2021 Redistricting Guide

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

2021 Redistricting Guide 2021 REDISTRICTING GUIDE Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State 180 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: (651) 215-1440 Toll Free: 1-877-600-8683 Minnesota Relay Service: 1-800-627-3529 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sos.state.mn.us Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State 2021 Redistricting Guide 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.0 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 About this guide ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1.1 Organization....................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1.2 Usage ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 1.2 What is redistricting? .............................................................................................................................................. 8 1.3 When does redistricting take place? ....................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.1 Special Elections ................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.4 Who will be redistricting? ....................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4.1 County ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4.2 City..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4.3 Township ..........................................................................................................................................................10 1.4.4 School District ...................................................................................................................................................10 1.4.5 Other Districts ...................................................................................................................................................10 1.5 How can jurisdictions prepare? ..............................................................................................................................10 1.5.1 Know your area .................................................................................................................................................10 1.5.2 Review your staff and skills................................................................................................................................10 1.5.3 Plan processes ...................................................................................................................................................10 1.5.4 Understand the population ...............................................................................................................................11 1.5.5 Gather census data............................................................................................................................................11 1.5.6 Map out technology ..........................................................................................................................................11 2.0 STATE AND FEDERAL REDISTRICTING........................................................................................................................12 2.1 Congressional districts ...........................................................................................................................................12 2.2 Legislative districts .................................................................................................................................................12 2.3 District requirements .............................................................................................................................................12 2.4 Legislative process .................................................................................................................................................13 2.5 Role of the Office of the Secretary of State ............................................................................................................13 2.6 Role of the courts ...................................................................................................................................................14 3.0 CITY WARDS .............................................................................................................................................................15 3.1 What are wards? ....................................................................................................................................................15 3.2 Ward requirements ................................................................................................................................................15 3.2.1 Ward boundaries...............................................................................................................................................15 3.2.2 Ward population ...............................................................................................................................................15 3.3 Ward redistricting process .....................................................................................................................................16 3.3.1 Review city charter or policies ...........................................................................................................................16 3.3.2 Acquire census block population data ...............................................................................................................16 3.3.3 Describing ward boundaries ..............................................................................................................................16 3.3.4 Public involvement ............................................................................................................................................17 3.3.5 Dates for establishing wards ..............................................................................................................................17 3.4 Giving notice ..........................................................................................................................................................17 3.4.1 Publish and post ward plan................................................................................................................................17 3.4.2 Notification of county and state ........................................................................................................................17 3.5 Ward redistricting and the City Council..................................................................................................................18 3.5.1 Residence in ward .............................................................................................................................................18 3.5.2 First class cities without staggered council terms ...............................................................................................18 3.5.3 Failure to redistrict ............................................................................................................................................18 3.6 Voter’s right to contest ..........................................................................................................................................18 Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State 2021 Redistricting Guide 3 4.0 PRECINCTS ................................................................................................................................................................19 4.1 What are precincts? ...............................................................................................................................................19 4.2 Precinct requirements............................................................................................................................................19 4.2.1 Precinct boundaries...........................................................................................................................................19 4.2.2 Population.........................................................................................................................................................19 4.2.3 Available polling places .....................................................................................................................................19 4.2.4 Other non-required considerations ...................................................................................................................19 4.3 Precincts and the redistricting process...................................................................................................................20
Recommended publications
  • Local Election Act;
    1 AN ACT 2 RELATING TO ELECTIONS; ENACTING THE LOCAL ELECTION ACT; 3 PROVIDING FOR A SINGLE ELECTION DAY AND UNIFORM PROCESSES FOR 4 CERTAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS; PROVIDING THAT CERTAIN 5 BALLOT MEASURE ELECTIONS THAT ARE HELD AT TIMES OTHER THAN 6 WITH REGULAR LOCAL ELECTIONS ONLY BE CONDUCTED BY MAILED 7 BALLOT; REQUIRING SPECIAL STATEWIDE BALLOT QUESTION ELECTIONS 8 TO BE CONDUCTED BY MAILED BALLOT; PROHIBITING ADVISORY 9 QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT; UPDATING CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSING A 10 VACANCY IN LOCAL OFFICE; NAMING CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 24 NMSA 11 1978 THE "SPECIAL ELECTION ACT"; CHANGING THE LIMITS ON SOIL 12 AND WATER CONSERVATION LEVIES; REPEALING THE SCHOOL ELECTION 13 LAW, THE MAIL BALLOT ELECTION ACT, THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION 14 CODE AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW IN CONFLICT WITH THE LOCAL 15 ELECTION ACT; MAKING CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO OTHER SECTIONS 16 OF LAW; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION. 17 18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: 19 SECTION 1. Section 1-1-19 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, 20 Chapter 240, Section 19, as amended) is amended to read: 21 "1-1-19. ELECTIONS COVERED BY CODE.-- 22 A. The Election Code applies to the following: 23 (1) general elections; 24 (2) primary elections; 25 (3) special elections; HLELC/HB 98 Page 1 1 (4) elections to fill vacancies in the 2 office of United States representative; 3 (5) local elections included in the Local 4 Election Act; and 5 (6) recall elections of county officers, 6 school board members or applicable municipal officers. 7 B.
