Minnesota is long overdue for redistricting reform. In the 2020 redistricting cycle, we graded Minnesota’s process a C+. Due to legislative fighting, once again, the courts stepped in to finalize maps. 

Minnesota has changed drastically over the past 60 years, becoming increasingly diverse. However, the ‘least-change philosophy’ led the judges to barely change district lines. The whole point of the redistricting process is to ensure that our political system evolves as our communities change. Minnesotans can’t afford to be tied to decades old maps again.

In 2021, Common Cause and our allies successfully sued to allow Native Nations and BIPOC communities to have direct legal input on the maps for the first time in a long time. Working with a diverse coalition, together we increased the number of majority-minority districts, making significant gains in representation for Native and Latinx communities. You can learn more about the challenges and successes of the 2020 process here. 

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made for BIPOC representation, but Minnesotans deserve more control over  our district voting maps. That’s why we support the grassroots With Us, For Us Redistricting Constitutional Amendment, creating an independent citizen redistricting commission for the 2030 Redistricting Cycle. 

What’s an Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission? 

Independent citizen redistricting commission’s aim is to center power in the hands of the people rather than politicians, political parties or special interests. They are groups of people chosen to draw voting maps completely independent of legislators and political parties. These commissions are significantly more likely to seek public feedback and integrate it into voting maps. This reform helps to create fair representation so that all people can have an equal say in our democracy. The structure of these commissions varies by state.

What could that look like for Minnesota?

We support a proposal creating a grassroots driven independent redistricting commission to oversee Minnesota’s redistricting process for our Congressional and State District Maps. The new maps would be drawn by a lottery system with a selected group of fifteen voters: 5 from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, 5 from the Republican Party, and 5 who are not affiliated with either party. 

How Does Redistricting Happen in Minnesota Now?

The Minnesota Constitution empowers the state legislature to draw congressional  and state legislative districts, subject to a gubernatorial veto. However, political stalemates have resulted in an appointed panel of judges drawing at least one set of districts every decade since the 1960s. 

This history of dysfunction has hurt Minnesota voters. An Independent Redistricting Committee would ensure that future maps represent the needs of every Minnesotan. 

Common Cause is creating a more reflective democracy in Minnesota, working to end gerrymandering through fair maps drawn by an independent commission.

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