Utah judge to decide on citizen initiative changes by Thursday

A Utah judge is set to make a ruling regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state Legislature to override citizen initiatives. This decision comes after the League of Women Voters of Utah and other groups filed a lawsuit challenging the amendment, claiming that the language on the ballot is misleading. They argue that voters might mistakenly believe the amendment would enhance the citizen initiative process, when in fact it would grant more power to lawmakers to repeal such initiatives. The judge, Dianna Gibson, indicated that she would provide an informal ruling via email and a formal ruling the following morning. The urgency of the situation is heightened by the approaching election, which is less than eight weeks away, and the potential need for costly ballot reprints if the amendment remains on the ballot. The attorney for the League of Women Voters emphasized that the amendment contradicts its stated purpose, as it would not strengthen but rather weaken the citizen initiative process. The proposed amendment is rooted in a 2018 ballot measure that established an independent commission for legislative district drawing, aimed at preventing gerrymandering. However, the Republican-controlled Legislature has resisted these changes, previously removing provisions that protected against political gerrymandering. The situation has led to significant political tension, particularly regarding the drawing of congressional maps that have split liberal areas into multiple districts. The Utah Supreme Court previously ruled against the Legislature for overstepping its authority in this matter, indicating a complex relationship between citizen initiatives and legislative power in the state. The outcome of the judge's ruling could have lasting implications for the balance of power between voters and lawmakers in Utah.