State approves Linn County redistricting plan

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has approved Linn County's proposed redistricting map for a three-member Board of Supervisors.

Pate announced in a Friday news release his approval of the plan, which will dictate which Linn County Supervisor candidate residents have the opportunity to vote for in future elections. Voters will then elect a board representative within their respective districts.

'The redistricting plan has been carefully reviewed by a non-partisan, professional legislative team and I am proud of the transparency of this process,” Pate said in the release. 'The majority of the Linn County Board of Supervisors and a temporary redistricting committee expressed support for this plan, and since it appears to meet the requirements of Iowa Code, I am officially approving it.”

The plan was initially proposed earlier this year by a temporary redistricting committee and last month forwarded on to the state by the Linn County Board of Supervisors. It received mixed reviews at both bodies, with the committee approving it with a 3-2 vote and Supervisors passing it with a 4-1 vote.

Opponents of the plan argued it did not provide enough rural voice on the board, however supporters said it provided the best countywide representation.

The plan divides Cedar Rapids, with the southern half making up one district and the northern half grouped with Hiawatha and Robins into a second district. It places Marion in a third district with the rest of the outlying rural areas and townships of Linn County.

In accordance with the plan, the Board of Supervisors is slated to reduce from five members to three at the end of next year, when terms for all five current supervisors expire.

Voters in November 2018 will select three supervisors to form a new board starting in January 2019.

If everyone runs for re-election, current supervisors Brent Oleson and John Harris may be competing for a seat on the board. Supervisors Stacey Walker and James Houser may have to campaign against each other, as might current supervisor Ben Rogers and potential candidate and current Linn County Auditor Joel Miller.

l Comments: (319) 339-3175; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com