As a lifelong Utahn, I especially care about issues that affect everyone. Proposition 4, also known as the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission and Standards Act, was signed into law after Utahns voted on it in 2018. This act was formed to create an unbiased system to create fair districts in the state of Utah, combating the manipulative political practice known as gerrymandering. Following the establishment of this law, Prop 4 has been attacked again and again by Utah’s Republican leaders with one clear goal: staying in power. This comes at the cost of ignoring the vote of their own constituents.
Proposition 4 has been repeatedly — and unconstitutionally — ignored by GOP leaders. Legislators repealed Prop 4 in 2020 and took the power of map drawing away from the appointed committee. They later ignored the commission’s input and enacted their own maps, splitting the city of Holladay into four separate congressional districts, despite Salt Lake County having a predominantly Democratic registered voter population. And now, although the Utah Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that Utah voters have the right to Proposition 4 as it was intended, Republicans are putting forth a direct initiative to ultimately put the issue back on the ballot, in another effort to return map drawing power to themselves.
These actions demonstrate a clear value of power over representation. Gerrymandering is not a new issue, but one that has exploded nationwide under the current administration’s pressure.
When gerrymandering becomes the norm, the voters have lost. We, the people, get to choose our leaders, and every citizen deserves fair representation regardless of party affiliation. I implore Utah legislators and their constituents to oppose any legislation that attacks Proposition 4 and, by extension, intends to lessen the power of the people.
Alison Crookshank, West Bountiful
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