The Utah Republican Party is actively pursuing a repeal of a 2018 ballot initiative that established an independent redistricting commission and prohibited partisan gerrymandering. This week marked the first status update on their efforts, revealing that the GOP has garnered 9% of the signatures needed to move forward with the repeal process. The initiative, which was passed by voters five years ago, aimed to create a fairer and more transparent system for drawing electoral district boundaries. The establishment of the independent commission was intended to minimize partisan influence in the redistricting process, ensuring that districts are drawn based on population and community interests rather than political advantage. As part of the repeal effort, the Utah Republican Party has mobilized volunteers and resources to gather the necessary signatures from registered voters. The goal is to collect enough valid signatures to trigger a referendum that would allow voters to decide on the repeal during a future election. The party believes that returning control of the redistricting process to the legislature will lead to more accountable representation. The redistricting commission has been a point of contention since its inception, with debates surrounding its effectiveness and the impact it has had on political representation in the state. Proponents of the commission argue that it has succeeded in reducing partisan gerrymandering and has provided a more equitable approach to district mapping. In contrast, critics, including members of the GOP, contend that the commission's work has not aligned with the interests of certain political groups and that the process has led to challenges in accurately representing the state's diverse population. As the signature collection progresses, the attention on this issue is likely to intensify, with both sides preparing for a vigorous public discourse on the merits and drawbacks of the independent redistricting commission. The outcome of this repeal initiative could have significant implications for Utah's political landscape and how future electoral boundaries are determined.