MAGA-Backed Push To Repeal Utah’s Anti‑Gerrymandering Law Stumbles Amid Fraud Claims And Tensions

National Republican and MAGA-aligned groups have mounted an aggressive petition drive in Utah to repeal the state's anti-gerrymandering law and overturn a judge-selected congressional map that created a Democratic-leaning seat. With a Feb. 15 filing deadline looming, organizers have verified roughly half the signatures needed, and the campaign has been dogged by allegations of fraud, reports of harassment and growing partisan tension across the state.

Where the Drive Stands

As of Friday, officials had verified just over 76,000 signatures — about half of the more than 140,000 required statewide to place the measure on November's ballot. Organizers say they have many additional signatures pending verification and plan to submit batches before the deadline.

Who’s Behind The Effort

The petition is backed by former President Donald Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., and several MAGA-aligned organizations. Groups involved include Turning Point Action and Securing American Greatness Inc.; activists have hired an estimated 700 paid signature gatherers, many from out of state. Trump and his allies had already spent roughly $4.3 million on the campaign as of November, and spending has continued since then.

Fraud Allegations And Harassment Reports

County clerks — particularly in Utah County, the state's second-most-populous county — have flagged hundreds of signatures as possibly fraudulent. Some entries appear forged or list fabricated names and addresses; in several cases, callers reached by clerks denied ever signing the petition.

“I think it's just the signature gatherers that are doing this are just trying to find an easy way to make money,” Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson told POLITICO.

Conversely, some paid circulators report being harassed, assaulted by hecklers, or having signature packets stolen or destroyed. State GOP leaders say they have fired several circulators under investigation and are reviewing submissions for irregularities.

Opposition Tactics

Better Boundaries, the anti-gerrymandering group opposing the repeal, is actively encouraging signers to withdraw their names. The group mailed nearly 8,000 letters to petition signers last week and has already prompted more than 500 removals, according to its executive director, Elizabeth Rasmussen.

Legal And Political Context

In 2018, Utah voters approved Proposition 4, which created an independent redistricting commission to reduce partisan gerrymandering. This year, District Judge Dianna Gibson found the Republican-controlled legislature violated Prop 4 when it drew the 2022 congressional map. The judge imposed a new map that includes one Democratic-leaning seat in Salt Lake County. The legislature has appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court, and some House members have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to reinstate the GOP-drawn map for 2026.

If the petition meets the statutory signature thresholds, the proposal would appear on Utah’s ballot this November. A successful repeal would allow the legislature to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2028 cycle.

Tensions And Tone

The petition fight has strained Utah’s reputation for civil politics. Governor Spencer Cox urged residents to “resolve [their] disagreements peacefully,” invoking the state’s national attention after the high-profile killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk last summer. Organizers and opponents alike have condemned violence; sponsors noted the heightened emotions surrounding the campaign.

What To Watch Next

• Whether organizers can verify and submit enough signatures by the Feb. 15 deadline.
• How many flagged signatures county clerks ultimately reject after investigation.
• Any developments in the state and federal lawsuits over the congressional map.

The drive serves as an early test of Republican field operations heading into a challenging midterm year and highlights how local ballot mechanisms can become nationalized political fights.