Mormon women group influences Utah congressional redistricting
A group called Mormon Women for Ethical Government played a key role in redistricting Utah's congressional seats. Their efforts aimed to promote fairer representation in the state's political map. The involvement highlights growing civic engagement among Mormon women in politics.
In a notable development in Utah politics, the organization Mormon Women for Ethical Government contributed significantly to the recent redistricting of the state's congressional districts. According to NPR reporting on October 4, 2025, the group advocated for ethical standards in the map-drawing process, pushing for boundaries that better reflect diverse communities across Utah.
The redistricting followed the 2020 census and addressed population shifts in the rapidly growing state. Mormon Women for Ethical Government, founded to encourage principled participation in governance, mobilized members to submit public comments and testify at hearings. Their work focused on preventing gerrymandering and ensuring competitive districts, particularly in areas like Salt Lake County and rural regions.
Key figures in the group, including executive director Emily Jensen, emphasized the importance of transparency. 'We believe that ethical redistricting strengthens democracy and upholds the values of fairness and integrity,' Jensen stated in the NPR article. The effort gained traction amid broader national debates on electoral maps, with Utah's process overseen by an independent commission established in 2018.
While the final maps were approved in late 2021, the group's sustained involvement has been credited with influencing adjustments that made the 2nd and 4th districts more balanced. No major legal challenges have arisen from the process, though observers note ongoing scrutiny from both parties. This case underscores the increasing role of faith-based women's groups in shaping policy, providing a model for ethical advocacy in other states.