County auditor warns supervisors about Senate File 75; board told to prepare redistricting commission by May 15

Karen Shawwalter, Black Hawk County auditor, told the board March 25 that Senate File 75—if enacted—would require counties that host a regents university to move supervisors from an at-large Plan 1 election format to district elections under Plan 3.

She said the bill has been introduced in prior sessions and is currently on the governor’s desk; if signed the law would take effect on enactment and require the county to appoint or create a redistricting commission by May 15. The commission would have until Oct. 1 to complete district lines; the change would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, according to the auditor’s summary of the bill.

Shawwalter told supervisors the law would change supervisors from being elected at large to representing individual districts, and that the county must decide whether the commission would have three, five or seven members; she said the majority party would appoint a majority of commissioners under the version described. She also said the board probably must provide public guidance on the commission’s membership and timing quickly and that the secretary of state’s office had been contacted for guidance.

Supervisors asked about costs — Shawwalter said a recent countywide special election cost roughly $50,000; she noted that under district elections, a special election to fill a vacancy would be smaller in geographic scope and therefore likely less expensive. Board members requested guidance materials and said they would reach out to local partners and coalitions for feedback.

"This bill is on the governor’s desk," Shawwalter said, and requested the board prepare to appoint the commission by mid-May if the law is enacted.

The board took no formal vote on enrollment or redistricting at the March 25 meeting; staff will watch for executive action and provide guidance to supervisors and the public when additional details are available.