Sep 22, 2025 - News

Utah redistricting maps show Dem-heavy SLC split in two

Erin Alberty

A map shows Salt Lake County divided into two possible Congressional districts. — The proposed map for Option E, which groups eastern Salt Lake and Davis counties, and western Salt Lake and Tooele counties. Dots represent public comments. Image via the Utah Legislature.

Utah lawmakers have revealed five maps of proposed Congressional district boundaries to comply with Proposition 4, an anti-gerrymandering ballot measure that voters passed in 2018.

Catch up quick: A Utah judge last month said the existing maps gave Republicans undue advantage and ordered new ones, setting a Thursday deadline for lawmakers to publish a draft for the state legislature to vote on in a special session Oct. 6.

The intrigue: Lawmakers are also considering a new GOP-introduced bill that would create a formula to measure "partisan bias" in future maps, which would determine whether it meets Prop. 4's requirement that a map not "unduly" favor a party or cadidate.

In a hearing Monday, Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla (D-SLC) argued the formula still "favors the majority in the state of Utah."

What's inside: All five map options carve Salt Lake County into two districts rather than four under the existing map.

Many of Utah's Democrats live in Salt Lake, so the new proposals give them a better chance of winning a seat.

The big picture: Democrats need to net three seats in the 2026 midterm elections to win control of the U.S. House.

How it works: Utahns may view the maps online and leave comments on each one:

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Utah redistricting maps show Dem-heavy SLC split in two

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