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Judge Sides With Utah County In Navajo Voting Rights Case

Utah County
utahbirds.org
Utah County

A federal judge is declaring that Utah's San Juan County has made appropriate reforms after finding its previous political boundaries racially gerrymandered.

Judge Robert Shelby declined Monday to reopen the case in response to concerns from Navajo residents in the state's southeast corner.

The residents claimed that up to 2,000 voters did not receive the appropriate ballot for last Tuesday's primary election and wanted Shelby to hold the county in contempt of court.

Shelby has twice ruled against the county for drawing racially discriminatory districts that disenfranchised Navajos who make up roughly half the county's population.

The June 26 primary was the first election using the new districts.

Lawyers for the residents did not immediately respond to inquiries seeking comment.