Barabak: Finally some fairness in redistricting fight. In Utah, a judge stands up for voters

['Mark Z. Barabak Is A Political Columnist For The Los Angeles Times', 'Focusing On California', 'The West. He Has Covered Campaigns', 'Elections In Of The States', 'Including Presidential Contests', 'Scores Of Mayoral', 'Legislative', 'Gubernatorial', 'Congressional Races. Follow Him On Bluesky At'] Los Angeles Times 2025-09-07 00:00:00

The Republican-run Utah Legislature ignored voters and gerrymandered the state in favor of the GOP. But, improbably enough, Utah has suddenly emerged as a rare Democratic bright spot in the red-vs.-blue redistricting wars. AdvertisementIt’s a welcome pushback against the growing pattern of lawmakers arrogantly ignoring voters and pursuing their preferred agenda. “There’s always going to be someone who disagrees,” Carson Jorgensen, the chairman of the Utah Republican Party, said airily as lawmakers prepared to give voters their middle finger. Members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, created by voters to leash politicians, are divided over Democrats’ gerrymandering effort.