Judge Dianna Gibson has permitted the Utah State Legislature to appeal her ruling regarding redistricting to the Utah Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court may not swiftly rule in favor of the legislature regarding overturning her decisions on the new congressional map. In an order issued late Friday, Judge Gibson pointed out that the legislature had opportunities to appeal her decisions since August but chose not to act on them. She stated, "The December 22, 2025 hearing confirmed what the Court suspected," in reference to a recent hearing. Judge Gibson highlighted that with election deadlines approaching, the Legislative Defendants expressed intentions to appeal but did not utilize the proper appellate avenues available. Despite this, Judge Gibson has allowed the legislature to appeal her rulings from August and September. However, she denied their request to close the case. In her order, she indicated that it would be up to the Utah Supreme Court to determine if there is sufficient legal basis for appellate jurisdiction. The implications of this decision mean that the Utah Supreme Court will ultimately evaluate whether the legislature can contest the congressional map approved by Judge Gibson. This map has been described as more competitive, particularly in relation to Salt Lake County. The League of Women Voters of Utah, along with Mormon Women for Ethical Government, initiated legal action against the Utah State Legislature, claiming it improperly overrode Proposition 4. This proposition, passed in 2016, established independent redistricting. The plaintiffs contended that the legislature bypassed an independent commission tasked with drawing the maps, instead implementing their own version which allegedly favored Republican candidates, a practice known as gerrymandering. Judge Gibson ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, rejecting the legislature's map and selecting an alternative that aligns with the interests of Democratic candidates. Updates on this developing story will be provided as new information arises.