Iowa

State Redistricting Info Iowa

Iowa 2021 Districts

Overview of 2020 Redistricting

Iowa’s non-partisan redistricting model weathered the 2020 census delay with minimal disruption. After the Supreme Court extended the constitutional deadline to December 1, 2021, the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) released its first statewide plan on September 16. The Senate rejected “Plan 1” on technical grounds on 5 October, triggering an automatic second draft. “Plan 2” followed on October 21 and won overwhelming, bipartisan approval one week later (Senate 48-1; House 93-2). Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bills on November 4, 2021, simultaneously enacting a revised four-district congressional map and new boundaries for all 50 Senate and 100 House seats.

Because Iowa lawmakers may only accept or reject LSA plans, amendments are barred. The adopted maps met population, contiguity, and county-split standards with virtually no partisan wrangling. No state or federal lawsuits were filed, making Iowa one of the few states whose 2021 congressional and legislative plans took effect unchallenged and on schedule. Those districts will govern elections through the remainder of the decade unless the General Assembly opts -contrary to precedent- to reopen redistricting mid-cycle.

2020 Timeline: Congressional & Legislative Maps

Apr 8 2021	The Iowa Supreme Court announces it will extend the constitution’s Sept. 15 deadline if census delays prevent on-time maps, signaling the process can run to Dec. 1 2021.
Sept 14 2021	The court issues a formal order granting that extension to Dec 1, 2021, keeping the regular LSA/legislature process in place.
Sept 16 2021	Non-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) releases “Plan 1,” the first set of congressional, Senate, and House maps, and public hearings begin.
Oct 5 2021	Meeting in special session, the Iowa Senate votes down Plan 1. The rejection triggers the clock for a second proposal.
Oct 21 2021	LSA delivers “Plan 2,” a revised, statewide congressional and legislative map set.
Oct 28 2021	The General Assembly approves Plan 2 without amendment (Senate 48-1; House 93-2), the only action the legislature may take under Iowa law.
Nov 4 2021	Governor Kim Reynolds signs the Plan 2 bills, enacting the new four-district congressional map and all 50 Senate/100 House districts (effective for 2022 elections).
2021 – Present	No lawsuits have been filed challenging either map; the 2021 districts remain in force for 2024 and are slated to govern the 2026 cycle as well.

Who is Responsible for Redistricting in Iowa?

The legislature has responsibility for redistricting in Iowa. However, Chapter 42 of the Iowa Code gives the nonpartisan Legislative Service Bureau staff the initial responsibility for redrawing congressional and legislative districts. These requirements were established after the 1980 census. The legislature is not required to enact maps from the bureau and may enact its maps if a third Bureau map is not adopted. A Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission is also appointed to conduct public hearings and assist the Bureau with specific questions. In the event the legislature fails to enact a legislative map, the state constitution specifically requires the State Supreme Court to adopt a remedial map before December 31 in the year after the census (2021).

Deadlines for Redistricting

Population and Number of Representatives

State Redistricting Website(s)

Open map as PDF: Congressional Legislative Legislative Detail

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