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SF 75

A bill for an act relating to county supervisors, concerning county supervisor representation plans and county supervisor vacancies, and including effective date provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Counties hosting state regents campuses must adopt plan three (single-member districts) for county supervisors, with vacancies in large counties filled by special elections.

Signed by Governor.
#ballots #countyboardsofsupervisors #countygovernment #electionsandpolitics #population #redistricting #vacancyinoffice
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Bill Summary · SF 75

Summary — SF 75 (Signed April 10, 2025)

Status: Enacted (Governor signed April 10, 2025)
Introduced: January 22, 2025

Purpose

SF 75 amends Iowa law governing county board of supervisors by (1) requiring certain counties to use a single‑member district representation plan (“plan three”) and adjusting procedures and timing for county supervisor representation-plan special elections, and (2) changing how vacancies on boards of supervisors are filled based on county population and whether the county contains the main campus of a state Board of Regents institution.

Key provisions

Representation plans and special election rules

  • Counties that contain the main campus of an institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents must use plan “three” for electing supervisors. (Plan “three” = single‑member, equal‑population supervisor districts.)
  • A plan chosen by a board remains in effect for at least six years and can be changed only by special election.
  • Special elections to select a representation plan:
    • Moved from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd‑numbered years.
    • Notice requirements preserved (publication once weekly for three weeks; last publication 4–20 days before the election).
    • If the special election approves a change to plan “two” or “three,” the temporary county redistricting commission must complete the district plan and submit it to the state commissioner of elections. The completion deadline was extended from November 1 to December 31 following the special election; the plan becomes effective the following January 1.
  • For counties with population ≥ 60,000 (per latest federal decennial census) that currently elect under plan “three,” changing from plan “three” to plan “one” or “two” via special election requires a two‑thirds supermajority of ballots cast. This two‑thirds requirement does not apply to counties required to use plan “three” because they host a regents main campus.

Transition for regents‑campus counties

  • A county that hosts a regents main campus but is not using plan “three” as of the bill’s effective date must use plan “three” for the 2026 general election.
  • Such counties must:
    • Establish a temporary county redistricting commission by the later of 30 days after enactment or May 15, 2025.
    • Complete and submit a precinct plan by October 1, 2025.
    • Have the Legislative Services Agency draw and publish the representation plan by January 1, 2026.

Supervisor vacancy procedures

  • Counties with population ≥ 125,000 (per most recent federal decennial census) OR counties that include the main campus of a regents institution: vacancies in the office of county supervisor must be filled by special election for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  • Counties with population < 125,000 and without a regents main campus: vacancies may be filled by appointment (committee of county officers) consistent with existing appointment procedures.
  • Timing/nominating details:
    • If a vacancy occurs > 73 days before the primary, party candidates are nominated at the primary.
    • If an appointment is made ≥ 88 days before the primary and no petition for a special election is received within 14 days after appointment, candidates will be nominated at the primary.

Effective date and implementation

  • The Act took effect immediately upon enactment (April 10, 2025).
  • Transition deadlines for required plan‑three conversions (precinct plan by Oct 1, 2025; representation plan published by Jan 1, 2026) are provided to support implementation for the 2026 general election.

Who is affected

  • Counties that host the main campus of state regents institutions (now required to use plan three).
  • Counties with population thresholds:
    • Those with ≥ 60,000 are subject to the two‑thirds protection against changing away from plan three.
    • Those with ≥ 125,000 must fill supervisor vacancies by special election.
    • Those with < 125,000 and no regents campus retain appointment option for vacancies.
  • County election administrators and temporary redistricting commissions (new deadlines and duties).
  • Voters in affected counties (changes in districting and vacancy‑filling processes).

Legislative action highlights

  • Passed Senate: 35–12 (March 10, 2025).
  • Passed House: 65–33 (March 18, 2025).
  • Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds: April 10, 2025.
  • Several floor amendment proposals (including proposed provisions on public forums and county minimum wage) were ruled not germane or not adopted.

Potential impacts (practical considerations)

  • Counties with regents campuses will move to single‑member supervisor districts by 2026, affecting local district boundaries and election administration.
  • More vacancies in larger counties (and regents counties) will be resolved by special election rather than appointment, likely increasing election costs and expanding voter choice in those jurisdictions.
  • The two‑thirds requirement for populous plan‑three counties makes it harder to revert to other representation plans via popular special election.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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