    [Show full text]
  • The Truth About Voter Fraud 7 Clerical Or Typographical Errors 7 Bad “Matching” 8 Jumping to Conclusions 9 Voter Mistakes 11 VI
    Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law ABOUT THE BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on fundamental issues of democracy and justice. Our work ranges from voting rights to redistricting reform, from access to the courts to presidential power in the fight against terrorism. A sin- gular institution—part think tank, part public interest law firm, part advocacy group—the Brennan Center combines scholarship, legislative and legal advocacy, and communications to win meaningful, measurable change in the public sector. ABOUT THE BRENNAN CENTER’S VOTING RIGHTS AND ELECTIONS PROJECT The Voting Rights and Elections Project works to expand the franchise, to make it as simple as possible for every eligible American to vote, and to ensure that every vote cast is accurately recorded and counted. The Center’s staff provides top-flight legal and policy assistance on a broad range of election administration issues, including voter registration systems, voting technology, voter identification, statewide voter registration list maintenance, and provisional ballots. © 2007. This paper is covered by the Creative Commons “Attribution-No Derivs-NonCommercial” license (see http://creativecommons.org). It may be reproduced in its entirety as long as the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is credited, a link to the Center’s web page is provided, and no charge is imposed. The paper may not be reproduced in part or in altered form, or if a fee is charged, without the Center’s permission.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Regular Local Election Candidate Guide Here
    2021 Regular Local Election Candidate Guide Version 2.0 – Published August 4, 2021 2021 Candidate Information Guide Revision History Version Updates Editor Date 1.1 Updates to list of Alexis Levy 5.25.2021 municipalities participating in RLE 2.0 Updates to list of Lauren Hutchison, Lee Ann 8.4.2021 Municipalities Lopez, Charles Romero participating in RLE; minor text, spelling and grammar updates 2 About This Guide This publication, prepared by the Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State, Bureau of Elections, serves as an easy-to-use reference for candidates seeking office in the 2021 Regular Local Election, and for anyone interested in the election process in New Mexico. Please note, this guide is intended merely as a reference, not as a legal authority. This guide does not supersede federal or state laws or rules, and it does not have the force of law. Please always consult the local government’s specific governing statute, charter, or ordinance for the specific requirements to hold elected office. Copies of the New Mexico Election Code and other applicable laws are available in the 2021 Election Handbook of the State of New Mexico, published on our website www.sos.state.nm.us. If you have any questions about this guide’s information or if you have questions regarding elections that are not provided for in this guide, please feel free to call the Bureau of Elections at 1 -800-477-3632 or (505) 827-3600, or email [email protected]. 3 Table of Contents 2021 Candidate Information Guide ............................................................................................................. 2 Revision History ........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in B.C
    CANDIDATE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL ELECTIONS IN B.C. 2018 Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: Candidate’s Guide to Local Elections in B.C. Available also on the internet. Running title: Local elections candidate’s guide. Previously published: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2018 ISBN 0-7726-5431-X 1. Local elections - British Columbia. 2. Election law - British Columbia. 3. Campaign funds - Law and legislation - British Columbia. 4. Political campaigns - Law and legislation - British Columbia. I. British Columbia. Ministry of Municipal Affairs. II. Title: Local election candidate’s guide KEB478.5.E43C36 2005 324.711’07 C2005-960198-1 KF4483.E4C36 2005 Table of Contents Key Contacts iii Conflict of Interest and Other Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing iii Ethical Standards 11 Elections BC iii Disclosure of Conflict 11 Ministry of Education iii Inside Influence 12 Enquiry BC iv Outside Influence 12 Municipal and Regional Accepting Gifts 12 District Information iv Disclosure of Contracts 12 Use of Insider Information 12 Other Resources v Voting for an Illegal Expenditure 12 BC Laws v Consequences 12 Elections Legislation v Confidentiality 12 Educational Materials v Elected Officials and Local Disclaimer vi Government Staff 14 New Elections Legislation – Shared Roles Qualifications 15 and Responsibilities 1 Who May Run for Office 15 Local Government Employees 15 Introduction 3 Local Government Contractors 15 Local Elections Generally 5 B.C. Public Service Employees 15 Voting Opportunities
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 4 Split-Ticket Voting in Multi-Level Electoral Competition: European, National and Regional Concurrent Elections in Spain
    Chapter 4 Split-Ticket Voting in Multi-Level Electoral Competition: European, National and Regional Concurrent Elections in Spain Alberto Sanz Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain Abstract This paper is intended to shed new light on the causes of split-ticket voting in concurrent multi-level European, national and regional elections. Up to now, differences in electoral outcomes shown in Spanish concurrent regional elections have been understood as being a product of higher levels of tactical voting associated with second-order elections. Evidence against this interpretation is presented and alternative explanations drawn from international literature are then tested. Preliminary evidence shows that Spanish ticket-splitters weight their European, regional and local electoral choices in a different manner: while they are particularly noticeable for basing their local vote on personal interests (egotropic vote), they are also outstanding in the regional arena for using regional interests as criteria for 102 Alberto Sanz voting. Finally, in European elections – in the absence of real executive power – ticket-splitters tend to vote on the basis of their ideological preferences more often than do the rest of the electorate. As a whole, the evidence reviewed in this paper suggests the possible existence of a gradient in the impact that ideology has in concurrent electoral choice. Understanding ideology as being a heuristic, the closer the elector is to the focus of election, the less relevant the ideological shortcut appears to be; the further the focus of election is from the voter, the more useful the ideological shortcut. Introduction The appearance of new political entities such as the European Union or the Spanish Estado de las Autonomías, offers a challenge to some classical theories of electoral behaviour, since these new institutional settings allow new behaviours – such as split-ticket voting – for which those theories can not account.
