I am a 50-year resident of Utah, and the 2021 redistricting process will mark the sixth time I’ve observed it. This is the process that establishes the political boundaries for our Congressional districts, Utah Senate and House districts and State School Board districts.
In 2006, I was privileged to be an observer at a national nonpartisan conference in Salt Lake City hosted by the Hinckley Institute, where I listened to many viewpoints on the need for redistricting reform. I am a passionate believer in citizen involvement in governmental processes and gathered signatures for Proposition 4 for the 2018 ballot. Because of that, I am excited that the Utah Legislature’s Senate Bill 200, the Prop 4 initiative compromise, will for the first time have a seven-member advisory redistricting commission to draw districts to present to the Legislature for consideration.
Still fresh in my mind are the scenes shown on national TV of then-U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s 2017 constituent meeting. Citizens in Salt Lake County were frustrated because of the 2011 redistricting, better described as gerrymandering, done by the Legislature in a closed Republican caucus. Their political voices were divided into three of the four Utah congressional districts and they felt that their elected representative did not listen to their concerns. That frustration ultimately resulted in the Prop 4 initiative process.
Members of the commission are chosen by our political leaders, with Gov. Spencer Cox choosing the chair. Sens. Jerry Stevenson and Karen Mayne, leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, each appoint one. Speaker of the House Brad Wilson and House Minority Leader Brian King also will each appoint one. Sen. Stevenson and Speaker Brad Wilson will appoint an independent member as will Sen. Mayne and Rep. King.
The law makes no mention of how these individuals will go about choosing the commission members. Stunningly, there has been little publicity to inform Utah citizens who wish to be considered as commissioners. The Republican and independent members of the 2011 California redistricting commission told Utah citizens in November 2019 that two things are crucial for for an advisory commission to be successful: The commission should “look like Utah,” and commission members should be individuals who listen to the public.
It is a tall order to appoint a seven-member commission to “look like Utah” and represent minorities, geographical areas, age and gender. The hectic activities of the 2021 legislative session make it even more difficult to meet the Feb. 1 deadline. Given that paucity of information, I hope that many Utahns will consider applying so that our first redistricting committee process will reflect Utah and be a success.
Let us hope that many citizens apply to demonstrate to the Utah Legislature that they want to be involved in the drawing of our districts.
Gigi Brandt
Gigi Brandt, Salt Lake City, taught social studies in Illinois and Massachusetts and is the League of Women Voters of Utah’s redistricting and money in politics adviser.