Utah’s redistricting fight could shake Nevada politics

By Jill Douglass  

Nevada News and Views

On August 26, 2025, a judge ruled that Utah lawmakers must redraw their congressional map.

The court said the lines drawn by Republicans ignored the will of voters and tilted the playing field. In plain terms, the judge said the system wasn’t fair.

Democrats cheered, claiming this was a victory for “restoring fair representation.”

Republicans pushed back, arguing the court was interfering in state business.

No matter where you land politically, the ruling sends a message: states need to get their house in order when it comes to redistricting.

Why Nevadans Should Care

Now, you might ask, “What does Utah have to do with Nevada?” The truth is, plenty.

Nevada is often called a bellwether state because we swing back and forth in national elections. That makes the way our districts are drawn a huge deal.

Back in 2020, Nevada ranked 23rd on the Cost of Voting Index, which measures how easy or hard it is to cast a ballot. Some say that’s proof our system is accessible. Others argue we still have work to do.

And unlike most states, Nevada has a “None of These Candidates” option on the ballot. That little box means frustrated voters don’t have to hold their nose and pick a name they don’t believe in.

It’s a small thing, but it shows how unique our election system really is.

The Conservative Concern

Here’s where conservatives should pay close attention. Whenever courts get involved in how states run elections, it opens the door for federal overreach.

Nevada Republicans have long said that decisions about district maps, ballot rules, and voting systems should be made by Nevadans — not by judges in Washington, D.C.

Governor Joe Lombardo has made election integrity a top priority, supporting stronger voter ID requirements and pushing back on ballot harvesting.

These issues matter; once you lose trust in the system, everything else falls apart.

The Left’s Take on the Utah Ruling

Of course, critics of the GOP see things differently. They argue that Republican-led legislatures in states like Utah and Nevada use redistricting to lock in their power.

Groups on the left often push for “independent” commissions to draw maps, saying it takes politics out of the process.

But let’s be honest: nothing about politics is ever truly independent. Somebody always holds the pen.

And conservatives worry that so-called independent commissions often tilt left anyway, leaving Republican voters sidelined.

Nevada’s Next Test

Looking ahead, Nevada could face its own court battles over maps.

Democrats currently control both chambers of the Legislature and used that power in 2021 to draw congressional and state legislative maps. Republicans called those maps a “partisan power grab” at the time, but courts let them stand.

With Utah’s ruling, some wonder if similar challenges could pop up here.

If they do, it will test whether our state can balance voter access with fair representation — without inviting more federal interference.

Why It Matters

For conservatives, the lesson from Utah is simple: stay vigilant.

Protect state control over elections. Keep pushing for rules that make sense, like voter ID.

And never let courts or politicians rig the scoreboard in a way that robs voters of their voice.

*

Jill Douglass is chairwoman of the Clark County Republican Party.