Faced with a May 15 deadline to have a temporary redistricting commission in place, Washington County supervisors on Tuesday, May 11 approved the resolution creating the group and a five-member …
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Faced with a May 15 deadline to have a temporary redistricting commission in place, Washington County supervisors on Tuesday, May 11 approved the resolution creating the group and a five-member commission that cannot meet until the national 2020 census overlay is released August 16.
Once the precinct boundaries are established, all changes become effective January 15, 2022.
The board, all Republicans, named three members (Chris Graber, Keith Swaffer and Bill Poch) with two members, Lorraine Williams and Harold Frakes, selected by the Democrats.
The procedure followed Iowa code regarding majority and minority party representation. The board also elected Swaffer as chairman. In a final related matter, the supervisors discussed compensation for the commissioners, which could be an hourly fee, mileage and expenses. Ten years ago, the previous commission received $10 per hour. The board approved a $25-per-day fee plus a 39 cents per mile fee.
Aside from Commission meetings, which are subject to the state open meetings law, the group must hold at least one public hearing on the proposed plan, during which members of the public are allowed to present alternative plans.
Once the Commission finishes its preliminary districting plan and the corresponding precinct plan, approved by the supervisors, it is submitted to the state Commissioner of Elections (Secretary of State) for final approval. If the plan fails to meet the state stands, the state commissioner can reject the plan and the county commission must review, prepare and adopt an acceptable one.
The Iowa code also requires that by October 9, 2022, three publications of the new precinct borders and polling places have been published, well in advance of the mid-term elections.
Details of the procedures, as well as asking board members to find and contact nominees, came during the board work session on May 4, during which the Iowa code was renewed, noting that the Commission could be three, five or seven members. Consensus favored five, reflecting the five-supervisor district in the county.
