Iowa redistricting plan to be released Thursday morning

CEDAR RAPIDS — Iowa’s nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency will release the first redistricting plan for creating new congressional and legislative districts that will reflect population changes between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.

Iowa’s population grew slightly over the past decade, with nearly 80 percent of the growth happening in the state’s four largest counties while 68 counties posted population losses.

The maps will be released at 10 a.m. Thursday in a digital format, which will be available at thegazette.com.

The Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission will have virtual public hearings to gather input on the plan. The hearings will be 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20, noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 21 and 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

The Legislature will meet Oct. 5 to begin consideration of the plan. If lawmakers approve the first plan, it will go to the governor for her signature. If rejected, the LSA will draw another map that again is subject to a yes-or-no vote without any changes. If rejected, the LSA draws a third that can be amended by lawmakers.

For more information on redistricting, visit legis.iowa.gov/legislators/redistricting.

Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com