Politics
Utah Supreme Court hears challenge to Legislature's constitutional court
The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the Legislature's creation of a new "constitutional court" designed to review ballot initiatives before they reach voters, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Critics argue the body violates separation of powers and undermines direct democracy.
October 7, 2026 at 11:03 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 3 sources
Utah Legislature overrides voter-approved ballot measures
Harvard Political Review examines how Utah's Republican-supermajority Legislature has repeatedly overturned or weakened ballot initiatives approved by voters, including Medicaid expansion, independent redistricting, and medical marijuana legalization. The pattern reflects tension between Utah's conservative legislative culture—heavily influenced by LDS Church positions on some issues—and a more moderate electorate on ballot questions.
October 7, 2026 at 8:02 AM MT · via Harvard Political Review
LDS women shift away from scandal-plagued Arizona GOP candidate
NPR reports on Latter-day Saint women in Arizona distancing themselves from a Republican candidate facing scandal, reflecting broader tensions between religious voters and party loyalty. The article examines how LDS women's political engagement is shifting in response to candidate controversies.
October 4, 2026 at 4:02 AM MT · via NPR · 5 sources
KUER carries live 3rd District debate with Maloy and Udell
KUER provided live radio and online coverage of the October 2, 2026, debate between Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell in Utah's 3rd Congressional District race. The public radio station broadcast the forum from Utah Tech in St. George starting at 6 p.m.
October 3, 2026 at 1:03 PM MT · via KUER
3rd District candidates clash on monuments, nuclear energy at Utah Tech
Candidates for Utah's 3rd Congressional District debated national monument boundaries, nuclear energy, forest management, and environmental regulation at a St. George forum. Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell offered competing visions for federal lands policy and energy development in the state's largest district.
October 3, 2026 at 1:03 PM MT · via Utah News Dispatch
Maloy, Udell split on monuments, nuclear in 3rd District debate
Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell clashed over Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, nuclear energy development, and forest management in a largely polite debate at Utah Tech. The candidates presented sharply different visions for public lands and energy policy in Utah's largest congressional district.
October 3, 2026 at 1:03 PM MT · via KUER
Maloy, Udell debate Colorado River, AI regulation in Utah 3rd District race
Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell debated Colorado River water allocation, artificial intelligence regulation, and the downsizing of Utah's national monuments in their first pre-election matchup for the state's newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the candidates also addressed data center development and affordability.
October 3, 2026 at 8:02 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 8 sources
RadioWest examines whether female judges in Utah face retaliation
KUER's RadioWest aired a segment examining whether female judges in Utah's judiciary face professional retaliation, exploring patterns in retention elections and legislative oversight. The discussion touched on the state's political culture and whether judicial independence is threatened when judges rule on politically sensitive cases.
September 30, 2026 at 11:02 PM MT · via RadioWest | KUER
Former judge: Oaks taught him Constitution views can hurt others
Thomas Griffith, a retired federal appellate judge and Latter-day Saint, says he was moved by Church President Dallin H. Oaks' comment that his views on religious liberty changed when he learned they hurt other people. The Salt Lake Tribune reports Griffith called the acknowledgment unprecedented in his experience.
September 30, 2026 at 6:03 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 3 sources
Utah House candidates McAdams, Owen debate in midterm race
Utah voters heard from House candidates Ben McAdams and Burgess Owens in a televised midterm debate broadcast live by PBS. The race is one of Utah's most closely watched congressional contests.
September 29, 2026 at 7:02 PM MT · via PBS
Commentary traces LDS socialism from early 1900s candidates to global members today
Latter-day Saint socialist candidates were common in Utah and Idaho in the early 20th century, and socialist-identifying members remain present in the global church today, according to a Salt Lake Tribune commentary examining the history and current reality of left-wing politics among Mormons. The essay traces how LDS socialism moved from an accepted political position in the 1910s and 1920s—when multiple socialist Latter-day Saints held local office—to a marginalized stance after mid-century anti-communist rhetoric from church leaders.
September 29, 2026 at 7:03 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune
Op-ed: Church's abortion messaging to voters is 'coercive control,' not peacemaking
A Salt Lake Tribune op-ed argues the LDS Church's recent messaging to voters on abortion ballot measures constitutes "coercive control at every level" rather than the peacemaking the institution claims. Author Brad Price writes that while he already supported Idaho's Proposition 1 to protect women and human dignity, he now has "another reason" after seeing what he calls "an attempt at religious supremacy."
September 27, 2026 at 7:02 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 14 sources