Iowa's redistricting process works

The Gazette
July 1, 2009

Don't tinker with something that works. That clearly applies to the redistricting process for legislative and congressional districts that Iowa uses every 10 years, as required after the national census is completed.

The census numbers will be released next year, and soon after, state legislators will review proposals and eventually approve a plan. Thankfully, Iowa's unique process has proved its worth. We also were glad to hear legislative leaders say Monday that they have no intention of making any major changes.

The Democrats control the House and Senate and might have the numbers to force a change. But that's not going to happen, House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, told a reporter. And in the past, when Republicans held the majority, they also stood by the system. "Iowans appreciate the way it's been handled and history has shown that both parties follow it," House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said.

Iowa is the only state that relies on a non-partisan agency to draw up new district boundaries based on population shifts. The Legislative Service Agency, a staff of legal experts, handles that task.

And since 1981, it has worked pretty well overall.

When the service agency submits its maps, the Legislature can only approve or reject them as is. If the first proposal is rejected, the agency draws up another set. If the second round is turned down, a third is submitted and this is the point where lawmakers can make their changes.

However, they must come up with a complete amendment because any single change in a district causes a ripple effect.

Only once has the process gone to a third round. In 1981, the Legislature approved the agency's revised plan.

The governor must sign off on whatever the Legislature approves. If a new plan is not in place by Sept. 15, 2011, then the Iowa Supreme Court would take over. That's never happened.

The process, though not perfect, eliminates much of the political bickering and maneuvering other states experience in their more partisan approaches.

That was demonstrated in 2001. After a regular session marked by a high level of partisan fighting over a number of issues, Iowa legislators came back for a special session and approved a second-round map and a few other bills -- all in one day. Sure, there was some disgruntlement on both sides of the aisle, but in the end, all legislative leaders and then-Gov. Tom Vilsack supported the plan.

The importance of a fair, objective redistricting process can't be understated. It affects voters and candidates, sometimes in dramatic fashion. We'd say our redistricting process is just as significant as our state's first-in-the-nation presidential caucus status. Maybe more because it affects residents every election.

Let's not tinker.