First redistricting plan voted down

This month, legislators rejected the redistricting maps drawn up by our state’s nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

I voted for the maps when the Legislature met in special session October 5 because they meet the strict best-in-the-nation standards set out in Iowa law and the state Constitution. Iowans have made it clear that’s what they expect their elected leaders to do.

Rejecting the maps raises concerns about gerrymandering, which has muzzled citizens in many other states. Gerrymandering is when one party draws Congressional and state legislative districts in their favor to ensure they win the majority of seats. Partisan gerrymandering destroys the integrity of our elections, puts power in the hands of special interests and leads to corruption.

Adopting Map 2 can safeguard

Iowans’ voices

The Legislative Services Agency will release a second nonpartisan proposal for new Congressional and state legislative districts by October 21. I plan to vote for the second map because I expect it will be drawn according to the same fair, nonpartisan standards as the first.

The Legislature must wait at least seven days after the proposal is released before voting on it. The special session to vote on the second map is set for Thursday, October 28.

What you can do before the Oct. 28 vote

Please encourage your legislators to put Iowans first by adopting fair, nonpartisan maps. It’s about respecting the power and right of Iowa voters to decide the future of our state.

Find contact information for your Iowa House and Senate members at legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find.

State Senator Kevin Kinney represents Iowa Senate District 39, which includes Keokuk County and much of Washington and Johnson counties. Contact him at 319-631-4667. E-mail him at kevin.kinney@legis.iowa.gov.