The Iowa Legislature reconvenes today in special session to vote on new maps that change the boundaries for Iowa congressional and legislative districts.

If approved, Congresswomen Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, might wind up running against one another in 2022. Republican legislative leaders have not indicated whether this second set of maps has majority support. Democrats, who hold a minority of the seats in the Iowa House and Senate, plan to vote for the new redistricting plan. Some Republicans have been pressing for a vote today on legislation that would ban Covid-19 vaccine mandates. During the legislature’s October 5th special session, Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs said the House needs to act this fall.

The Democratic leader in the Iowa House says today’s special session should focus on the redistricting plan and other issues should be addressed in 11 weeks when the 2022 legislature convenes.