What do voters want from redistricting?
Utah voters seem to clearly oppose the idea of judges deciding on congressional maps, preferring that the elected officials they choose make redistricting decisions. On the other hand, voters also seem to reject the idea that the Utah Legislature should have the sole authority over redistricting – preferring instead that a commission assist the Legislature in one form or another in making that policy decision.
In short, Utah voters seem to favor a commission similar to the one created by Prop. 4, but without the judicial intervention created by Prop. 4. However, this policy outcome is arguably precluded by the Utah Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature, since the ability to sue to enforce Prop. 4 would likely be determined to be a critical element of the Prop. 4 ballot initiative.
Conclusion: A Path Forward
The survey results seem to point to the following process as the most viable path toward producing what voters say they want to see in redistricting: (1) repeal Prop. 4 and then, (2) enact via legislative means a redistricting commission of some kind to assist the Legislature in redistricting.
The first step in this process is being undertaken by a proposed ballot initiative to repeal Proposition 4. The second step has, as of yet, not been contemplated publicly. As both lawmakers and judges continue to debate what the people intended when they enacted Prop. 4, they should keep in mind what voters themselves report in survey research.
