DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Iowa lawmakers are about to begin the task of drawing new legislative and congressional districts.
The task is done every 10 years after the census is conducted and the Legislature must approve new district lines reflecting changes in population.
In Iowa, the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency redraws boundaries and submits maps to the Legislature for approval.
Tim Storey of the National Conference of State Legislatures says the process used in Iowa is unique. In other states the Legislature battles it out and courts are are forced to settle the matter.
Redistricting in Iowa will be important because it's expected that Iowa will likely lose a congressional seat. That would likely throw two incumbents into the same district, a sitation that could also happen in some legislative districts.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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