DES MOINES, IOWA (October 18, 2019) — The US Supreme Court recently ruled that partisan gerrymandering claims cannot be decided by a federal court.
After every 10-year census, political boundaries within states must be redrawn to account for population changes. Gerrymandering is when politicians draw the districts to benefit their own party. It’s a big problem that steals the voters’ power in many other states.
Iowa has a proven system for fair redistricting. Iowa’s nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency draws voting districts to reflect changes in population, while making them as compact as possible, of equal population and following community boundaries. LSA does not consider the impact of the lines on politics.
Many national leaders are encouraging all states to adopt a process like Iowa’s. For example, former Attorney General Eric Holder has toured the country asking candidates to sign a Fair Districts Pledge to end gerrymandering, and encouraging participation in state and local elections, which are critical to determining who controls the redistricting process. The goal is to ensure every American has an equal say in our government.
When partisan politics plays a role in redistricting, elected officials essentially get to choose their constituents, writes former State Senator Steve Warnstadt in the Sioux City Journal. He points out that gerrymandering allows a small group to predetermine which party wins elections. Iowa law, on the other hand, recognizes that it’s the voters who are sovereign — not parties or incumbents — which increases the legitimacy of those who are elected.
Some describe nonpartisan redistricting as Iowa’s form of term limits.
Iowans must remain vigilant though. Our nonpartisan redistricting process is written into Iowa law; it is not embedded in our state Constitution. That means state legislators could eliminate it with a single vote.
Have all of your elected officials committed to maintaining fair districts? I believe in the wisdom of my constituents and will continue to support a process that respects your wishes.
Additional information
This is a legislative update by State Sen Jim Lykam, representing Davenport and Buffalo. For bio, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/lykam.
To contact Sen Lykam when the Legislature is in session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise he can be reached at 563-391-1919. E-mail him at jim.lykam@legis.iowa.gov.
Senator Lykam serves on the following committees:
