Every state and its municipalities are required by the U.S. Constitution to redraw their districts every 10 years based on the results of the U.S. Census to achieve “one person one vote.” Redistricting is about equity, ensuring the fair political representation and distribution of resources.
Redistricting & Nonprofits
We are all stronger when our democracy is strong. Nonprofits have a critical role in helping communities use their voice and power in civic participation - especially communities that have been historically disenfranchised. Our role as nonprofits is to work for transparency and a solution that serves all people, not partisan preferences.
MCN is an active member of Our Maps MN campaign and will be playing a role in organizing and mobilizing. MCN will be engaging stakeholders across the state to talk about redistricting and why it matters, map BIPOC and other communities of interest, and advocate that community maps influence the legislative and legal process.
Get Involved
8.25.21 - Census Data Released
The Census Bureau has released the redistricting data from 2020 Census! The data shows population growth over the past decade. The data is in a complex data format and the Census Bureau plans to release less complicated formats in the near future. The data will be used to draw new districts at the local, state, and federal level.
Key findings:
- Minnesota’s official 2020 population is 5,706,494. Between the estimates and the 2010 Census, this growth was more than expected.
- The seven county metro area grew 11% -- more than 300,000 people. Suburban counties near the metro grew by 9% and the rest of the state grew a little over 2.5%.
- Minnesotans of color population increased. About 76% of Minnesotans identify as white, down from 83% just 10 years ago.
- It is likely that all of the districts will need to be redrawn at the federal level. The 1st, 7th, and 8th districts will need to have their borders adjusted as their current districts have too few people. The other five districts will also need to adjust their borders because they have too many residents in the districts.
- Because the population growth has mostly been in the metro area, redistricting will likely lead to fewer rural districts at the state level.
If you want to check out more information on the Census data, check out this article by Sahan Journal.
10.13.21 - Redistricting going to the Courts
Redistricting lawsuits in Minnesota are common and have been since the 1970s. Since the 1970s, the legislature has failed to reach an agreement on newly drawn districts and has relied on the courts to finalize maps. Various groups have filed lawsuits against the state in anticipation of the legislature not agreeing on new boundaries.
Several nonprofits have either filed or joined a lawsuit. You can check out the press releases here:
If you would like to stay up to date on the redistricting lawsuits, you can sign up for updates through the MN Courts website.
Check out local news articles on redistricting lawsuits:
- “Redistricting is a plodding, legalistic process. It’s also vitally important to Minnesota’s communities of color.” – Sahan Journal
- “Political mapmaking heads to familiar spot: Minnesota’s courts” – MPR News
- “’The first of many’: Democratic redistricting group files preemptive lawsuit in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana” – Minnesota Reformer
- “New census data will shake up Minnesota politics” – MPR News
2.15.22 - New Redistricting Maps Released
"In November 2021, the court issued the principles it would follow and said the ideal U.S. House district would contain 713,312 people, a state Senate district 85,172 and ideal state House district 42,586,"
cited by MPR News.
On February 15, the five-judge panel released the new Minnesota legislative and congressional maps. The biggest changes include: "The newly drawn congressional districts keep the 7th in western Minnesota and extend the 8th west to take in all the state’s northern Native American reservations and south to the northeast metro area. The 2nd District, which is arguably the state’s most politically competitive, contracts — losing Goodhue and Wabasha Counties."