Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Senate Dems vote for nonpartisan maps

    Senate Democrats vote unanimously for fair, nonpartisan redistricting; Call on Gov. Reynolds to sign legislative maps

    Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls:

    Today, the Iowa Legislature approved a non-partisan redistricting plan in a strong, bipartisan vote. This is a win for all Iowans who care about our government and about our ability to come together, solve problems, and improve people’s lives.

    As Democrats said throughout this process, Iowans deserve fair maps, without partisan interference, and without political amendments. We stood firm in defense of Iowa’s best-in-the-nation model for independent and non-partisan redistricting, and I’m glad our Republican colleagues agreed with us.

    Iowa’s non-partisan redistricting tradition has been upheld thanks to the overwhelming support of Iowans. Iowans across the state stood up in defense of our democracy, against partisan gerrymandering, and made our voices heard in the legislative process. I am proud of everybody who stood up on this important issue.

    Now, it’s time for Governor Reynolds to sign the bill and for us to get back to work helping hardworking Iowans.

    We can now focus on the 2022 legislative session that starts in January. With help from President Biden and Congresswoman Axne, Iowa is already building back better from the pandemic, but there’s more to do.

    In January, Senate Democrats will focus on investing in local public schools, helping small businesses and communities recover from the pandemic, and beefing up Iowan’s paychecks. We’re going to fight for higher wages, more affordable child care options for parents, and middle class tax relief for hard working Iowans. Democrats are fighting for folks who work hard and play by the rules, and I’m excited to get to work on their behalf.

    end

  • Let’s approve 2nd nonpartisan redistricting plan

    “If Republicans vote down the second map, that will be the clearest sign yet that they are rushing to gerrymander Iowa’s legislative map and rig election outcomes in their favor.“

    Prepared remarks by State Senator Zach Wahls at Iowa Democratic Leaders’ 10-21-21 press conference

    See the 2nd nonpartisan redistricting proposal

    “First of all, I want to say how disappointed I am at yesterday’s district court injunction against striking Deere workers in Davenport. This ruling is yet another attack on labor rights in Iowa and an ominous sign of what is to come.

    “As of this morning, we have seen and started our review of the second redistricting plan released by the non-partisan LSA. Our position has been clear and consistent from the beginning: Iowans deserve fair maps, drawn without interference from politicians, and without partisan amendments. 

    “Just like the first map, this second map is fair and meets the legal and constitutional requirements. It addresses all of the purported concerns of the Republicans from the first map. Senate Democrats will vote for it, and Legislative Republicans should join us in voting for fair, non-partisan maps.

    “As we said after the first map, there was no legitimate reason for Republicans to vote down the first map, and there will be no legitimate reason to vote down the second map either. If Republicans vote down the second map, that will be the clearest sign yet that they are rushing to gerrymander Iowa’s legislative map and rig election outcomes in their favor.

    “Republicans have an opportunity today to put this all to rest. They can make a definitive statement today against gerrymandering by stating they’ll vote for the fair, non-partisan maps that were just released. We’ll have respected our gold-standard non-partisan redistricting process, and we can move onto the important work of solving the problems that hard-working Iowans face.

    “That’s what Senate Democrats are ready to do, and we hope Legislative Republicans are as well.

    “Approving this fair, non-partisan redistricting plan is in the best interests of both parties, and more importantly, it will be the best outcome for all Iowans.”

  • Republican leaders must rule out gerrymandering, accept second map

    Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls

    DES MOINES—At today’s weekly media availability, Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery:

    “This morning I was proud to join UAW workers on the picket line in Ankeny. I stand in solidarity with the UAW workers striking for a fair contract from Deere. Iowans deserve pay and benefits that reflect their hard work. Every hard-working Iowan deserves a good paying job, a middle-class life, and a secure retirement.

    “Working people built America into the greatest nation on Earth and are the backbone of this country. We should reward work, not wealth.

    “While Senate Democrats continue our fight for working Iowans, we remain vigilant about the looming Republican gerrymander.

    “Since the start of 2021, we’ve been calling on Iowa Republicans to respect Iowa’s nonpartisan redistricting tradition and rule out gerrymandering Iowa’s legislative districts. So far, Republicans have refused to rule out imposing partisan election maps on Iowa.

