County Republican women host initiative-signing, commissioners push back on redistricting

Commissioner Gil Almquist told attendees that Washington County commissioners recently opposed an agenda item that would have renumbered parts of the county’s congressional mapping, telling the club the commission "turned it down" because they believed a judge had taken an outsized role in drawing a map that included a Salt Lake 'doughnut hole.'

"We turned it down," Almquist said, characterizing the action as consistent with efforts to defend the state’s constitutional framework and the intent of Prop 4, an initiative that has been a focal point for county conservative activists. The host of the luncheon applauded the commissioner's remarks and referenced a viral video of a different commissioner expressing similar opposition to the court-imposed map.

The meeting also included a practical mobilization push: the host announced an initiative-signing table in the hall and said Lisa Sandberg was asked to coordinate the Washington County signature effort. "I think we're about halfway there on our signatures for Washington County," the host said, and urged members to check their email for a training on packet collection and the 30-day submission window for initiative packets.

The announcements came during club remarks and before the guest presentation by Corinne Johnson. Club leaders also promoted upcoming federation events at the Capitol on Feb. 9 and Lincoln Day events and discussed ticketing and table reservations.

No formal county action or vote on redistricting took place at the luncheon; commissioners' comments were a report to club members. The meeting concluded with the swearing in of two club officers and a motion to adjourn.