MADISON, Wis. — As the Wisconsin Assembly is set to vote on a new redistricting proposal today, which has been touted by Robin Vos and Assembly Republicans as “Iowa style redistricting,” a bipartisan group of Iowa leaders is speaking out to highlight key differences between the Wisconsin proposal and the system that has successfully worked in Iowa.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, and former Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Mike Mahaffey released the following statement:
“We are proud of Iowa’s record on nonpartisan redistricting and appreciate being a model for other states who believe in moving toward fair legislative maps. However, the proposal currently in front of the Wisconsin Legislature cannot be accurately called the Iowa model because it lacks the elements that have been the foundation for our system’s success. The clearest and most consequential difference is that Wisconsin’s proposal rejects our system of judicial review. In Iowa, the legislature has limited opportunities to accept or reject the maps drafted by legislative staff. If lawmakers fail to reach consensus, the maps are drawn by the Iowa Supreme Court and enacted. Our process works, which is why the legislature has always found agreement instead of sending the process to the Court. The Iowa model cannot be replicated by cherry picking elements from it.”
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