Utah Constitution Article 09 Congressional and Legislative Apportionment
Utah Constitution – Article IX: Congressional and Legislative Apportionment – Summary
Article IX of the Utah Constitution outlines the process and principles for apportioning congressional and legislative districts in the state. Here's a clear breakdown of its key provisions:
🔹 Section 1: Apportionment Based on Population
The Utah Legislature is required to divide the state into legislative and congressional districts.
Population equality is the primary basis: Each district must be as nearly equal in population as practicable.
Apportionment must follow the results of the United States decennial census.
🔹 Section 2: Legislative Redistricting
Applies to State Senate and House of Representatives districts.
Redistricting must occur after each U.S. census to reflect population shifts.
The legislature has the authority and responsibility to enact redistricting plans by law.
🔹 Section 3: Congressional Redistricting
Deals with Utah’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Utah Legislature also controls the apportionment of congressional districts.
Similar to state legislative districts, congressional districts must be based on population equality.
🔹 Section 4: Implementation and Timing
Redistricting must be done in the first session after the census data is available.
The new districts apply for the next regular election.
🔹 No Independent Commission
Utah does not mandate an independent redistricting commission in its constitution.
Although Utah passed a nonbinding advisory redistricting commission (via Proposition 4 in 2018), final authority remains with the Legislature.
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