Political Representation, Boards and Commissions, & Civic Engagement/Advocacy

Within the Community Engagement category of the Bolder Way Forward is the “Political Representation, Boards and Commissions, & Civic Engagement/Advocacy” spoke. This area of focus includes three working groups. First, political representation focuses on electing women for public office at the municipal, district, county, state, and national levels. Second, civic representation centers on increasing the number and percentages of women on state and local boards, commissions, and committees. And third, the work in this spoke will also focus on expanding civic education and increasing engagement and advocacy among the women of Utah. To learn more, listen to the spoke leaders discuss the work on this 15-minute podcast.

Spoke Leaders

Bold Vision & Goals

To make Utah a place where more girls and women can thrive, the Political Representation, Boards and Commissions, & Civic Engagement/Advocacy spoke leaders and partners have crafted the vision and goals below. Spoke leadership and UWLP team members are currently working to collect baseline data that will assist in adding numbers to the changes we want to see by 2026 and 2030.

Vision: Have equal representation of women and men in political roles, boards and commissions, and as advocates in all spaces. 

Goals: 

1. Increase female candidates and elected officials in Utah.
   1. Increase female candidate representation in municipal elections 12.0% by 2026 and a total of 25.0% by 2030. [Metric forthcoming]
   2. Increase female elected officials in municipal and county elections.
      1. From 23.8% of mayors being women in 2022 to 28.8% in 2026 and 33.8% in 2030 (a total increase of 25 women). [Metric]
      2. From 29.8% of city/town council seats being held by women in 2022 to 34.8% in 2026 and 39.8% in 2030 (a total increase of 118 women). [Metric]
      3. Maintain parity of school district boards (approximately 54.5% of school district board members are currently women). [Metric]
      4. From 20.7% of county commissioners/council members being held by women in 2023 to 25.7% in 2026 and 30.7% in 2030 (a total increase of 11 women).
   3. Increase female elected officials in state-level positions.
      1. Maintain parity of the State Board of Education elected seats (66.7% of state school board members are currently women). [Metric]
      2. From 20.7% of state senate seats being held by women in 2023 to 25.7% in 2026 and 30.7% in 2030 (a total increase of 3 women). [Metric]
      3. From 28.0% of state house of representative seats being held by women in 2023 to 33.0% in 2026 and 38.0% in 2030 (a total increase of 7-8 women). [Metric]
      4. From 20.0% of executive roles being held by women in 2023 to 40.0% by 2030 (a total increase of 1 woman). [Metric]
2. Increase women appointed to Utah state boards and commissions from 32.7% in 2019 to 37.7% in 2026 and 42.7% in 2030 (a total increase of about 300 women). [Metric]
3. Foster a 15.0% increase in women engagement and membership rates within advocacy and civic engagement organizations by 2030. [Data forthcoming: Tracking # of women across organizations.]
4. Build the pipeline of future female leaders and advocates by increasing youth engagement. [Data forthcoming: Tracking young women engaged in youth city councils, student councils, teen center ambassadors, Girls Lobby, etc.]
5. Decrease the percentage of Utahns that believe a woman's service in a political role would negatively impact her family. [Data forthcoming]
6. Increase the percentage of Utahns that believe women are well suited for elected political positions. [Data forthcoming]
7. Increase the percentage of Utahns that understand how to get involved in civic activities. [Data forthcoming]
8. Increase the percentage of Utahns that engage in efforts that are important to the wellbeing of their community. [Data forthcoming]

Partners