Redistricting

Redistricting is complete

The City of Northfield completed its redistricting process on Tuesday, March 16, 2022. The Ward and Precinct map depicts the changes to Ward 1, Precinct 1 and Ward 1, Precinct 2. The polling location for Ward 3, Precinct 1 has also been relocated to Emmaus Baptist Church as shown on the map.

For a complete map of wards and precincts, please see below.

What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of election districts to ensure that the people of each district are equally represented.

Redistricting is done in the United States after the completion of Congressional reapportionment, which decides how many seats each state has in the 435 member House of Representatives. Reapportionment happens following the Decennial Census.

In Minnesota, the state legislature has constitutional responsibility for redistricting Minnesota's Congressional districts, as well as Minnesota Senate and House districts, and Metropolitan Council districts. Local governments are responsible for redistricting other election districts:

County boards are responsible for redistricting county commissioner districts
City councils are responsible for redistricting city wards
School boards are responsible for redistricting board member districts

In addition, during the redistricting time period, cities and townships will establish (or reestablish) their precinct boundaries as part of the redistricting process, as will counties that have unorganized territory.

Process for redistricting

On February 15, 2022, a panel of Minnesota judges released the congressional and legislative district maps to be in place for the next decade. Every 10 years, the Legislature is charged with redrawing the state’s maps to reflect population shifts from the decennial census. Over the past several months, it had yet to be seen if the Legislature would meet its statutory deadline of February 15 to complete redistricting. Since legislators failed to reach an agreement, a panel of Minnesota judges has stepped in to create new maps, which are now available.

Below are both current maps and new maps of the State Legislative and Congressional Districts for Northfield. The State redrew the boundaries for House Districts following our City limits and Northfield is now all in House District 58A. For State Senate, Northfield is in District 58. As a result of the changes, beginning in 2023, Northfield will have one State Senator and one State House Representative. Northfield is still in Congressional District 2, as shown in the new boundaries.

Now that statewide redistricting has been completed, cities must establish or reestablish election precincts, designate polling places, and, where applicable, confirm or redefine ward districts by March 29.

Below is also the map presented to the Council with the changes to Ward 1, Precinct 1 and Ward 1, Precinct 2.There are no other precinct changes proposed nor are there any changes in any of the Ward boundaries. The Council had indicated support at the February 8 Council work session to support this City plan as long as the State Legislative Districts or Congressional Districts didn’t require them to be changed. Since this is not the case, staff is proceeding with plans as the amended Redistricting Process, Timeline and Principles indicates.

Timeline

Action	Date
Council discusses, provides input, and reviews and redistricting process, timetable, and principles.	January 11
Staff prepares maps showing existing wards with population data as well as possible scenarios/plans for redistricting based on approved process & principles.	January 12-February 2
Presentation of/Possible Council direction on scenarios	February 8
Public input period on proposed ward maps and precinct plans.	February 23, 2022 – March 9, 2022
Public Open House and Presentation.	March 2, 2022
Public comments to Council. (No Public Hearing needed as no change to Wards)	March 15, 2022
City Council Vote on Resolution (Res. 2022-027)	March 15, 2022
Additional Discussion/Action on Redistricting; Special City Council Meeting ~ if needed	March 22, 2022 - not needed

Maps

Current	Proposed
Congressional District 2	Congressional District 2 Detailed Congressional District 2
Senate District 20 Senate District 58	Senate District 58
House District 20B House District 58B	House District 58A
Northfield Precincts/Wards	Northfield Precincts/Wards Ward 1, Precinct 1/Ward 1, Precinct 2 Proposed Change Ward 3, Precinct 1 Proposed Polling Location Change

Public input/comment

The City of Northfield received public input on the proposed change in Ward 1, Precinct 1 and Ward 1, Precinct 2 boundaries from February 23, 2022 through March 9, 2022. Due to Covid restrictions, City staff also proposed changing the polling location for Ward 3, Precinct 1 from Northfield Retirement Community to Emmaus Baptist Church.

The public had the opportunity to comment via email to the city clerk. The public had the opportunity to comment at the Open House on March 2, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Northfield City Hall, 801 Washington Avenue. A short presentation on redistricting was held and is available.

Open house

A Redistricting Open House was held in the Council Chambers of Northfield City Hall, 801 Washington Avenue on Wednesday, on March 2, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There was a short presentation from staff at 6 p.m.

If you were unable to attend in person, you can view a video of the presentation at either of the following links:

Watch the redistricting open house presentation

Watch the redistricting open house presentation on NBP