Why the hurry for a fourth seat?

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and other Utah leaders need to explain their eagerness to cut deals in order to pass a bill through Congress that would grant Utah a fourth House seat. The bill is getting a lot of attention these days because it also, as a compromise, would grant the District of Columbia a House seat.

An explanation would be nice, because it seems obvious that Utah is destined to get its fourth seat, and perhaps a fifth, through the normal process that will follow the 2010 Census. It also seems obvious that the idea of Congress granting representation to the District of Columbia raises a thorny constitutional question that, assurances from the bill's proponents not withstanding, seems to open the entire compromise to a legal challenge — one that might drag the process beyond 2010.

Some in Congress are saying they would like the compromise, in any case, to be enacted after 2010, which would destroy any strategic advantage for Utah. Even under the best scenario, the state would gain its fourth seat only two to four years sooner than otherwise — and under the best situation, the state still would make up only about 0.9 percent of the House.

So what's the hurry?

We don't doubt the intentions or sincerity of Huntsman and others who support this effort. But the driving force should be good government policies, not haste.

Huntsman has presented a map suggesting how the state could be divided into four districts. Significantly, this map would give the state's lone Democrat in Congress, Jim Matheson, a district that is heavily Democratic — a conciliatory gesture meant to satisfy the fears of those who worry Utah would find a way to turn two Republican representatives into four.

But with all due respect, this is not the proper way to draw political boundaries. Nor, for that matter, would a map drawn today necessarily bear any resemblance to the map a GOP majority in the state Legislature would redraw after the 2010 Census.

The best way to ensure fair representation for all Utahns is to establish a bipartisan redistricting commission, with equal representation, which would draw lines based on something other than a political land-grab. In a state such as Utah, where one party dominates, this is especially important. A redistricting commission wouldn't change Utah's preference for Republican candidates. What it might do is allow more areas with natural boundaries to elect people who understand that area's unique needs.

Instead, Utahns are bound to see more strange boundary contortions as Republicans use computers to figure out exactly how best to draw both state and congressional districts to their greatest advantage.