    “Their silence is a clear sign that Republicans are willing to cheat and gerrymander Iowa’s elections for the next decade.

    “All Iowans should be concerned. Partisan gerrymandering strengthens the power of special interest elites while silencing the voices of farmers, small business owners, parents, and retirees. Republican gerrymandering will create a breeding ground for corruption and bad laws, continuing to push younger and talented Iowans to leave for better opportunities elsewhere.”

    “Iowa law never intended for the majority party to be able to review all the maps, and then pick and choose the map it likes the best. When one party picks and chooses maps that they like the best; that’s gerrymandering, plain and simple. This a la carte gerrymandering is an egregious abuse of our process – a process recognized across the country for its fairness and independence.

    “Republicans are threatening Iowa’s fair, nonpartisan redistricting process. Republicans have continually kept on the table the prospect of adopting a new, secret district map drawn by unknown Republican lobbyists and powerbrokers. Today, I’m calling on Republican leaders to pledge to completely rule out gerrymandering and accept the second legislative map that we’ll see next week.

    “If the second map meets all the requirements laid out in state law – which I am confident it will – then Senate Democrats will vote for it, and Republicans should as well. They can put this all to bed and allow all of us to move on by voting YES on the second nonpartisan, independent map.

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  • Iowa GOP is a step closer to rigging Iowa elections

    IOWA SENATE DEMOCRATS
    For Immediate Release: 10/5/2021

    Breaking with decades of non-partisan redistricting, today Iowa Republicans took a big step closer to rigging Iowa elections

    Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls:

    Breaking with decades of non-partisan redistricting tradition, today Iowa Republicans took a big step closer to rigging Iowa elections.

    The reasons given by Republican Senator Roby Smith on the floor ignored Iowa law and in fact demonstrated that there was no legitimate reason for Legislative Republicans to reject this first map. This was a fair map drawn by the nonpartisan, independent commission. It met all the requirements laid out in state law. This is an outrageous use of political power to rig elections in their favor.

    We are in completely uncharted territory, due to unprecedented delays. Today, Iowa Republicans could have ended the uncertainty and demonstrated a commitment to our non-partisan tradition. Instead, they rejected the LSA’s non-partisan plan in a party line vote.

    Watch Senate’s 10/5/21 debate on redistricting

    Iowans know partisan gerrymandering erodes democracy in other states.  We’ve seen how special interests are strengthened and corruption grows in gerrymandered states.

    That’s why gerrymandering not only strips the minority party of their power, it also hurts voters of the majority party – in this case Republican voters – by letting legislators disregard the will of voters. The extreme Republican agenda will become even more dominated by special interests, and the needs of farmers, smaller business owners, parents, and retirees will fall by the wayside.

    Iowans, listen up.  This is a clear signal Republicans are willing to use a partisan gerrymander to keep themselves in power, regardless of the will of we the people. Now is the time for Iowans to make their voices heard, contact their legislators, and demand that Republicans stop going down their dangerous road.

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  • If Iowa GOP rejects first map, that’s a clear signal they plan to gerrymander

    IOWA SENATE DEMOCRATS
    For Immediate Release: 9/30/2021

    Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls:

    “Let me be clear: There’s no legitimate reason for Legislative Republicans to reject this first map. If Republicans vote down the first map, that is a clear signal they are planning to gerrymander Iowa legislative districts to keep themselves in power. It will be an attack on democracy, and Democrats will fight it every step of the way.”

    BACKGROUND

    This Tuesday, October 5, the Iowa Legislature will consider new state and federal legislative districts which, if approved, would shape Iowa elections for the next 10 years. 

    Today Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls spoke at a virtual press conference with Iowa reporters.  Video of his statement is available here: https://youtu.be/ms3W5kgaKZ4

    COMPLETE REMARKS

    DES MOINES—At today’s weekly media availability, Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery:

    “Iowans deserve fair elections, and they know that starts with fair, nonpartisan district maps.  That consensus was clearly reflected by the overwhelming majority of public comments made during last week’s hearings.

    “There are some things for Republicans to like about these maps, and there are some things for Democrats to like – but most importantly – these are nonpartisan maps drawn without interference from politicians or political influence. That’s why I’ll be voting to approve these maps on October 5, and why my Republican colleagues should as well.

