Trial Court Rules Lawsuit May Proceed

TRIAL COURT RULES LAWSUIT MAY PROCEED

Judge Dianna Gibson released a summary ruling denying almost all aspects of the Legislature’s motion to dismiss. Read the ruling here. The court ruled in our favor in three core ways: (1) it has jurisdiction over your claims (i.e., it rejected the legislature’s argument seeking exclusive control over redistricting), (2) all our partisan gerrymandering claims in counts 1–4 can proceed, and (3) the legislators were proper defendants.

However, the court ruled against us in one way. It granted the Legislature’s motion to dismiss with respect to count 5 — the claim challenging the repeal of Prop 4.

“We have been hoping for this outcome and we’re very happy the judge wants to move forward with the lawsuit, We look forward to reviewing the judge’s reasoning when she publishes the full opinion, but we believe the constitution protects Utahns’ right to reform our government.”

— Katharine Biele, President, LWV Utah