Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz proposes fix for county redistricting

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz speaks with visitors to his office.

Today Secretary Matt Schultz introduced a bill that would change the method in which county supervisor redistricting plans can be challenged if questions regarding the consideration improper political purposes are raised.

In the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board order dismissing complaint filed November 8, 2011, they stated, “The system motivates the supervisors to appoint political allies to the commission to safeguard the interest of their respective political parties.”

This bill would require Legislative Services Agency to draw a map for county supervisor redistricting plan if a petition containing signatures equal to 2% of the total votes cast for the office of Governor in the preceding General Election are collected.

“I share the IECD Board’s frustrations with the process and the need to change the current system. However, I believe that local control must remain a key element in creation of the redistricting plans,” said Secretary Schultz.

“I believe this bill takes a necessary step to remove politics from redistricting at the local level while maintaining local control of the process.”