Monday, September 12, 2011

Redistricting: Schedule for Public hearings set

Redistricting MinnesotaOn Friday of last week the Special Redistricting Panel released the public hearing schedule for redistricting. Why do we need public hearings for redistricting you may ask?

The preservation of "communities of interest" is a well-established redistricting principle. For purposes of redistricting, "communities of interest" have been defined to include, but are not limited to, "groups of Minnesota citizens with clearly recognizable similarities of social, geographic, political, cultural, ethnic, economic, or other interests."

Therefore, the panel seeks public comment about communities of interest that should be identified and preserved in the redistricting process. This input will aid the panel in evaluating plans that will be submitted by the parties and in establishing plans that will be adopted if the legislative and executive branches of the government do not reach an agreement on redistricting by February 21, 2012, as required by Minn. Stat. § 204B.14, subd. 1a(2010).

These meetings are open to the public, so if you want to have your concerns heard about where new lines should be drawn, these are the places and times you can go to do just that.

Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel Public Hearing Schedule
Day Time Location City
Wednesday October 5th 6:30 - 8:30pm Minnesota Judicial Center Courtroom #300 St. Paul
Thursday October 6th 6:30 - 8:30pm John B. Davis Educational Service Center Minneapolis
Friday October 7th Tuesday October 4th 6:30 - 8:30pm Bloomington Civic Plaza Bloomington
Monday October 10th 6:30 - 8:30pm Fond du Lac Tribal Community College Ampitheater Cloquet
Tuesday October 11th 6:30 - 8:30pm Beltrami County Administration Building Bemidji
Wednesday October 12th 6:30 - 8:30pm Moorhead City Hall Moorhead
Thursday October 13th 6:30 - 8:30pm Stearns County Administration Center St. Cloud
Friday October 14th 6:30 - 8:30pm Blue Earth County Justice Center Mankato

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