Redistricting laws

Legal timeline

After the U.S. Census is complete, state law says the City may adopt new ward boundaries on the earliest of the following dates:

1. Within 60 days after the state has completed redistricting, or;
2. At least 19 weeks before the state primary election.

State law says the City may adopt new park district boundaries on the earliest of the following dates:

1. Within 80 days after the state has completed redistricting, or;
2. At least 15 weeks before the state primary election.

Park district maps are usually adopted by the Charter Commission at the same time as ward maps.

See Minnesota Statutes 204B.14, Subd. 1-2

Ward boundaries

Wards must be as equal in population as possible, but also meet statutory requirements. These requirements influence the geography of the ward districts. The geographic requirements include:

• Wards are bounded by election precinct lines
• Wards are compact in area
• Wards are composed of contiguous territory

See Minnesota Statutes 205.84 Redistricting; Cities with wards

Election precincts

Election precincts are usually created during the ward redistricting process. Each ward has multiple election precincts. Every address in a ward has a specific election precinct where its residents go to vote.

See Minnesota Statutes 204B.14 Election Precincts

Federal law

Federal law requires districts to have equal populations. The Voting Rights Act requires that racial and language minorities have a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.

Under the Voting Rights Act, it is the effect, not the intent, of the plan that is important.