⏰ Tick Tock
Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - 4
Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - 88
Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - 454
Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - 1,187
Maloy says the power to redraw political maps should be kept in the hands of Utah lawmakers
As other states race to redraw political maps mid-decade, Rep. Celeste Maloy says Utah’s system doesn’t need fixing.
On a telephone town hall this week, Maloy was asked about the escalating redistricting fight in Texas, where Republicans are pushing a map that could net the GOP up to five additional House seats. Several states are eyeing redrawing their maps in response.
Maloy said she would oppose a federal ban on mid-decade remapping, arguing the process should stay with the states.
"I know it's the hot topic right now. It's what all of the blogs and the news channels are talking about, but we don't need more legislation. Federal legislation oftentimes makes things worse," Maloy said.
"When state legislatures are abusing the law, then voters can hold them accountable, and courts can hold them accountable.”
Don’t expect Utah to join the tit-for-tat. All four of the state’s U.S. House seats are solidly Republican, leaving little incentive for mid-cycle mapmaking.
Maloy also defended Utah’s once-a-decade process, where lawmakers draw the lines, as sufficient.
"Utah's constitution says that the Utah Legislature draws the districts, and I think that's the way it should be," Maloy said.
That process is currently being challenged in court after lawmakers gutted a ballot initiative passed in 2018 that put redistricting in the hands of an independent commission.
Friday morning's headlines
Utah and the West
Utah Democrats bank on backlash to crack a tough electoral map. [Utah Political Watch]
Blake Moore calls Texas GOP's redistricting plans "a step too far." [KSL]
A redistricting arms race is unfolding. A looming court ruling may push Utah into the spotlight. [Utah News Dispatch]
After "No Kings" shooting, should SLC verify protest organizer identities. A leading civil rights group says no. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Charges dismissed against Salt Lake protester in a "significant" First Amendment win, ACLU says. [Utah News Dispatch]
Utah Board of Pardons and Parole names 5 finalists as governor prepares to fill vacancy. [KUTV]
Soon counties will face stricter rules around jail overcrowding releases. Does S.L. County have enough space? [Salt Lake Tribune]
UDOT has new plan for the future of 300 West outside of Delta Center. [Deseret News]
These Utah cities, school districts, other entites are seeking property tax hikes. [KSL]
Redistricting wars
Republicans are aiming to pick up a dozen or more House seats in the 2026 midterms after Florida, Missouri and Indiana are poised to join Texas in redrawing their congressional maps to avoid an expected Democratic wave. [Punchbowl News]
A federal court ruled Alabama must use independently drawn congressional maps that created a second Black-majority district that favors Democrats. [Politico]
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking Illinois to serve arrest warrants on Democratic lawmakers who fled the state. [X]
Nation
President Donald Trump announced that federal law enforcement will help patrol Washington, D.C. [Politico]
The Aryan Freedom Network, a neo-Nazi group, is riding high after President Trump returned to the White House. [USA Today]
World
Satellite images show Israel is massing troops for a possible ground invasion of Gaza. [NBC News]
"He is completely upset": Why Trump scrapped an India trade deal. [Politico]
Japan says Trump to correct "extremely regrettable" error in tariff order. [New York Times]
Economy
The number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits rose to the highest level since November 2021. [Washington Post]
Just 45% of Americans approve of how President Trump is handling economic issues. [CNBC]
Las Vegas is experiencing a significant drop in tourism. [NPR]
