Iowa releases new congressional, state district maps

     On Thursday, Sept. 16, the State of Iowa released new redistricting maps outlining the proposed Iowa House, Iowa Senate, and U.S. Congressional districts. The new maps and boundary lines were determined based on the 2020 U.S. Census data.

     The Census determined that the total population of Iowa as of April 1, 2020, is 3,190,369. Based on that figure, the ideal population of each of Iowa’s four congressional districts is 797,592. For each of Iowa’s 50 state senate districts, the ideal population size is 63,807, and for the 100 state representative districts, the ideal population size is 31,904.

     Following the release of the redistricting maps, the TRAC (Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission) took public comment via three virtual hearings on Sept. 20, Sept. 21, and Sept. 22.

     With the release of the maps, some state and U.S. legislative districts could upset some 2022 campaigns.

     For instance, the entirety of Jones County lies within Iowa House District 90, along with the western portion of Cedar County. Before, Jones County sat within House Districts 96 (Lee Hein) and 58 (Steve Bradley).

     Under the proposed senate map, Jones County lies within Iowa Senate District 45, along with all of Cedar and Clinton counties, and northern half of Scott County. Before, Jones County was part of both districts 48 (Dan Zumbach) and 29 (Carrie Koelker).

     Jones County would remain within U.S. Congressional District 1, which is currently served by Ashley Hinson.

     The 1^st District is now geographically much smaller under the proposed map, and covers the southeast portion of Iowa instead of the northeast corner, which is now part of the 2^nd District.

     In speaking to campaign issues, Iowa Rep. Christina Bohannan announced that she plans to run against U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the 2^nd District seat. While Miller-Meeks would still reside in the new 2^nd District, Bohannan, who lives in Johnson County, would reside in the 1^st District. However, according to Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, congressional candidates do not need to live in the districts they plan to represent; but they do have to be residents of the State of Iowa.

     However, under state law, state lawmakers in the house and senate must live within their districts for at least 60 days before a general election. So, if two current representatives or senators reside in the same district, one will have to either retire or relocate their residency to avoid facing one another in an election.

     According to the AP (Associated Press), 62 Iowa lawmakers (24 senators and 38 representatives) will have conflicting districts if the proposed house and senate maps were approved by the Iowa Legislature.

     The Iowa Legislature will convene in Des Moines on Tuesday, Oct. 5, for a special session to review the proposals.