It only happens every 10 years.
With the release of 2020 census data last week, lawmakers across the nation are beginning redistricting processes to help decide who represents Americans — all the way from Congress to state legislatures to school boards.
How decisions are made on important issues that impact day-to-day life starts here.
In Utah, it began Monday at 11 a.m. at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City, when the state’s Legislative Redistricting Committee held its first of 19 public hearings over the next three months.
That 20-member committee made up of 15 Republicans and five Democrats will field proposals from a newly created independent redistricting commission and the public for what the boundaries of Utah’s political districts should be for the next decade.
In short? It’s time to draw some maps. Let’s get to it.
What is redistricting?
Every decade, the Utah Legislature redraws political boundaries based on the results of the most recent population data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Utah officials received that raw data on Thursday.
Now begins the task of using that data to determine the size, shape and boundary lines of Utah’s four congressional districts, 29 state Senate seats, 75 state House seats and state school board districts.
Leading up to this year’s redistricting, Utah voters in 2018 narrowly approved a ballot initiative calling for an independent redistricting commission to draw the new maps, seeking to prevent partisan gerrymandering. The proposition, named Better Boundaries, passed by less than 1 percentage point.
In 2020, the Legislature struck a deal with Better Boundaries backers, designating the independent redistricting commission as an adviser to state lawmakers, who will ultimately decide what maps get approved. Lawmakers sought the compromise to preserve the spirit of the ballot initiative while not overriding the Legislature’s constitutional duties to oversee redistricting.
While the independent redistricting commission will advise the Legislature, lawmakers aren’t required to adopt its maps. The Legislative Redistricting Committee is required, however, to hold a public hearing to consider up to three sets of maps drawn by that commission.
The Legislature will consider input from the Legislative Redistricting Committee, the independent redistricting commission and members of the public.
Why does redistricting matter?
Representation matters.
That’s why Rex Facer, chairman of the independent redistricting commission, says every Utahn should care about the process that’s about to begin.
“It will determine who they have as representatives over the next 10 years, both at the national level in Congress, but also at the state House and Senate level as well as the state school board,” he said.
Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, the House chairman of the Legislative Redistricting Committee, said it matters because it’s deciding how Utahns’ will get “fair representation.”
“We’re setting out your representation, your voice,” Ray said. “It’s important to be involved so you have a say on who your representation is. ... So that you’re not the only lone voice for your beliefs.”
In a time when distrust of government is more pervasive than ever, Facer said Utahns can have more confidence in their government if they understand and participate in redistricting.
“People have concerns. And when they have concerns, it creates distrust,” he said. “We want to minimize that distrust and help people have confidence that their government really is representing them and is there for them.”
How to get involved
Want to draw a map? You can submit one using an online tool on redistricting.utah.gov/maps. The link to submit drawings will be activated next week. You can also use a mapping tool on the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission’s website, uirc.utah.gov.
You can also participate in the process by attending one of the Legislative Redistricting Committee’s 19 public hearings scheduled in September, October and November throughout the state.
Past commission meeting minutes and audio has also been posted on the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission’s website at uirc.utah.gov.
Public meeting schedule
- Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Capitol, 350 State St., Salt Lake City.
- Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. at the Capitol.
- Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. in Grantsville.
- Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. in Ogden.
- Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in Logan.
- Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. in Orem.
- Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in Rose Park, Salt Lake City.
- Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. in Cedar City.
- Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. in St. George.
- Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. in Richfield.
- Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. in Moab.
- Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. in Price.
- Oct. 8 at 10 a.m in Vernal.
- Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. in Park City.
- Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. in Clearfield.
- Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol.
- Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol.
- Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Capitol.
- Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. at the Capitol.
Dates and times may change.
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