclude Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits, and because the Purcell principle counsels this court not to enjoin a state’s election laws in the period close to an election, we DENY Plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion," they wrote.
The ruling means Utah's new congressional map is likely to stay in effect, which created a more competitive Salt Lake County-centric district that Democrats have clamored to run in. The plaintiffs do have the option of appealing directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This lawsuit spirals out of one filed by the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. The voter-rights groups sued the legislature, alleging they improperly overrode Prop. 4, a citizen ballot initiative passed by voters creating an independent redistricting commission.
A state court judge sided with the League and MWEG and struck down the map that split Salt Lake County into four parts. She ordered the legislature to draw new maps, rejected their replacement and implemented one submitted by the League and MWEG.
In their ruling, the judges cited Purcell, a case about state court authority on elections.
"The court concludes Purcell applies here and a federal court preliminary injunction is not appropriate because Utah’s official primary process is upon us," they wrote.
"To begin, the filing period for Utah’s congressional candidates opens on March 9, 2026, only 14 days from today. Beyond that, Utah operates its elections through a two-track system. Candidates have three options to run for office: participate in a caucus and convention system, gather signatures from voters, or both. The caucuses of the State’s political parties are scheduled for March 17, 2026, 22 days from today. The political party conventions will be held on April 25, 2026, in just two months."
Judge Timothy Tymkovich agreed that the plaintiffs failed to show they would prevail, but disagreed that the federal courts should stay out of the case.
"Utah has not entered an active primary season," he wrote. "The Lieutenant Governor has assured us that she has time to implement a new map for caucuses and a primary. Any reliance interests of potential candidates are minimal since this case and the remedy were pending before the Utah Supreme Court for authoritative resolution of the state law issues. This case is complicated, moreover, by the state court’s decision to make a ruling minutes before midnight, thereby precluding the legislature from attempting a new map in light of the court’s rejection of Map C."
The League and MWEG celebrated the ruling.
"Today’s federal court decision is a significant win for Utah voters. This federal lawsuit sought to block a lawful, court–ordered congressional map. The judges’ decision to reject that effort is an important affirmation that the rule of law matters. Utah voters deserve fair representation, and this victory is about protecting those voters - not politicians," said Emma Petty Addams of Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
League of Women Voters of Utah President Katharine Biele was more blunt.
"While we are thrilled but not surprised by this ruling, we wonder when it will sink in that the voters of Utah demand fair maps and fair representation," she told FOX 13 News.
Read the ruling here:
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