SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Legislature will move forward and redraw the state's congressional districts after a judge struck down lawmakers' maps earlier this week.
In an interview with FOX 13 News on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, confirmed plans to comply with Judge Dianna Gibson's order. But he also said the legislature would ask the Utah Supreme Court for a stay of her 30-day deadline.
Speaker Schultz was not thrilled with the ruling, insisting that the legislature has the constitutional power to set boundaries.
"A single un-elected judge is not the way forward on this. So, you know, we're certainly upset not about just the ruling, but the timeframe we're going to ask for a stay on this. We're hopeful that the Supreme Court considers a stay on this, because the timeline that's been laid out isn't fair to the citizens. It's not fair to the public, and it's just not fair to the process," he said.
Judge Gibson struck down the legislature's maps on Monday, siding with the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. They sued, alleging the legislature improperly overrode Proposition 4, which voters approved in 2018 and created an independent redistricting commission. When the legislature disregarded the commission's maps in favor of their own, the legislature illegally gerrymandered congressional districts to favor Republicans.
Asked what he would say to those who argue it's the legislature who disregarded voters' will when they passed Prop. 4, Speaker Schultz replied: "I think that's a great question and something that we're going to be talking about here for quite some time. Look the Constitution, and the plain language of the Constitution clearly says that it's the legislature's authority to redraw these boundaries."
What Utah's possible new Congressional districts might look like:
As far as what the maps will look like? Speaker Schultz said he still wanted a mix of rural and urban districts.
"One of the things that the state of Utah has always cared about, and the policymakers have always cared about, is that we create districts that represent both the urban part of the state as well as the rural part of the state of Utah," he said. "We think that's important, because we want all four of our Congress members to know the issues all across our state."
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, told FOX 13 News he was open to negotiating with the plaintiffs in hopes of reaching a compromise. Speaker Schultz said in response, "we're always willing to do whatever we can possible to solve an issue."
Better Boundaries, the group that ran the Prop. 4 campaign and is pressuring lawmakers to draw new maps, said it was happy to see Republican legislative leaders change their mind. But they suggested they would still be watching.
"We are encouraged the Legislature will move forward with new maps. Utahns voted for independent redistricting in 2018, and the court confirmed that choice must be respected," said Elizabeth Rasmussen, Better Boundaries Executive Director. "Proposition 4 was about fairness, setting standards like keeping communities together, drawing compact and contiguous districts, using real boundaries, and preventing politicians from drawing lines to protect themselves. Now the Legislature must honor those standards so every Utahn has a real voice."
Any maps the legislature puts forward must still be approved by Judge Gibson.
