Our state's political districting process needs to stay the same so that it doesn't favor one party over another.


Friend –

While many other states struggle with gerrymandering, in Iowa, our process of drawing up political districts has not had the same problems. The process that has been in place in Iowa for decades has assured the fair, nonpartisan creation of state and federal districts, including those for the Iowa Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

However, this year, because of COVID, the process has been delayed. As a result, while the basic rules are the same, the process isn't clear. We do know that unlike in previous years, now the Iowa Legislature and the Iowa Supreme Court have to work together in creating state legislative districts. And while the Legislature and the Supreme Court have indicated they will follow the historic nonpartisan framework, we have yet to see the details of how that will work.

Let's be clear: in Iowa, there can never be any attempt to create districts that favor one party over another, no matter which party.

While we're encouraged by the public statements some policymakers have made so far, the ultimate test will be in the actions these officials take when the Iowa Legislature returns to the Capitol in the coming weeks for a special session to finish the redistricting process. When they do, it is absolutely critical that the Legislature and the Supreme Court continue our nonpartisan tradition—one that has worked so well for five decades.

FAQs about this year's redistricting in Iowa. <[link removed]>

The ACLU of Iowa is watching the situation carefully, and you can do something, too. Email your state senator and state representative and urge them to do everything in their power to keep Iowa's redistricting process nonpartisan.

Email your state reps and tell them to keep redistricting fair and impartial. <[link removed]>

Additionally, there will be public meetings, likely online, where citizens can weigh in on the process. We encourage you to participate in these.

Iowa policymakers need to know that you are counting on them to do the right thing.

Thanks for all you do to defend the democratic process,

ACLU of Iowa

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