1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the proposed expansion of Utah's Supreme Court from five to seven justices until after the pending congressional redistricting appeal is resolved. The timing of this proposal undermines public confidence in our judiciary and appears designed to influence the outcome of a case that directly involves legislative overreach. The expansion comes immediately after a district court ruled that lawmakers failed to follow the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering process when drawing congressional maps. Republican leaders have announced their intent to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. Expanding the court now, before that appeal is heard, creates the appearance that the Legislature is attempting to stack the court with justices who might rule more favorably on redistricting and other contentious issues. This is not about workload. While supporters cite rising casefilings, with 270 cases reaching the Supreme Court in fiscal year 2025, judicial leaders have previously cautioned that adding justices at the Supreme Court level could actually slow deliberations. More concerning is the pattern of expansion proposals following rulings that frustrated Republican lawmakers, including decisions blocking enforcement of Utah's near-total abortion ban and limiting legislative power to alter voter-approved initiatives without compelling public interest. More than 900 Utah attorneys have signed a letter opposing this expansion, warning that it would attack, manipulate, retaliate against, and control the Utah judiciary. These are not partisan voices but legal professionals who understand what is at stake for judicial independence. Utah voters approved anti-gerrymandering reforms and deserve to have their will respected through an independent judicial process. If this expansion has merit based on workload, it can wait until after the redistricting appeal is decided. Proceeding now confirms what many Utahns already suspect: this is retaliation against a judiciary that has defended voter rights against legislative interference. I urge you to vote against any Supreme Court expansion proposal brought forward during the 2026 session until the redistricting case is fully resolved.