Every ten years, city council districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each city council member represents about the same number of constituents. Redistricting is based on data from the U.S. Census, which was released in August 2021. The Midvale City Council is responsible (per Utah State Code) for setting the city council member districts by May 16, 2022.

Using state requirements and best practices, Midvale City staff prepared several redistricting map options, which the Midvale City Council narrowed to two for public consideration. Staff sought public comments on the initial maps using the City’s online engagement platform, as well as hosting two open houses. On April 5, 2022, the City Council held a public hearing to discuss the redistricting map options and review the comments provided by the public. Following the public hearing and deliberation by the City Council, staff was instructed to attempt to prepare additional redistricting options. Due to several limiting factors, developing viable variations of the redistribution maps proved unsuccessful. The limiting factors included:

• City Council districts must be substantially equal in population
• Districts may not bisect voting precincts established by Salt Lake County
• Districts must be contiguous and reasonably compact
• Districts must be drawn to create five districts
• City Council Members must remain in their district

 On April 19, 2022, the City Council approved a resolution to adopt City Council District Map #2. 

Community Engagement

• Town Hall meetings were held on March 15, 2022, at Midvale City Hall, and March 23, 2022, at Hillcrest High School.

• The Redistricting Survey was available online from March 10, 2022, through April 3, 2022. 

• A Public Hearing will be held at the April 5, 2022, City Council meeting. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at Midvale City Hall (7505 S Holden Street, Midvale) in the Council Chambers. The agenda packet is available to review online.
• The City Council will discuss adopting a New Midvale City Council District Map at the April 19, 2022, City Council meeting. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at Midvale City Hall (7505 S Holden Street, Midvale) in the Council Chambers. The agenda packet is available to review online.

What is Redistricting?

Every ten years, city council districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each city council member represents about the same number of constituents. Redistricting is based on data from the U.S. Census, which was released in August 2021. The Midvale City Council is responsible (per Utah State Code) for setting the city council member districts. 

Why is Redistricting Important?

Different neighborhoods of the city grow at different rates. Over time, city council districts become unequal, and redistricting is required to ensure there is a substantially equal number of residents in each district. Redistricting determines which neighborhoods and communities are grouped into a city council district for purposes of electing a city council member.

What criteria will be used when drawing council district lines?

District lines will be adopted using the following criteria:

1. Substantially equal in population. This will be accommodated by putting a substantially similar number of residents in each district.
2. Geographically compact. In general, constituents within a district should live as near to one another as practicable.
3. Contiguous. All areas within a district must be physically adjacent
4. Boundaries shall not be drawn for purposes of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
5. Boundaries need to correspond with the boundaries of the voting precincts.
6. Try keeping the existing districts substantially intact.
   

What is a precinct?

Each city, county, or geographic area is divided by address into precincts to assign polling places and gather votes. Salt Lake County reduced the number of precincts in Midvale City from 27 to 24 as part of the process to redraw precincts throughout the County. The city council does not have the authority to establish, divide, abolish, or change precincts.

What do the existing city council districts look like? 

What do the proposed maps look like? 

Option #1

The numbers listed on the map indicate the number of registered voters. 

Option #2 

The numbers listed on the map indicate the number of registered voters.