Where you live – and where you vote – MATTERS.

At stake in the 2020 US Census were States’ potential loss or gain of US Congressional seats. Here in Minnesota, it was the possibility of losing a seat, representation, and millions of dollars in funding to rebuild and invest in communities. Minnesota narrowly avoided that fate, and like the rest of the country, is now faced with the historic challenge of re-drawing House & Senate district lines, a complex and highly politicized process that happens every 10 years. Republicans, Democrats, advocates, and data scientists have already proposed maps; it’s almost certain the courts will re-draw maps informed in part by prior court decisions. With each state following its own process to redraw the lines, what does redistricting actually mean for communities? In Minnesota, will the districts become more politically competitive? Which communities are fighting to keep boundaries, or make changes? Is gerrymandering in the mix, and what does that mean for the everyday person?

On January 26, 2022, the Citizens League was joined by three guests who have first-hand experience with redistricting for a discussion that went beyond the headlines to understand what’s at stake.

Watch this virtual event below, designed for anyone interested in how redistricting works, why it matters, and what you can do to participate and engage in this historic process that will shape our future.

Panel:

  • Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera, Executive Director for Common Cause Minnesota
  • Alexis (Lexi) Stangl, Lead Counsel for the Nonpartisan Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis (SCRFA) Office of the Minnesota Senate
  • Kevin J. Matzek, State Government Relations with Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P.

Citizens League Mind Openers, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, are deep dives into policy topics that affect Minnesota and its residents. The talks are an opportunity for people to learn and talk about a variety of different issues.