Utah’s Redistricting Debate: Who Should Draw the Maps?

SALT LAKE CITY — The question of who should draw congressional maps in Utah remains contentious as state lawmakers, judges, and voters navigate the complexities of redistricting. The Utah Supreme Court recently ruled that lawmakers overstepped their authority when they amended Proposition 4, a 2018 initiative aimed at establishing nonpartisan guidelines for congressional districting and creating an independent commission to recommend new maps to the legislature.

The ongoing debate intensified after 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson rejected a congressional map proposed by the legislature, which critics alleged was drawn to benefit Republican incumbents. Instead, she favored an alternative map submitted by plaintiffs challenging the legislature’s decision. This alternative would create a district in northern Salt Lake County likely to lean Democratic, contrasting sharply with the current situation where all four of Utah’s congressional seats are held by Republicans.

In response to the ruling, the state legislature convened a special session on March 15, 2024, to postpone the filing deadline for congressional candidates until March, allowing time for their appeal of Gibson’s decision to progress through the courts.

Voter Sentiment and Legislative Resistance

Despite the push for reform, leading Republicans in the legislature have resisted involving an independent commission in the redistricting process. They argue that it is not only their constitutional duty but also reflects what the voters desire. House Speaker Mike Schultz of Hooper recently shared a poll indicating that a significant majority of Utahns prefer their elected representatives to handle redistricting rather than the courts.

The poll, commissioned by the conservative Sutherland Institute, revealed that only 8% of voters believe judges should select congressional maps. However, the findings also indicated a more nuanced perspective. When asked to choose from seven options regarding who should determine district boundaries, the last three categories—county-level elected officials, state-level elected officials, and bodies elected by the public—collectively garnered 71% of the responses. None of the other options exceeded 10%.

Leah Murray, director of the Walker Institute of Politics at Weber State University, noted that the poll effectively elicited honest responses from voters without triggering partisan biases. This suggests that while the public may favor legislative control over redistricting, there is also significant support for broader involvement beyond the legislature.

The implications of the redistricting process extend beyond political maneuvering; they directly influence the representation of Utah’s diverse communities. As the legal appeals unfold, the discussions around who should wield the power to shape electoral boundaries are likely to continue. The resolution of this issue will not only affect the upcoming elections but could also reshape the political landscape in Utah for years to come.