Review Legislative Redistricting Timeline and Impacts to City's Ward and Precinct Boundaries

The completion of the 2010 Census begins a process of legislative redistricting with potential impacts to Ramsey.  Upon completion by the Minnesota Legislature of state legislative redistricting, the City will have 60 days to complete any potential redistricting of Ward and Precinct Boundaries.

No notification required at this time.  If any changes are proposed to Ward or Precinct boundaries, the City shall be required to post three (3) weeks of public notice.  New polling location informaton would also be mailed out to affected residents.

The City is divided into four (4) wards, with each ward having a total of two (2) precincts.  According to State Statute, each Ward shall have a balanced population with other Wards in the community.  A general tentative time line for redistricting is as follows:

• February 7, 2012; Precinct caucuses using old precincts
• February 21, 2012; Intended deadline for legislative redistricting
• February 2012; OSS provides Congressional & Legislative District information to county auditors
• February 2012; County auditors forwards relevant portions to municipal clerks
• April 3, 2012; Deadline for municipal redistricting
• May 1, 2012; Deadline for all other redistricting (school, county)
• May 8, 2012; County publishes notice illustrating congressional, legislative, & county commissioner boundaries.
• May 22, 2012; Candidate filing opens (early filing period)
• August 7, 2012; Candidate filing opens (late filing period)
• August 14, 2012; State Primary (redistricted boundaries take effect)
• November 6, 2012; State General Election

Based on the 2010 Census, the population of each Ward in Ramsey are as follows:

• Ward 1 = 6,975
• Ward 2 = 4,937
• Ward 3 = 5,721
• Ward 4 = 5,939

Staff will be prepared to discuss the upcoming time frame for redistricting, potential amendments for Ramsey and how Staff would plan to analyze population numbers for each Ward.

Attached to this case are three (3) proposed statewide redistricting plans from the Minnesota Legislature that could have impacts on Ramsey.  The maps are of a statewide extent, and a difficult to determine exact boundaries at the City level.  Staff will attempt to acquire maps for Anoka County that were presented at the recent Anoka County Local Government Officials Meeting that include better detail for the Anoka County area.

For discussion purposes only.

Review is being handled as part of regular staff duties.

Based on discussion.