Utahns spoke clearly in 2018 when they passed Proposition 4 to curb partisan gerrymandering. Last month, almost seven years later, Judge Dianna Gibson honored that mandate, ordering the legislature to redraw congressional districts so they comply with the voter-approved standards.
This is a win for the people of Utah. It is not “disenfranchisement” to follow the rules voters enacted; it is called democracy. Our Legislature should now finally respect that decision. Judge Gibson is simply upholding the people’s constitutional right to reform their government — and to have that reform mean something in practice.
If lawmakers continue to fight Utahns in court, then we should loudly protest — by contacting our legislators, submitting public comments, showing up at hearings and, ultimately, voting for leaders who respect fair representation.
Finally, we should also generously support the three organizations — Better Boundaries, the League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government — who fought tirelessly for democracy on behalf of all Utahns.
Let’s celebrate our win in the battle against gerrymandered congressional maps in Utah. And then, let’s gird ourselves for the next battle in the war to make every vote cast in Utah truly count.
Dianne Anderson
Millcreek