A majority of Utahns think the just-completed process of redrawing legislative districts was UNFAIR.
That's according to an exclusive new KSL-TV poll conducted by Survey USA.
News Specialist John Daley has the facts and figures.
For weeks Democrats have complained that the redistricting process is unfair.
In fact, Democrats like Congressman Jim Matheson are spitting fire.
They accuse Republicans of trying to virtually redraw many of them out office.
Though the GOP majority controlled the process, a lone Republican-- Wayne Harper-- voted against the plan for state House districts--upset by the bitterness on both sides and that early deals were ignored.
Wayne Harper/(R) West Jordan: "THE MESSAGE IS, IS WHEN YOU'RE DISCUSSING, WHEN YOU'RE NEGOTIATING, WHEN YOU'RE DEBATING, YOU TELL SOMEBODY SOMETHING, THEN YOU SHOULD HONOR WHAT YOU COMMITTED TO DO."
Harper thinks the process is basically fair.
Most Utahns DO NOT according to an exclusive Eyewitness News Poll of a thousand people by Survey USA.
Redistricting Proposal:
| Fair |
34% |
| Unfair |
53% |
| Not sure |
13% |
| margin of error |
+/- 4.8% |
We asked those Utahns who are familiar with the redistricting issue if the legislature's proposal for redistricting is fair or unfair?
Of 431 people who said they are familiar with the issue, just 34% say they feel the process is fair.
That compares with 53% who say it is unfair.
Redistricting Unfair?:
| Democrat |
80% |
| Independent |
57% |
| Republican |
36% |
Of those familiar with the issue, 80% of Democrats and 57% of Independents call the process unfair.
Surprisingly, a third of Republicans also believe it was unfair.
Republicans Polled:
The issue has caused some longtime Republicans to speak out--like Laurie Wilson.
She's a BYU communications professor and weekly columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune--angry enough to consider changing parties.
Laurie Wilson/Columnist/BYU Professor: "I'M NOT SURPRISED WITH THOSE NUMBERS. WHAT I'M SURPRISED WITH IS THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THOSE NUMBERS. THAT THEY'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS DON'T SUPPORT WHAT THEY'RE DOING."
One major battle of the redisticting fight is over what should happen to the 2nd district seat currently held by Matheson.
Some lawmakers believe each of Utah's three congressional districts, including the mostly urban 2nd district, should include a mix of urban and rural areas.
Others believe urban and rural voters should belong to different districts.
What Should Happen to Districts?
| Urban/Rural Mix |
48% |
| Different Districts |
42% |
| Not Sure |
10% |
Our poll finds a close split on the issue, with 48% supporting congressional districts with an urban/rural mix.
42% favor a division which puts urban and rural voters in different districts.
The whole redistricting issue could apparently cause others to change parties.
Of 136 Republican and Independent respondents who think the proposal is unfair, a fifth--or 22%-- say they have decided to change their party affliation as a result of this issue.
Oct. 3, 2001--
