During the decade 2002 to 2011, four precincts in Johnson County were divided between
two state legislative districts. This did not affect where people voted on
Election Day, but did change the ballot a voter received.
Legislative District Boundaries
The state legislature defines the boundaries of Iowa's
legislative districts after each census, and these boundaries become part of
the Code of Iowa. The districts from which legislators were elected
from 2002 through 2010 were approved on June 22, 2001. More on
2001
redistricting including map of districts
Only an act of the state legislature can change legislative
district boundaries. In many places, including parts of Johnson County,
boundaries are defined as the city limits. The law describing the
legislative districts defines city limits as the boundaries on January 1 of
the Census year (2000, 2010).
How Annexed Precincts Occur
When a city annexes an area, the voting precinct for that area
is changed. However, an annexation does not change the
legislative district boundary.
Annexed
Precincts: Before and After
East Side of Iowa City
House Districts 78 and 79
Senate Districts 39 and 40
In primary and general elections only, voters in the
annexed areas receive a slightly different ballot than other voters in the
precinct. The only difference is in which state legislative district
appears on the ballot.
Annexed Precincts
2010 was the last election cycle with these annexed precincts, since
all legislative district lines were redrawn in 2011 to reflect 2010
census data.
Iowa City Precincts 16 (Lucas School) and 25 (Lemme School)
Shortly after the 2001 legislative
redistricting act was approved, Iowa City annexed parts of Scott
Township. Additional annexations continued throughout the decade. The City of Iowa City
made the new annexed areas part of
Precincts 16 and 25. The boundary between House Districts 78 and 79 is defined
as the 2000 city limits, so all areas annexed from Scott Township to Iowa
City remained in House District 79, even though the rest of Precincts 16 and
25 were in
House District 78.
In 2010, voters in the annexed parts of precincts 16 and 25 received ballots with the House District 79 contest and no state Senate race (the
senator for Senate District 40 was re-elected to a four year term in 2008).
Voters in the larger parts of those precincts got ballots with the House
District 78 and Senate District 39 races.
North Liberty Precinct 1
In 2006, North Liberty annexed part of Madison Township.
The boundary between House Districts 29 and
30 was defined as the 2000 city limits, so all areas annexed from Madison to
North Liberty remained in House District 29, even though the rest of the
city was in House District 30. The entire city was in Senate District 15.
City of Tiffin
In early 2002, Tiffin annexed part of Clear Creek
Township.
The boundary between House Districts 29 and
30 was defined as the 2000 city limits, so all areas annexed from Clear
Creek to Tiffin remained in House District 29, even though the rest of the
city was in House District 30. The entire city was in Senate District 15.
In 2010, voters in the annexed parts of North Liberty 1 and Tiffin
received ballots with the House District 29 contest. Voters in the larger
parts of those precincts got ballots with the House District 30 race.
There were other areas in the county in annexed precincts, but those included only commercial or undeveloped property with no
housing or registered voters.
2011 Redistricting and Reprecincting
In the 2011 redistricting, many legislative district lines were drawn
along the January 1, 2010 city limits. Iowa City has already made
annexations across these lines, so there are already annexed precincts. All
of the areas annexed to date are in commercial or industrial areas. No
voters are likely to ever live in these annexations. However, there is
always the possibility that future annexations may include residential
areas.
West Lucas Township
Though it was not caused by an annexation, a similar issue will affect
some voters in West Lucas Township.
The legislation establishing districts defines city limits as the
boundaries on January 1, 2010. At that time, the city limits of Hills
included the Crandic Railroad
right of way from the main body of Hills to the city limits of Iowa City at
Izaak Walton League Road. During 2010, the city of Hills de-annexed the northern part of
the railroad right of way.
However, the line between House Districts 77 and 86 follows the former
city limits. Most of West Lucas is in House District 77, but parts of West
Lucas and Liberty townships east of the railroad are in House
District 86.
This affects voters in the Izaak Walton League area of West
Lucas. They will continue to vote with the rest of the precinct at the
County Fairgrounds, but will receive a ballot with House District 86 and
Senate District 43 contests.
No voters live in the affected part of Liberty Township, which is mostly
flood plain.
