Voices: We crossed political lines to take on the Utah Legislature — and we won. Now it’s up to lawmakers to show us what representation means.

The courthouse pictures are a record of joy and celebration — people hugging, smiling, laughing and connecting. We, the plaintiffs in Utah’s redistricting lawsuit, had learned of our victory less than an hour earlier and gathered to tell our story to the public. Pictures captured the moment. Our enthusiasm and excitement were palpable.

As we later reflected on the evening, we were struck by something not obvious from the photos, something unique to Utah — a deeper, more meaningful story of gratitude, collaboration, coalition building and cross-partisan cooperation. As a group of citizens — and as leaders of the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government — we have come together to say “no more gerrymandering in our state.”

This was the culmination of an effort in which ideological and partisan differences faded in comparison to our commitment to representative democracy. But what’s next? How can we capitalize on this hopeful, collaborative spirit and take the next step toward better representation?

In this polarized environment, the voters mark the path forward. They did so in 2018 when they passed Proposition 4, creating an Independent Advisory Commission on Redistricting and requiring fair and neutral processes and criteria for implementing maps. The idea was so simple — to diminish partisan politics in the drawing of voting districts.

It has been disheartening to watch the Legislature ignore the will of the people as they discarded maps born of intense compromise and public input. And that is why the LWV of Utah and MWEG were compelled to sue.

Now, after years of wrangling and final court rulings, the Legislature has the opportunity to show voters what representation really means. While we respect our legislators, they now need to earn our trust.

For that, we should revisit the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission’s report to the Legislature in November 2021. The commission and its seven members conducted 15 public meetings around the state, engaging voters in person and online in the process. By the end, the commission had received more than 1,000 comments, processed information from countless submitted maps and taken its task seriously.

The commission reported that “it is our collective legal opinion that the UIRC has performed its task both in compliance with applicable law and in harmony with the public policy objectives set forth in law for the Commission. We believe that the twelve maps recommended by the Commission comply fully with all substantive and procedural requirements under both state and federal law.”

The commission also said it “gives the people an opportunity to feel that their voice has been heard, while simultaneously giving legislators the opportunity to prove they are responsive to the wants and desires of their constituents by selecting maps put forth by the Independent Commission.”

Now the Legislature can show the public just how responsive it can be. While naysayers insist Prop 4 was a plan to seat Democrats in office, it is far from that. The League and MWEG want all voices to be heard. If a competitive district threatens the status quo, then it may also bring out new voters to the table.

In 2024, some 15% of eligible voters in Utah did not cast a ballot. Many say there is no reason to vote with a supermajority in charge. Others find the lack of competition in elections stifling and lacking substance.

In her 79-page opinion, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson made this elegant statement: “Redistricting is not a mere exercise in political line-drawing; it strikes at the very heart of our democracy. The way district boundaries are drawn determines whether the right to vote is meaningful, whether equal protection is honored, and whether the fundamental promises of our state and federal constitutions are upheld. How district lines are drawn can either safeguard representation and ensure accountability by elected representatives or erode public trust, silence voices and weaken the rule of law. Redistricting is among the most critical responsibilities of our government because it ultimately defines how fully people’s voices are heard in the institutions that govern them.”

As plaintiffs, we did not stand on the court steps labeled with party affiliation. You can’t tell from the pictures that we are aligned differently, regularly express differing opinions on various policies and often vote for different politicians. But what has powered this case from the beginning has always been the cross-ideological unity that comes from advocating for core principles grounded in respect for and a desire to uphold the Utah Constitution. We believe in the voice of the people and are willing to step forward to defend Utahns’ right to reform our government. The Utah Constitution gives all Utahns this right.

The joy we showed was not about upholding personal or partisan ambition. We stood as examples of the connections of people who care about our nation, our state, our principles and the right of all people, regardless of political opinion, to elect representatives they choose.

This is a defining moment for the legislature and the voters of Utah. Join us as we collaborate, advocate and raise the voices of Utah voters.

Katharine Biele is the president of the League of Women Voters of Utah.

Emma Petty Addams is the co-executive director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.