Next Issue for Democracy: Redistricting

Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than our elected bodies – Congress and state legislatures – reflecting the prevailing interests and preferences of voters. The most urgent next issue for Minnesota is to reform our process for redistricting to ensure that occurs in 2032 and in the future.

Most voters believe – and some elected officials reinforce – that having Minnesota courts draw congressional and legislative maps each decade works fine. In fact, by law in Minnesota the courts are not part of the redistricting process. Courts have drawn the maps because, dating back to 1992, the legislature and the governor have not been able to agree. Recent experience tells us that when one party – either party – controls all three branches of state government, maps will be manipulated – gerrymandered – to assure control by that party for decades if not generations. SCOTUS has determined that federal courts have no jurisdiction over partisan gerrymandering and it is unclear whether the Minnesota Constitution would protect voters.

Our neighbor to the east has arguably the most extreme gerrymander in the country. Wisconsin party preference is about 50-50, however one party has near veto proof supermajorities in the legislature. Gerrymandered supermajorities in North Carolina (Republican) and Maryland (Democratic) make those governors’ vetoes meaningless.

Relying on divided government every ten years to ensure representation is playing Russian roulette with our democracy. If we want to preserve the current gains for democracy in Minnesota, we must ensure that no one party or group can stack the legislature in their favor.