Congresswoman Maloy Takes On Utah’s Confusing District Map

Congresswoman Celeste Maloy is pushing back against Utah’s current congressional district map, joining a federal lawsuit that she says raises serious constitutional and voter accountability concerns.

Speaking on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio, Maloy explained that she and Rep. Burgess Owens, along with county commissioners, sheriffs, and St. George Mayor Jimmy Hughes, are seeking an injunction in federal court over the map now in place. Maloy argued the outcome has left Utah voters without a clear or transparent process.

Judge Approved Map Had No Public Input

“The map that we have right now was drawn by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit,” she said, adding that neither the Legislature nor the independent commission process outlined in Proposition 4 ultimately shaped the final boundaries. She criticized the judiciary’s role, saying the map was adopted “with no public hearings, no public input, and they're not accountable to anybody.”

Maloy said the lawsuit is different from redistricting disputes in states like Texas and California because Utah’s commission and Legislature were “both left out of the process.” She emphasized that voters should be able to hold mapmakers accountable, but in this case, she believes that remedy has been lost.

The case will be heard in Utah’s federal district court, where Judge Shelby has granted the request for a three-judge panel. Maloy said the uncertainty has created disruption for candidates and voters alike. “All this uncertainty has thrown our election cycle into chaos,” she noted.

Under the disputed map, Maloy said Cedar City is no longer in District 2, creating further confusion. She pointed to concerns about geographic compactness, describing a district that “takes in half the state geographically.”

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Despite calling it a “long shot,” Maloy said she believes the lawsuit has a chance. She confirmed she intends to run again this fall, but has delayed filing until district lines are settled. “Yes, you will,” she said when asked if voters will see her name on the November ballot.

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You can hear the entire discussion with Congresswoman Maloy in the podcast below.