Iowa redraws political map

DES MOINES - “Opening day” means something entirely different to baseball fans than followers of the inside baseball known around the Statehouse as redistricting.

Rather than the “crack of the bat,” “opening day” at the Capitol refers to cracking open the map that could make or break the political futures of 150 Iowa legislators.

Iowa legislators will get their first look at their political future this morning when packets containing the 2011 statewide redistricting plan arrive on their desks. The maps, drawn by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency based on the 2010 census will show new boundaries for four congressional districts and 100 Iowa House districts and 50 Iowa Senate districts.

For some, the news will be good. For others, not so much.

If the map is good to you, stay quiet, advises Rep. Stewart Iverson, R-Clarion, who was Senate majority leader during redistricting - also known as reapportionment - 10 years ago. If it's not, stay quieter.

Iverson has seen a variety of reactions in his 11 terms in the House and Senate.

“Tears? Yeah, I've seen tears - tears of joy and tears of anger,” Iverson said.

To avoid any initial reactions that lawmakers might later regret, the two parties plan to go to caucus - private meetings - when the maps are delivered beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Sen. Sandy Greiner, R-Keota, probably knows the good and the bad of redistricting as well as anyone. After redistricting in 1991, she ran for an open seat in the House. In 2001, she was in the Senate and redistricting put her in a district with two incumbents - one Republican and one Democratic. She successfully ran for a House seat, and then retired for two years before winning another term in the Senate in 2010.

“Whatever happens, happens,” she said, adding, “There's a lot more anticipation and excitement around here than anywhere else in the state.”

Rep. Vicki Lensing, D-Iowa City, is aware of the concern and anxiety in the chambers, “but there's not much you can do.”

“We can speculate and worry all we want, but the way Iowa does it is a great system. It's fair,” Lensing said.

In most states, lawmakers are more involved in drawing the legislative districts, making the process inherently political. Iowa's non-partisan approach came out of a messy redistricting process in the 1970s.

There is some interest in redistricting beyond the Capitol, Lensing said. People know where there has been population growth and loss. They're interested in how that will change the Legislature.

It's clear to Iverson rural Iowa will lose representation in the Legislature. Roughly two-thirds of Iowa counties have recorded population losses. The growth has tended to be in and around metro areas.

If anyone is more anxious than legislators, it might those in the offices of Iowa's five U.S. House members who will be caught in a game of redistricting musical chairs. Based on U.S. Census Bureau numbers showing Iowa's population grew more slowly than other states, Iowa will lose one congressional seat. No one plans to retire, so there will be at least one race pitting incumbents against each other in 2012.

If the plan presented today is not accepted by the Legislature - in 1981 it took the third plan, in 1991 lawmakers accepted the first plan and in 2001 approved the second map - the Legislative Services Agency will prepare a second plan. Neither the first nor second plan can be amended. If a third plans is needed, it can be amended.

If the Legislature has not approved a plan by Sept. 15 or if a plan is challenged in court and ruled invalid, the Iowa Supreme Court will establish a plan before Dec. 31.