Utah Dems sue for redistricting records

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Democrats have filed a lawsuit seeking records from year’s redistricting process. 

Democrats have argued they shouldn’t have to pay a bill for more than $9,000 to get the documents, saying the state should give up the records without charge.

Utah Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis says in a statement Wednesday that Democrats, the media and the public "are being locked out of our government."

Legislative officials say it took 55 employees a combined 506 hours to compile the records.

Republicans say Democrats want to use the documents for a lawsuit challenging how lawmakers handled redistricting. Democrats accuse Republicans who control the Legislature of conspiring behind closed doors to redraw state and congressional districts.

Utah Republicans have said the Democrats rejected an offer by the GOP to pay the bill.