    “For the last 40 years, Iowa legislative districts have been drawn on the basis of equal population, compactness, and respecting local civil boundaries when possible.  These maps were drawn by nonpartisan staff without regard to where incumbent politicians live, past election results, or partisan advantage.

    “Iowans want fair maps, maps that make sense and respect county and city boundaries when possible.  That’s what they want and what they deserve.

    “Here’s what Iowans don’t want: They don’t want one party using their political power to rig the game in their favor. They don’t want Republicans to gerrymander and lock Iowans out of their government.

    “As we’ve seen in other states, partisan gerrymandering erodes our democracy, gives outsized influence to special interests, and creates a breeding ground for rampant corruption. Gerrymandering not only strips the minority party of their power, it also hurts Republican voters as well. Voters of both parties want their elected leaders to work together to solve the problems that hard working Iowans face. But a government controlled by a slim minority – and the special interests that fund their campaigns – won’t do anything to fix the challenges that we face as a state.

    “Let me be clear: There’s no legitimate reason for Legislative Republicans to reject this first map. If Republicans vote down the first map, that is a clear signal they are planning to gerrymander Iowa legislative districts to keep themselves in power. It will be an attack on democracy, and Democrats will fight it every step of the way.

    “Hopefully it does not come to that, and Republicans in the legislature have the opportunity to do the right thing on Tuesday and vote YES on the maps.”

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  • Iowans support fair, non-partisan maps

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release: September 23, 2021

    “Iowans overwhelmingly support fair, non-partisan maps, and they don’t want politicians making changes to benefit one side or the other.”

    Statement by State Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines:

    “Iowa citizens have had their say on the first redistricting map. 

    “At both the federal and state levels, the districts have nearly the same number of voters and follow local government boundaries when possible.

    “Iowans overwhelmingly support fair, non-partisan maps, and they don’t want politicians making changes to benefit one side or the other.”

    “For 40 years, Iowa has shown every other state how to do redistricting fairly, without partisan gerrymandering.  Iowa voters pick their politicians; politicians don’t get to pick their voters.

    “Other states, red and blue, should follow Iowa’s lead.

    “The Legislature should do what we did last time.  Approve the new maps and move forward.”

    End

  • Ensure fair representation: Share feedback on redistricting

    Access details for three Iowa Redistricting virtual public input meetings will be available in mid-September at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetings/meetingsListComm?groupID=587&ga=89.

    For reminders, RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/861406414766933

    Iowa’s long-standing redistricting process does not allow politicians in power to pick their own districts. It is vitally important that the state keeps the process free of political interference—including partisan amendments—to ensure all Iowans have a voice in their representation.

    With the release of finalized data by the U.S. Census Bureau in August, Iowa’s redistricting process is underway.

    Once the initial redistricting plan is released in mid-September, a special bipartisan advisory commission will hold three online meetings to gather public input on the new maps. Mark your calendars to attend one of the online meetings scheduled for:

    • Monday, September 20: 7 PM to 9:30 PM
    • Tuesday, September 21: Noon to 3 PM
    • Wednesday, September 22: 6 PM to 8:30 PM

    Iowa’s redistricting model is recognized nationwide as the “gold standard” because it doesn’t allow political influence to impact new legislative districts. Since 1980, Iowa’s district lines have been drawn by nonpartisan legislative staff, who follow a strict set of criteria, including:

    • Districts must be established based on population, and the population of all districts should be as equal as practicable.
    • Each Congressional district must be composed of whole counties, and the number of counties and cities divided into more than one legislative district must be as small as possible.
    • Districts must be composed of convenient contiguous territory.
    • Districts must be reasonably compact in form (i.e., square, rectangular or hexagonal; not irregularly shaped, to the extent permitted by natural or political boundaries).

  • Sen Dem Leader appoints Jazmin Newton to redistricting panel

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  July 6, 2021

    Senate Democratic Leader appoints Jazmin Newton to redistricting panel

    Newton is an attorney, small business owner, community leader and social advocate.

    Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls today appointed attorney and community leader Jazmin Newton of Davenport to the Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission.

    The Commission is responsible for conducting hearings to gather input from Iowans about new maps that will be drawn for legislative and Congressional districts later this year, based on updated information from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

     “Jazmin Newton is committed to free and fair elections,” Wahls said. “Iowa has the gold standard for ensuring that Iowans have fair maps for legislative and Congressional districts going into the 2022 elections. We should not allow politicians to undermine Iowa’s nonpartisan, independent system for redistricting.”

