The recent ruling on Utah’s congressional maps is a blatant act of judicial activism and a direct violation of the Utah State Constitution. Whether one agrees with the current maps or not, the rule of law requires that every branch of government remain within its constitutional boundaries.
Article IX, Section 1 of the Utah Constitution is clear: “the legislature shall divide the state into congressional, legislative, and other districts accordingly.” This responsibility belongs solely to the elected representatives of the people, not to unelected judges or partisan activists. Proposition 4, passed in 2018, established what has been called a “nonpartisan” committee to recommend maps to the Legislature, but it does not require the Legislature to adopt any specific proposal. Because Proposition 4 did not amend the Constitution, it does not alter the Legislature’s exclusive authority over redistricting, nor does it transfer that power to an unelected committee or to the Utah Judicial Branch.
By overturning the Legislature’s duly enacted maps, Judge Dianna Gibson has exceeded her authority and trampled the constitutional role of the Legislative Branch. Even more concerning is the deceptive timing of her ruling, after months of delay, issued in the middle of the night, denying the people’s representatives any opportunity for a timely appeal. Such tactics are manipulative, unethical, and unbecoming of a judicial officer. Utahns deserve transparency and integrity from their courts, not secrecy and corruption.
To make matters worse, Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson chose to allow this violation of the Utah Constitution by accepting Judge Gibson’s map, rather than rejecting it and forcing an appeal. Her behavior encourages future judicial activism, and encourages further violations of the checks and balances of the government. The violation of checks and balances incites distrust of government from the voters, and tyranny from representatives and judges.
The Iron County Republican Party calls for the impeachment of Judge Dianna Gibson for her abuse of power and violation of the Utah Constitution, and for Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson to also be held accountable for failing to defend the Legislature’s lawful authority. We urge voters to contact their State Senators and Representatives to demand that such misconduct does not become further normalized in Utah politics.
The people of Utah will not stand by while activist judges and complacent officials undermine the separation of powers and the rule of law. We demand accountability, integrity, and a swift restoration of constitutional order in our state.
You can contact your representatives here:
Evan J. Vickers – [email protected]
Rex P. Shipp – [email protected]
Carl R. Albrecht – [email protected]
The Iron County Republican Party Executive Committee
