Gerrymandering, the epitome of electoral corruption, has been ruled illegal in the state of Utah by the Utah Supreme Court. In a unanimous decision, the Court reminded the Utah Legislature of its place in the electoral process. League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature challenged the Republican-majority dismantling of Proposition 4, which banned partisan gerrymandering in 2018.

“This lawsuit tells them that indeed they need to represent and listen to the voices of the people,” said Katharine Biele, LWV-Utah’s president.

The implications of this win can mean seeing a non-red future and a more thriving and fair democracy. Small wins like this indicate that all hope is not lost.

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering was first observed in 1812 by The Boston Gazette after Massachusetts state’s Jeffersonian Republicans insidiously drew the voting districts to best benefit their party in elections.

In less than 50 years, the founders’ dream of creating an equal and fair state had just become what it was — a dream. During a period where only white, male, landing-owning persons could vote — nowhere near the majority — the U.S. still managed to discriminate further and disenfranchise their population.

After the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many Americans saw this as a new awakening. In its essence, this act was supposed to remove any race-based and predatory voting processes. However, after this bill became law, various states still implemented the sneaky, corrupt electoral processes we see flourishing.

Sustaining Hope

One of the most critical parts of sustaining a progressive and prosperous state requires hope. It may now seem like the world is ending —however, we must remember that people throughout history have experienced times like these as well. Yet, they still managed to continue to hope and fight.

After the legislature’s recent crusade against DEI, literature availability, reproductive healthcare and environmentalism, keeping hope seems inefficient.

However, fighting without emotion can lead us astray. In 2018, after voters passed Proposition 4 to establish a nonpartisan Independent Redistricting Commission, the Republican-majority Legislature decided that this route could mean losing their monopoly in the state.

To combat the new proposition, they created and passed S.B. 200 to counteract independent district drawing. This bill essentially repealed the ban on biased and partisan gerrymandering. By doing so, the Legislature made creating a fair electoral system nearly impossible.

Thankfully, the Utah Supreme Court stepped in and “determined that the citizens have a right to change their form of government,” Biele said.

The Future of Utah’s Democracy

Though this decision does not entirely mean that gerrymandering will disappear overnight or even in the next couple of years, it does indicate that things do move.

Democracy may be flawed, but dismantling it now could lead to unforeseen dangers. Recently, The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 has made its way to mainstream media, which has become a slap in the face for many. Examples like Project 2025 and conservative-majority SCOTUS decisions show how democracy will fare in the future.

All this to say, there is still time to prevent this. Yes, recent decisions and bills have unfortunately pushed us back, but that does not mean we can’t switch back the direction. Voting and civic participation will need to become something daily in our lives. Voting itself will not go a long way, but voting in combination with civic engagement will.

This gerrymandering case should serve as a reminder that not all else is lost.

To Progress

There is still hope regardless of everything that has happened. Although a little behind, Utah can still progress if everyone contributes to stopping the madness infiltrating the country.

“First of all, we would like everyone to vote … they are there to listen to you,” Biele said. “Don’t be afraid of them. Every citizen matters. That’s what matters.”

The fight is not over and will never be over. Small steps can go a long way during difficult times. Progress has never been an easy prize.

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@iragilume