Iowa's Nonpartisan Approach to Legislative Redistricting

Not like it's done in Wisconsin.

Quite the design, eh?

Rep. Jagler seems to be proud of it.

Curing Our Political Ills? by Todd Berry.  (Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance, 10/14/2013)

The cure, as many see it, is to shift the responsibility for redrawing legislative districts every 10 years from state lawmakers to an independent agency.

Opponents say, hey, no need to change, it's always been done by elected officials.  That's democracy!

As Todd Berry notes:  The view of supporters is best summarized by a UK magazine*: 

“In a normal democracy, voters choose their representatives. In America, it is rapidly becoming the other way around.”

Reformers see legislative line-drawing as an inherent conflict of interest that reduces electoral competition and accountability to voters, while protecting incumbents and increasing gridlock.

* Congressional redistricting.  How to rig an election.  (The Economist, 4/25/2002)

Imagine what they must think now!

Berry also points to the success of the standards and process developed by Iowa.

The maps alone show which state takes a fairer, more clear-eyed approach.

LINK

As much as possible, efforts have been made not to carve up counties.

LINK
Cuts and squiggles

LINK 
Quite a few counties remain intact.

 A lot of gerrymandering by township.

Related posts:
Wisconsin State Journal Editorial Board Not Impressed with The Little Soldier.  (10/14/2013)
Against much evidence to the contrary, Sen Neil Kedzie (R-Elklhorn) spouts the company line.  (9/20/2013)
Wisconsin Democratic legislators who have yet to sign on as co-sponsors of Senate Bill 163/Assembly Bill 185 (Redistricting Reform) -- UPDATED.  (9/17/2013) 
Common Cause in Wisconsin calling out Sen. Lazich and Rep. August.  (8/19/2013) 
Undoubtedly, Tyler August is just following orders.  (8/12/2013)
Will Republican Leadership in Wisconsin Fail to Support Redistricting Reform? (7/22/2013)
The Redistricting Weasels Sing a Chorus of "Because I said so!!"  (5/16/2013)
Common Cause in Wisconsin asks, "Do your state legislators support non-partisan redistricting reform?"  (5/14/2013)
A trio of non-responses in this redistricting story.  (4/22/2013) 
Actually, Robin, Your Riposte is Patently Absurd.  (12/30/2012)  Expect a Frigid Reception from Wisconsin Republicans to This Redistricting Bill.  (12/7/2012)
Close, but no cigar, in this Republican redistricting effort to steal an Assembly seat.  (11/20/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  The plumber controls the spigot.  (11/15/2012)
Eric Litke can't see the forest for the trees.  (11/12/2012)
Robin Vos and religious imagery.  (10/15/2012)
The faces of gerrymandering.  (10/9/2012)
What it's all about in Wisconsin.  (8/1/2012)
Who's running for state office in Wisconsin:  31st Assembly District.  (7/4/2012)
Not anymore!  (2/7/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  the Basics.  (12/6/2011)
Define "judicial activism".  (12/3/2011)
More headaches but this time Sen. Lazich has the cure.  (10/27/2011)
Legislative redistricting in Wisconsin, part 2.  (10/24/2011)
Legislative redistricting in Wisconsin,  part 1.  (10/18/2011)
Legislative Reference Bureau legislative brief:  Local redistricting readjustment.  (9/6/2011)
Let's call this bill exactly what it is:  an unfunded mandate.  (7/21/2011)
Wisconsin redistricting plan popeils DeForest, Windsor.  (7/21/2011)
Fred Clark gets redrawn out of  his district?  Just a coincidence, of course.  (7/21/2011)
Oshkosh Northwestern editorial board tells it like it is.  (7/29/2011)
Wisconsin legislative redistricting:  Abandoned principles, interactive maps, bill text, and more. (7/13/2011)
Congressional redistricting in Wisconsin.  (6/19/2011)