This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Substitute Utah for New York and Gov. Gary Herbert for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and note how this Oct. 26 New York Times editorial applies:
"New York's legislative redistricting committee is holding public hearings around the state, but the exercise is a sham. The new political districts are being drawn in secret for one overriding purpose: to protect party majorities and incumbents, often for life.
"Gov. Andrew Cuomo should call lawmakers back … to create an independent commission to draw districts properly. …
"If the Legislature resists, Governor Cuomo should quickly name an informal, independent group to create alternative maps that would keep communities together. … He should press for a truly independent commission now to map districts in a straightforward way. Without meaningful reform very soon, New York could be stuck with the morass in Albany for another decade."
Whether in Democratic New York or Republican Utah, gerrymandered maps do a disservice to voters and depress voter turnout (Utah's is next to last). Good government groups, editorial boards and citizens believing in democratic practices have called for independent redistricting commissions.
Such commissions exist in Idaho, Montana and Arizona. When will our citizens insist on this?
Rochelle Kaplan State public affairs chair National Council of Jewish Women
Salt Lake City