Mormon Monday: The Pinkest City in the Reddest State
Why does Utah's most Democratic city sit at the heart of the LDS Church? This week on Postmormon Postmortem, we examine Salt Lake City's political evolution, Utah's controversial redistricting battles, and the Church's claims of political neutrality. From gerrymandering and court fights to the Pentagon's rapid reversal on LDS religious classification, we explore what influence looks like when faith, power, and politics intersect in modern Mormonism.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom. "Political Neutrality and Participation." Updated June 1, 2023. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/political-neutrality
REDISTRICTING
Democracy Docket. "Utah Congressional Redistricting Challenge — Case Timeline." Last updated February 23, 2026. https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/utah-congressional-redistricting-challenge/
Utah News Dispatch. "Federal Panel Denies Bid to Overturn Utah's Court-Ordered Congressional Map." February 23, 2026. https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/23/redistricting-federal-panel-denies-bid-to-overturn-utah-congressional-map/
Democracy Docket. "Utah Supreme Court Upholds Fairer Map for Midterm Elections, Rejects GOP Appeal." February 21, 2026. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/utah-supreme-court-upholds-fairer-map-for-midterm-elections/
ABC4 Utah. "Utah Supreme Court Dismisses Legislature's Redistricting Appeal." February 21, 2026. https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/supreme-court-denies-redistricting-legislature-appeal/
Redistricting Online. "Utah's Court-Ordered Redistricting: Where Things Stand." May 22, 2026. https://redistrictingonline.org/2026/05/22/utahs-court-ordered-redistricting-where-things-stand/
Utah News Dispatch. "5 Key Utah Redistricting Issues to Watch in 2026." January 5, 2026. https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/05/5-key-utah-redistricting-issues-to-watch-in-2026/
NBC News. "Utah Judge Orders New Congressional Maps for 2026 in Another Redistricting Twist." August 27, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/utah-judge-orders-new-congressional-maps-2026-another-redistricting-tw-rcna227150
HB 392 / CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Mormon Women for Ethical Government. "Utah Fair Districting." https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/fairdistricting
ABC4 Utah. "Utah Supreme Court Will Hear Challenges to New 3-Judge Panel 'Constitutional Court' Law." April 29, 2026. https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/utah-supreme-court-challenges-constitutional-court-law/
ACLU of Utah. "HB 392 Constitutional Court Amendments." March 29, 2026. https://www.acluutah.org/legislation/hb392-constitutional-court-amendments/
Utah News Dispatch. "Faced With More Lawsuits, Utah Lawmakers Move to Change Their New 'Constitutional Court.'" March 9, 2026. https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/05/lawsuits-push-utah-lawmakers-to-consider-changes-to-new-constitutional-court/
PENTAGON / RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
CBS News. "Pentagon Updates Religious Codes After Criticism From Mormons." June 8, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pentagon-updates-religious-codes-after-criticism-from-mormons/
Deseret News. "Utah Senators Question Pentagon Designation for Latter-day Saints." June 6, 2026. https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/06/06/lee-and-curtis-question-new-pentagon-religious-affiliation-for-latter-day-saints-mormons/
Military.com. "DOD Officially Drops 180 Faiths From Military's Recognized Religion List." June 2026. https://www.military.com/dod-officially-drops-180-faiths-from-militarys-recognized-religion-list
Military.com. "DOD's New Official Recognized Religions List Draws Strong LDS Rebuke." June 2026. https://www.military.com/dods-official-new-recognized-religion-list-draws-strong-lds-rebuke