Our Mission
Too often in Utah, political power is concentrated in the hands of a few—at the expense of voters.
Gerrymandered maps, efforts to weaken citizen-led initiatives, and reduced accountability are part of a broader pattern: a slow erosion of democratic checks and balances. These shifts—regardless of who’s in charge—threaten fair representation and distort the public’s voice. At Better Boundaries, we’re working to reverse this trend, because voters should choose their leaders, not the other way around.
Problem One
Politicians Are Choosing their Voters
In Utah, the redistricting process is controlled entirely by the state legislature. After every census, lawmakers draw new boundaries for state legislative and congressional districts—often behind closed doors with little transparency or public input.
Following the 2020 Census, the legislature approved new maps in November 2021 that significantly reshaped political representation across the state. Among the most controversial changes was the decision to split Salt Lake County into all four congressional districts, diluting the political influence of urban voters and dividing communities with shared interests.
The adopted maps also:
- Ignored recommendations from an independent redistricting commission
- Were passed in a single-day special session with no opportunity for amendment
Public trust in the process declined sharply as Utahns across the political spectrum raised concerns that the maps were drawn to entrench political power rather than ensure fair representation.
This pattern—where elected officials draw the very districts they run in—has made Utah a clear example of partisan gerrymandering. The result is reduced accountability, diminished voter choice, and communities that are carved up to serve political interests rather than the people who live in them.
Problem Two
The Citizen Initiative Process Is Under Threat
“The legal voters of the State of Utah shall have the power to propose laws and amendments to the Constitution and to enact or reject the same at the polls…”
— Utah Constitution, Article VI, Section 1(2)(a)
Utah’s constitutionally-protected right to citizen-led initiatives—where voters can directly propose and pass laws—has long served as a tool for the public to act when lawmakers won’t. But following a series of high-profile initiatives, including the one that created Utah’s redistricting reform, the legislature has taken deliberate steps to weaken this process.
In 2018, Utah voters approved three major ballot initiatives:
- Proposition 2: Legalizing medical cannabis
- Proposition 3: Expanding Medicaid
- Proposition 4: Creating an independent redistricting commission
All three initiatives passed with strong public support across party lines. But within months, the legislature amended, replaced, or significantly delayed each one.
In the case of Proposition 4, the connection to redistricting reform was direct. After voters created a check on gerrymandering, lawmakers passed SB200 in 2020, stripping the new commission of its authority. This move not only undermined Prop 4, it sent a message that even voter-approved changes were not safe from legislative control.
Since then, the legislature has continued efforts to restrict future initiatives, including the following:
- H.B. 133 (2019) delays implementation of any successful initiative until July 1 of the next year, giving lawmakers a full legislative session to revise or repeal it.
- H.B. 145 (2019) requires petition signers’ names to be posted online and allows signatures to be withdrawn on a rolling basis—making it easier for opponents to identify, target, and pressure individuals to remove their support.
- H.B. 195 (2019) bars filing a “substantially similar” initiative for two years and raises the signature threshold by tying it to active voters.
- Amendment D (2024) would have amended the Utah Constitution to allow the legislature to amend or repeal voter-approved initiatives. The measure was struck down by courts for misleading ballot language and procedural flaws.
- S.B. 73 (2025) requires initiative sponsors to explain how their proposal would be funded, including whether it would raise taxes, and to publish the initiative text in newspapers statewide. These changes increase the cost and complexity of getting citizen-led measures on the ballot.
These efforts reflect a broader pattern. As voters have pushed for reform through the initiative process, lawmakers have responded by making that process harder to use. The citizen initiative was the mechanism voters used to create independent redistricting in Utah. Weakening it directly protects gerrymandered maps by making it harder for the public to change them. That’s why defending this process is central to protecting fair representation.
Problem Three
Voting Access Faces New Challenges
Utah has been a national leader in secure, efficient elections, especially through its vote-by-mail system. For over a decade, Utah has proven that mail-in voting can boost turnout, serve rural communities, and protect election integrity. In fact, Utah was one of the first states to implement universal vote-by-mail statewide, with strong support from both Republican and Democratic leaders.
But that legacy is now under threat.
HB300 (2025) phases out Utah’s universal vote-by-mail system by 2029. Voters will need to opt in to receive a mail ballot instead of receiving one automatically. It also requires voters to provide ID verification on return envelopes, and mandates that ballots be received—not just postmarked—by Election Day. These changes will disproportionately impact rural voters, working families, and seniors who rely on the convenience and accessibility of vote-by-mail.
High signature requirements and short filing windows make it difficult for new candidates to get on the ballot, favoring those with money, time, and connections. These barriers limit voter choice, reduce competition, and make it harder for everyday Utahns and grassroots voices to run. This gives incumbents an advantage and limits options at the ballot box.
Nearly one-third of Utahns are unaffiliated, but closed primaries often prevent them from participating in key races—especially at the local and legislative level. Opt-in processes and party registration deadlines are unclear and vary by party, creating confusion and limiting access.
Utahns across the political spectrum value fair, trusted elections. But as rules change, it’s more important than ever to keep our election system open, accessible, and accountable so every voter has a real chance to participate, no matter where they live or how they vote.
What We’re Doing—And Where We’re Headed
At Better Boundaries, we believe Utahns deserve fair representation, a meaningful vote, and a government that listens. That’s why we’re working every day to advance reforms that strengthen our democracy and push back against efforts that silence voters.
Here’s how we’re taking action:
- Fighting for Fair Maps
We’re challenging gerrymandered districts and standing up for the right of voters, not politicians, to shape Utah’s political boundaries. Our legal victories have helped protect the power of redistricting reform and hold lawmakers accountable. - Defending the Citizen Initiative Process
We’re building coalitions to stop attempts to weaken the initiative process—from defeating harmful constitutional amendments to tracking new legislative threats in real time. When voters take action, their voices should be respected—not rolled back. - Protecting Access to the Ballot
We’re speaking out against laws that make it harder to vote or run for office. We educate voters, track changes, and advocate for policies that expand, not restrict participation. - Building a Better Future
Through public education, advocacy, and policy reform, we’re working toward a system where:- Fair maps serve voters—not politicians
- A balanced, protected initiative process respects voter voices
- Elections are accessible, secure, and accountable
- Leaders reflect the people they represent
This work won’t happen overnight, but with Utahns from every background standing up for fair representation, we’re getting closer to a democracy that works for all of us.
Learn more about the work we’re actively leading to protect voter power and fair representation.
