CEDAR RAPIDS — The June 5 primary will mark Linn County’s first official public vote under a three-district representation plan.
Voters in 2016 chose to reduce the size of the Linn County Board of Supervisors from five members to three — which takes effect at the end of this year. Supporters of reducing the size of the board argued that supervisors — who make about $104,000 a year — were overpaid.
Ultimately the measure to cut out two board seats passed by about 51 percent.
With the board losing two members, the county last year embarked on a redistricting process to map out three districts.
The new plan divides Cedar Rapids, with the southern half making up one district and the northern half grouped with Hiawatha and Robins into a second district. It places Marion in a third district with the rest of the outlying rural areas and townships of Linn County.
Earlier this year, term lengths were randomly selected for the three districts. District 1 and District 2 were selected for four-year terms and District 3 will see a two-year term. The District 3 vote in 2020 will be for a standard four-year term. The end result will maintain the county’s staggered terms for supervisors after the 2018 election.
District 1 is home to Supervisors Stacey Walker and James Houser. District 2 includes Supervisor Ben Rogers and current County Auditor and potential supervisor candidate Joel Miller. Supervisors Brent Oleson and John Harris reside in District 3.
Residents vote for the supervisor within their respective district.
Supervisor Districts
By precinct and area
District 1:
— Cedar Rapids 19, 22, 23, and 25-44.
District 2:
— Cedar Rapids 1-18, 20, 21, 24, Hiawatha 1-4, Monroe Township 1 and 2 and Robins.
District 3:
— Bertram Township, Boulder Township, Brown Township, Buffalo Township, Cedar Rapids 41, Clinton Township, College Township, Fairfax, Fairfax Township, Fayette Township, Franklin Township, Grant Township, Jackson Township, Linn Township, Maine Township, Marion 1-14, Marion Township, Mount Vernon Township, Mount Vernon north and south, Otter Creek Township, Putnam Township, Spring Grove Township and Washington Township.
Still not sure which precinct you vote in? The Linn County election lookup tool can help: http://www.linncountyelections.org/lookup/index.cfm?action=search
l Comments: (319) 398-8309; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com