The 2026 Legislative Session

Here we go again for 45 days of activism, frustration, and of course hope. The legislature starts its 2026 session on Tuesday, Jan. 20. We will be on the Capitol steps at 11 a.m. with other nonprofits to let lawmakers know we are watching. 

This will be a challenging session as the legislature continues to pass on misleading information about Proposition 4 and our lawsuit. They are promising a constitutional amendment that would effectively make citizen initiatives futile, and of course repeal Proposition 4.

“Utah Supreme Court decisions have long recognized that elected officials and citizen initiatives are coequal. However, the recent ruling raised serious concerns by effectively turning ballot initiatives into a super law that superseded state statutes,” Senate President Stuart Adams said via a statement. “That ruling changed Utah’s form of government from a republic to a democracy.”

This is a profound misunderstanding of how initiatives work in Utah. Proposition 4 is the only one in the state’s history that changed the form of government, and it wasn’t easy to get that passed. From 1952 through 2014, Utahns petitioned 23 initiatives onto the ballot; only four of these have passed – a 25% success rate, according to Ballotpedia. The legislature retains the right to revise all other initiatives, and they have done so every time. 

I have posted our latest Motion for Summary Disposition in the Redistricting Blog. The motion explains in detail how the legislature has continually missed deadlines and spread fear about the new voting districts. As you know, they are also trying to repeal the law with an initiative of their own, signatures of which are due ironically on the anniversary of the League – February 14. 

While you will hear people talk about “gerrymandering” or the effort to end it, our lawsuit and Proposition 4 is actually about FAIR MAPS to make sure every voice is represented no matter what party they belong to.  

We can expect bills to make the initiative process difficult if impossible. And lawmakers are also furious with the courts, seeking to change them by adding justices, impeaching judges, or generally disparaging the judiciary. The League has an ongoing judiciary study which you may be interested in joining. Let me know and I will pass on your information. 

The League will be advocating for new water laws, clean air, and public lands. Voting rights, as always, are top of our agenda. A seemingly benign bill to make Election Day a holiday could be one more step toward eliminating mailed ballots. You will want to check our Take Action page for updates and ways to contact your representatives. 

We welcome any of you to join our Legislative Action Corps, virtually or in person. The legislature’s user-friendly website allows you to monitor and testify at any committee hearing. 
Following are some updates from LWVUS, which has been hard at work defending democracy. 

• Statements/Messaging 

  • Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Seeking California Voter Data 

  • League of Women Voters, ACLU, Broad Coalition Urge Supreme Court to Reject Novel Reading of “Election Day” Statutes that Would Disenfranchise Mail Voters 

  • LWV Joins LULAC and Common Cause in Calling for Congressional Investigation Into Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions (see also the congressional letter below)  

• Administration Updates 

  • President Trump was visited by current Venezuela leader Maria Corina Machado this week. He also gave a speech in Detroit and visited a Ford factory in Dearborn, MI. He also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act on protestors in MN. Next week the President will attend the national college football championship in Miami, FL. 

• Congress Updates 

  • Congress remains focused on appropriations measures and negotiating a solution to the expiration of the ACA subsidies. The Senate will be in recess next week and the House will be in session. 

  • Leaders of LWVUS, The League of United Latino American Citizens, and Common Cause, urged Congress to launch emergency investigations into ICE’s and CBP’s use of force following multiple shootings and to halt further funding until accountability and meaningful reform are achieved.  

  • LWVUS joined a sign-on letter to Congress urging members to oppose appropriations legislation that includes additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.  

• Bylaws Amendment Proposals Accepted Through Feb. 27 

One of the many important business items at LWV’s National Convention is the review and possible amendment of the LWVUS Bylaws. The amendment proposal process is now open and closes on February 27. Visit the League Management Site to learn more about the submission process — watch the recorded presentation (passcode: 9.@sug4v), review current LWVUS Bylaws, and access the submission form. Questions can be directed to the Bylaws Committee at bylaws@lwv.org.   

• Program Planning Survey Response Form now available and upcoming webinar 

  • The next program planning webinar will be Wednesday, January 21 at 6pm Eastern. This webinar is for anyone who needs a refresher on how to run a program planning meeting. Register here.  

  • The online program planning survey form is now available for Leagues to use to submit their responses following their program planning meetings. Leagues can visit our Program Planning 2026-2028 LMS page for the link and more information.