In a state known for its vibrant communities and deep-rooted volunteer spirit, Utah women are showing up. They’re voting, volunteering, serving their communities—and yet, when it comes to being elected into positions of power, they remain strikingly underrepresented.
The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) recently released a report highlighting the civic engagement and voting trends of women in the Beehive State. While the findings show encouraging signs of participation and public concern, they also reveal a troubling disconnect between civic involvement and political representation—especially for women.
Utah Women Are Active Citizens
Utah women are participating in the democratic process at high rates when it comes to voting and volunteer work. In 2024, women ranked 29th out of 51 states and districts for voter turnout, a solid position that underscores growing awareness and involvement. While not leading the nation, this number suggests a population that’s steadily engaging with elections.
The issues Utah women prioritized in the 2024 election reflect pressing concerns shared across communities:
Housing affordability Feeling heard by political leaders Rising inflation Government overreach
Kolene Anderson, co-author of the report and guest on KPCW’s “Local News Hour,” noted that Utahns—especially women—excel in volunteerism, a key aspect of civic engagement. “Utahns in general show up for volunteer opportunities and women especially,” Anderson said. “They are very willing to volunteer in official capacities.”
In fact, a 2023 study by the Cicero Group found that Utahns donated five times more than the lowest-ranking state in charitable contributions and volunteered twice as many hours as residents of the lowest-ranking state for volunteerism. These numbers reflect a state culture that values community care, mutual support, and service—areas where women lead in both numbers and effort.
The Representation Gap in Utah Politics
Despite this deep civic involvement, Utah lags “far behind” in gender equality when it comes to women holding elected office. The most striking statistic? Utah has never elected a female governor or U.S. senator.
The February 2025 report from the UWLP paints a clear picture: women make up 50% of Utah’s population but hold only about 20% of seats in the state legislature. That is a significant gap, one that has real consequences for policy and community development.
“When only 20% of the legislative positions are filled by women, there’s a gap in representation,” said Anderson. “And that matters—not just for women, but for Utah families.”
The lack of women in public office is not merely symbolic. Research shows that diverse leadership results in more inclusive, balanced policymaking. When women’s voices are absent from decision-making tables, issues that disproportionately affect them—like healthcare access, childcare, and family leave—are often under-prioritized.
All-Male Councils Are Still the Norm
In local governance, the disparity becomes even more visible. The February 2025 report reveals that Utah has no all-female city councils, but it has 50 all-male ones. Of these, only 12 have a female mayor, while the remaining 38 are entirely male—from councilmembers to mayors.
A closer look at Wasatch Back communities gives the numbers even sharper detail:
Summit County:
Oakley: Fully male council and mayor Francis & Henefer: One of four councilmembers is female Kamas: Three women on the council Coalville: Two women on the council Park City: The county’s only female mayor and just one woman on a five-member city council
Wasatch County:
Heber City & Midway: Each has one female councilmember among five Hideout: Two of four councilmembers are women Wallsburg: One of three councilmembers is female Notably, Heber, Midway, and Wallsburg each have female mayors
County Councils:
Summit County: Two of five councilmembers are women Wasatch County: One of seven councilmembers is female Across Utah, women hold about one-third of county council positions and just under 21% of county commissioner roles.
Interestingly, women are better represented in certain administrative positions. Over 62% of county clerks and nearly 66% of county treasurers are women. But when it comes to policy-making roles, the gender gap remains stark.
Why Representation Matters
Having more women in elected office is not just about fairness or optics. It’s about improving outcomes. Research consistently shows that women in government:
Prioritize education, healthcare, and family policy Are more likely to reach across the aisle Are often more responsive to constituents
Moreover, female political leaders serve as role models, encouraging younger generations to see themselves as changemakers and leaders. This matters in a state where cultural and institutional barriers have historically limited women’s visibility in politics.
The Path Forward
Utah has already proven that its women are willing to lead—through community service, nonprofit leadership, education, and business. The challenge now is to translate that civic power into electoral power.
So how can the state move toward more balanced representation?
Mentorship and training programs for aspiring female candidates Public awareness campaigns highlighting the need for gender-balanced leadership Encouraging political parties to recruit and support more women Creating family-friendly legislative practices (such as childcare support and flexible schedules)
The Utah Women & Leadership Project continues to provide data-driven insights and policy recommendations to help the state close its gender gap. But lasting change will require collective effort—from voters, elected officials, and communities at large.
Conclusion
Utah women are deeply engaged in the democratic process. They vote, volunteer, and show up for their communities in ways that are both meaningful and measurable. But until they are equally represented in the halls of power—from city councils to the statehouse—their voices remain partially unheard.
It’s time for Utah to move from being a leader in civic participation to being a leader in political equity. The numbers are clear. The will is there. Now, the state must rise to the challenge and make gender-balanced leadership not just an ideal—but a reality.
