Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • 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.

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