Malena Stevens appointed to Summit County Districting Commission amid election law changes

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – Former Summit County Council Chair Malena Stevens has been appointed to represent unincorporated areas on the newly formed districting commission, just moments after the County Council formally created the group.

The commission was established in response to H.B. 356, a new state law passed earlier this year that requires Summit County to shift from at-large council representation to five geographic districts. The law also mandated that a districting commission be in place by June 1.

Stevens, a Pinebrook resident with a background in public service and four years on the County Council, will join the mayors of the county’s municipalities on the commission. County Clerk Eve Furse will serve as a non-voting member.

Councilmember Roger Armstrong cast the lone vote against both the ordinance creating the commission and Stevens’ appointment but declined to comment.

The legislation has divided local political groups. Republicans argue it improves East Side representation, while Democrats have criticized it as politically motivated and expressed concern about potential gerrymandering.

A proposed district map must be submitted to the County Council by Oct. 1, with a public hearing to follow—though county legal staff has called the hearing effectively symbolic, as the Council will have limited authority to alter the outcome.