Millcreek, Utah, with its population of 65,000, has unexpectedly become the focal point in the state’s prolonged debate over partisan redistricting. This suburban area, nestled just southeast of Salt Lake City, finds itself uniquely divided among all four of Utah’s congressional districts.

This peculiar partitioning of Millcreek highlights the state’s ongoing challenge to enforce the nonpartisan redistricting maps that voters strongly favored. Back in 2018, a ballot measure was passed, calling for these objective congressional boundaries. Yet, despite clear voter support, these maps have yet to be put into practice.

The division in Millcreek is so pronounced that residents experience the crossover between different congressional districts in their everyday activities, such as when patronizing local businesses.

The city’s division means residents can cross different congressional districts simply by visiting nearby businesses.

Voters approved nonpartisan maps in 2018, still not implemented

A drive-in restaurant sits in Utah’s 4th Congressional District, while a 7-Eleven across the street falls in the 3rd District. A Starbucks on one corner occupies the 2nd District, and traveling a mile and a half east leads to the 1st District.

“It comes down to how you’re represented,” said Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries, a group advocating for redistricting reform. “If the boundaries are drawn in such a way that your voice can’t be heard, that’s a problem.”

The Republican-controlled legislature drew maps that dispersed Democratic voters across multiple districts, a practice critics call gerrymandering.

Critics say gerrymandering dilutes Democratic voter representation

A’Lissa Olson, a Millcreek voter and member of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, called it “a blatant attempt to try to diminish the vote of our community.”

However, Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini sees an advantage in the unusual arrangement, noting that having four congressional representatives gives the city more opportunities to lobby for federal grants and secure letters of recommendation for funding applications.

Millcreek residents have taken to social media to highlight their redistricting predicament, creating Instagram videos documenting journeys through all four congressional districts within city limits.

The state legislature faces a Nov. 10 deadline to produce maps complying with the voter-approved law.