Tension flares in Utah redistricting fight
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Lawmakers on Utah's redistricting committee clashed in a heated public hearing Wednesday as debate over new congressional maps boiled over.
Friction point: The nearly 3.5-hour meeting turned tense when state Rep. Doug Owens (D-Millcreek), one of two Democrats on the committee, raised concerns about the transparency of the five draft maps created by senior elections analyst Sean Trende, who was hired by Republicans.
- "You just demeaned us as legislators to the public. I will not have that," shot back co-chair state Sen. Scott Sandall (R-Tremonton).
- The confrontation escalated when state Rep. Calvin Roberts (R-Draper) zeroed in on political science professor Daniel Magleby, hired by Democrats to help them design a map.
- Roberts highlighted old social media posts and pressed Magleby on whether he considered the Utah Legislature "authoritarian." Magleby said he didn't recall the posts.
State of play: The GOP-majority Legislative Redistricting Committee met for its second public meeting, where members were expected to vote to advance a new map.
- Yes, but: State lawmakers instead left all proposed maps open for public comment starting tomorrow through Oct. 5.
What we're watching: The Utah Legislature will vote on a final map during an Oct. 6 special session.
- The map must then be sent to Judge Dianna Gibson for approval.
Catch up quick: Gibson last month gave state legislators a short window to come up with new congressional districts after ruling the existing maps gave Republicans undue advantage.
- The new boundaries must comply with Proposition 4, an anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative narrowly approved by voters in 2018.