    Newton said she is enthusiastic about serving on the Commission.

     “I am committed to ensuring that Iowans have fair maps for legislative and Congressional districts,” Newton said. “The Iowa system is based on a simple principle: Politicians in Des Moines shouldn’t pick their voters. I look forward to serving on the commission and listening to the feedback of Iowans when the new maps are drawn.”

    Newton has been an active member of the Quad Cities community her entire life. She is currently the President of the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council #10, Commissioner for the Bi-State Regional Commission, Commissioner for the Davenport Affirmative Action Commission, a Board Member on the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and also serves on the Board of Directors for Q2030.

    She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, and she graduated cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law.

    Newton replaces Deidre DeJear on the Commission.

    END

  • Initial analysis of GOP’s latest attack on Iowa voters

    The key section is Ballot Courier Language – Operation 11

    SF 568 – Public Measures/Elections Changes – Original Bill Summary

    First passed Senate: 30 -17 (March 17); Passed House: 54-33; Final passage in Senate: 29-17 (May 19)

    SF 568 relates to the conduct of elections, including nominations and procedures for proposed amendments to the Iowa Constitution. Key provisions of the bill include:

    Public Measures/Elections Changes: The bill adds the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even-numbered year as an available date for a county to hold a special election on a public measure. This does not apply to cities or school districts.

    Constitutional Amendments/Petitions: The bill requires the constitutional convention question, which is required to be submitted every decade, to be treated the same as a public measure on a ballot.

    Holding Two Offices/Vacancies: The bill allows an elected official to be elected to and simultaneously serve in a second office for not more than 30 days.Under the bill, if a person is elected to multiple incompatible offices and doesn’t resign from one, the vacancy will be in the first office to which the person was elected. Under current law, a vacancy occurs in all of the offices to which the person was elected.The bill includes an effective date of January 1, 2022, for sections of the division relating to ballot vacancies.

    Filing/Withdrawal Deadlines: The bill changes the deadline for the filing and withdrawal of nomination papers for primary elections, as well as for filing objections to the nominations of candidates. The bill changes the timeline for the replacement of a candidate who withdraws from a primary or general election or dies.The bill requires a ballot for president and vice president of the United States to disclose that a vote for such candidates is a vote for the slate of electors selected by the organization nominating such candidates.

    After Election Activities (House amended this section): The bill  now requires when ballots are returned to the auditor the memory device used by voting equipment shall be returned to the auditor by two precinct election officials of different political parties, by law enforcement, or by a person designated by the commissioner. The printed results and memory device shall be returned in a sealed envelope with signature of all board members of the precinct place across the seal so envelop cannot be opened without breaking the seal. 

    Secretary of State: The bill requires the SOS to order election audits prior to all elections other than general elections. This provision of the bill takes effect January 1, 2022.The bill requires the SOS to develop an Internet application to allow voters to track their absentee ballot requests and ballots by February 26, 2024. The system must also inform a voter of an error in the voter’s application or ballot that requires correction.
    [3/17: 30-17  (No: Democrats; Excused: Goodwin, Hogg, Nunn)]

    Amendment H-1535 (compromise between House and Senate Republicans)

    Standing in Court – Operation 1

    Gives political parties and non-political parties standing to bring certain actions in court, and gives them standing to intervene in certain actions brought by other persons.

    Nomination Papers – Operation 3

    The amendment makes multiple changes to signature requirements for county and city office nomination papers.

    Voter Registration Cancellation – pg 4

    Prohibits sending a voter from being sent a notice and return card for the purpose of cancelling or making a voter inactive if the registered voter was not 18 years old for the general election.

    Strikes “Public Measures” from the bill – Operation  5 

    School, City, County elections and any public measure election held in  March or September: Not less than four days and not more than 20 days before an election, an auditor must publish notice containing a list of candidates and public measures to be voted upon. Costs for a notification sent or posted pursuant to this section may be charged to the entity requesting the public measure. For an election to approve the issuance of a bond, the bill requires auditors to send notification to all voters not later than 20 days before the election. The notification must include time and date of election. Estimated costs for this mailing could reach $153,000 in additional costs per election.

