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New district lines bring some voter confusion ahead of Utah primary
Jun 8, 2022, 5:05 PM | Updated: Jun 9, 2022, 1:22 pm
This map shows the new lines of Utah's four congressional districts, which converge in the Millcreek area. Some voters were surprised when they received their primary ballots to learn they no longer lived in the same congressional district they've been in for the last ten years. Screen grab: https://citygate.utleg.gov/legdistricting/comments/plan/156/12
The office reports that county clerks — mainly in Salt Lake and Utah counties — are getting lots of calls from voters thinking something is wrong with their ballot.
“Voters who knew what their old (state) Senate and House districts were (are) confused,” said Deputy Director Shelley Jackson. “The same candidates weren’t showing up on their primary ballot or different numbers were showing up.”
New Utah district lines create primary ballot confusion
In addition to the new lines, Utah district numbers look different than they did before. There are now 75 House districts in Utah; they start in the northern part of the state and work their way down to number 75 in southern Utah.
Adding to possible confusion, Utahns will be voting in primary elections this month to elect their new representatives. Those people will represent them starting January 1, 2023. They are still represented by their current ones through the end of this year.
Related: See the new district lines for Utah Senate and Utah State Board of Education
Utahns – you might have noticed that some of your voting districts are new this year. The new redistricting maps may have changed your boundaries.
Your ballot will reflect those changes. pic.twitter.com/mfQ2iMIXX6
— Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) June 8, 2022
“The area of the district might be similar,” said Utah County Clerk, Josh Daniels. “But the numbering convention could be different. So there could be a lot of confusion.”
Utah’s new four corners
All four congressional districts in Utah now converge along 3900 South in Millcreek. Parts of Congressional District 2 now sit inside Congressional District 1. The 4th District moved further north into Salt Lake County, and south into Sanpete County.
State elections officials also say state House, Senate, or school board lines could cut through neighborhoods. In some places, the new district lines mean neighbors find themselves in different Utah districts.
Different districts, new names
“There are many Utah voters who have a different member of Congress than they’ve had for the last 10 years,” Daniels said. “You may be voting for names you’ve never seen before or that you’re not familiar with.”
Redistricting happens once every 10 years when new census numbers come out.
You can check your new district numbers at vote.utah.gov.
Read more:
- Utah group considers lawsuit over congressional redistricting map
- Opinion: The high-stake musical chairs game of redistricting, explained
