Watchdogs ask judge to remove from Utah ballots a measure that would boost lawmakers’ power

Associated Press

Government watchdog groups are asking a judge to remove from the Utah ballot a measure that would give lawmakers more power over citizen initiatives. The court filing from Thursday is latest episode in a yearslong battle over who has the power to draw legislative and congressional districts in the Republican-dominated state. Groups including the League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government say in their court filing that lawmakers are using deception to get voters to surrender their constitutional rights. Lawmakers in other states have mounted similar attempts to control political mapmaking.