    Provision Ballot – Operation 7

    Clarifies that the new absentee ballot deadline does not apply to those who are eligible to reconcile their provisional ballots.

    Absentee Request Forms – Operation 10

    Requires voter to date and sign absentee ballot requests forms.

    Satellite Voting – Operation 10

    The amendment allows a valid petition for satellite voting to be rejected within four days if any of the following apply:

    1. The site is not accessible to elderly and disabled voters.
    2. The site has physical limitation that make it impossible to meet ballot security and secret voting.
    3. The owner of the site refuses.
    4. After a reasonable effort, the auditor cannot find the staff to ensure compliance with law.

    The other reasons listed for a reason that a petition can be denied include if the petition asks for satellite voting location in a city runoff election and a special election is held between the date of the regular city election and the city run-off election.  A petition can also be denied if the owner of the site of the location is demanding payment.

    If a county auditor receives two petitions for the same precinct the auditor is allowed to establish only one satellite voting location.

    Ballot Courier Language – Operation 11

    The amendment clarifies who can return a ballot for a registered voter. The person must be a registered voter in Iowa. A person can be an immediate family member which is defined as a someone in the within the fourth degree of consanguinity which extends out to a first cousin once removed or great-great grandparent. The delivery agent can only return a ballot so long as the person they are delivering for cannot deliver the ballot on their own due to blindness or disability.

    A person can NOT deliver a ballot for someone if they are the voters’ employer, an officer or agent of the registered voters union, or a person acting as an actual or implied agent for a political party, or a candidate or candidate’s committee.

    A delivery agent must fill out a form or receipt as prescribed by the Secretary of State.  A delivery agent can only deliver two ballots per election.   The delivery agent can NOT return the ballot to a mailbox or drop box and must return it to the county auditor’s office and must present an ID and must sign a statement saying they are eligible to return the ballot.

    Technical Stuff

    • Operation 4 – state register determines date of audit not county auditor
    • Operation 6 – adds “facsimile” of county seal
    • Operation 8 – Strikes Sec. 31 – Return and preservation of ballots
    • Operation 9 – Strikes Sec. 33 – Return of election register
    • Operations 12 – 20 –  technical stuff.

  • DeJear appointed to redistricting panel

    DeJear is small business owner and community activist 

    Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls today appointed small business owner and community leader Deidre DeJear of Des Moines to the Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission.

    The Commission is responsible for conducting hearings to gather input from Iowans about new maps that will be drawn for legislative and Congressional districts later this year, based on updated information from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

    “Deidre DeJear is committed to free and fair elections,” Wahls said. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure Iowans have fair maps for legislative and Congressional districts going into the 2022 elections. Iowa’s nonpartisan, independent system for redistricting should not be undermined by politicians.”

    DeJear said she is enthusiastic about serving on the Commission because of her passion for voting rights. 

    “It is of the utmost priority that every Iowan has equal access to the ballot box,” DeJear said. “In order to deliver safe and accessible elections to Iowa’s rural, urban, and suburban communities, we must also ensure that the state of Iowa has fair maps for legislative and Congressional districts.”

    DeJear said her passion for voting rights advocacy started when she campaigned for her grandmother who ran successfully for County Commissioner of Elections in Mississippi the 1990s. Ever since, DeJear has championed voting rights and supported national and local candidates in Iowa. 

    DeJear founded Caleo Enterprises in 2008, which specializes in marketing and project development for small businesses and nonprofits.  In 2018, DeJear became the first African American nominated by a major political party for statewide office in Iowa. DeJear graduated from Drake University. 

    For more than 12 years, DeJear has also supported efforts to increase financial management skills for Iowans, and strengthening financial capability and wealth attainment of Iowa’s African American community.  

    This week, Iowa House Democrats named Ian Russell, an attorney from Bettendorf, to serve on the Commission.

    Background 

    After receiving updated figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency will draft a proposed redistricting map and submit it to the Legislature. The Commission will conduct at least three public hearings across the state to gather comments from Iowans on the maps.

    Following the hearings, the Commission  will submit a report to the Legislature summarizing information and testimony received during the hearings. The commission’s report shall include any comments and conclusions which its members deem appropriate on the information and testimony received at the hearings. 

    The report must be submitted within 14 days of the date the first redistricting plan is delivered to the Legislature.