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.