Resolution to Preserve the Utah Constitution Against “Better Boundaries”

Sponsored by Wendy Hart

Adopted by the State Central Committee on September 6, 2025

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WHEREAS, the Utah State Constitution explicitly grants the power to draw legislative boundaries to the State Legislature; and

WHEREAS, the Utah Supreme Court has declared that citizen initiatives take precedence over legislative laws if they concern governmental structure; and

WHEREAS, the citizen initiative that created an independent redistricting commission was elevated by the Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson to grant the commission the authority to regulate the legislature’s power to draw legislative district boundaries; and

WHEREAS, this action creates a de facto amendment to the Utah State Constitution regarding the authority and power of who draws these boundaries, bypassing the amendment process outlined in the State Constitution; and              

WHEREAS, George Washington in his farewell address warned against extra-constitutional amendments by saying: “If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.”; and

WHEREAS, the Utah Republican Party opposes extra-constitutional measures that amend the State Constitution outside of the prescribed processes;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Utah Republican Party as follows:

The Utah Republican Party calls upon our elected officials and the judiciary to rein in this extra-constitutional power and restore the authority granted by the Utah State Constitution to the State Legislature for drawing legislative boundaries.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Utah Republican Party urges its members, elected officials, and candidates to advocate for the preservation of constitutional processes and oppose any encroachments on legislative authority; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be adopted by the Utah Republican Party on this day, Sept. 6, 2025, and disseminated to all relevant parties, including party members, elected officials, the judiciary, and the public.

Co-Sponsors: 

Brooks Benson, Mike Carpenter, Scott Schultze, Maryann Christensen, Cristy Henshaw, Keri Guinn, Marilyn Momeny, Jaime Munns, Olivia Dawn HW, Stafford Palmieri Sievert, Rachel Goates