    [Show full text]
  • Initiative and Referendum Process in Nebraska
    This guidance document is advisory in nature but is binding on an agency until amended by such agency. A guidance document does not include internal procedural documents that only affect the internal operations of the agency and does not impose additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties or include confidential information or rules and regulations made in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. If you believe that this guidance document imposes additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties, you may request a review of the document. HOW TO USE THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PROCESS IN NEBRASKA SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN GALE This publication is provided free of charge and may be reproduced in part or in whole. This pamphlet is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for statutory provisions. Contributions to this publication from the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (Part III) and review and suggestions from individuals familiar with the initiative and referendum process are greatly appreciated. (Revised August 2015) Dear Citizens of Nebraska, The initiative and referendum process in Nebraska has a long and rich history. Established first in 1912, the process has addressed a myriad of issues such as soldiers’ bonuses, bottle laws, budget limitations and seat belts to name a few. The power of the citizens to use this process is established within our state constitution. Many suggest that it plays a more important role in Nebraska than other states because of our unique unicameral legislature. It has been said that the people of Nebraska, through their use of the initiative and referendum, comprise the second legislative house within our state.
    [Show full text]
  • Psephology with Dr
    Psephology with Dr. Michael Lewis-Beck Ologies Podcast November 2, 2018 Oh heyyyy, it's that neighborhood lady who wears pantyhose with sandals and hosts a polling place in her garage with a bowl of leftover Halloween candy, Alie Ward! Welcome to this special episode, it's a mini, and it's a bonus, but it's also the first one I've ever done via telephone. Usually, I drag myself to a town and I make an ologist meet me in a library, or a shady hotel, and we record face to face, but time was of the essence here. He had a landline, raring to chat, we went for it. I did not know this ology was an ology until the day before we did this interview. Okay, we're gonna get to it. As always, thank you, Patrons for the for fielding my post, “hey, should I record a really quick voting episode this week?” with your resounding yeses. I love you, thank you for supporting the show. OlogiesMerch has shirts and hats if you need ‘em. And thank you everyone for leaving reviews and ratings, including San Rey [phonetic] who called this podcast, “Sherlock Holmes dressed in street wear.” I will take that. Also, you're assuming that I'm wearing pants... Quick plug also, I have a brand new show on Netflix that dropped today! It's called Brainchild, it's produced by Pharrell Williams and the folks at Atomic Entertainment. I’m in every episode popping up to explain science while also wearing a metallic suit and a beehive.
    [Show full text]
  • Ukraine Law on Elections of the People's Deputies Of
    Strasbourg, 23 May 2016 CDL-REF(2016)040 Engl. only Opinion no. 846 / 2016 EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) UKRAINE LAW1 ON ELECTIONS OF THE PEOPLE’S DEPUTIES OF UKRAINE 1 Unofficial OSCE/ODIHR translation This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. www.venice.coe.int 2 CDL-REF(2016)040 Law On Elections of the People’s Deputies of Ukraine (Bulletin of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (BVR), 2012, № 10-11, p. 73) {On recognizing certain provisions as unconstitutional see the Constitutional Court Decision № 7-rp/2012 dd. 04.04.2012 № 8-rp/2012 dd. 05.04.2012} {As amended pursuant to the Laws № 5463-VI dd. 16.10.2012, BVR, 2014, № 4, p. 61 № 245-VII dd. 16.05.2013, BVR, 2014, № 12, p. 178 № 709-VII dd. 21.11.2013, BVR, 2014, № 22, p. 794 № 1184-VII dd. 08.04.2014, BVR, 2014, № 18-19, p. 696 № 1227-VII dd. 17.04.2014, BVR, 2014, № 27, p. 904} Chapter I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1. Basic Principles of Elections of Members of Parliament of Ukraine 1. The People’s Deputies of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as “MPs”) shall be elected by citizens of Ukraine on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret voting. 2. The quantitative composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is 450 MPs. 3. The election of MPs shall be conducted on the basis of a mixed (proportional-majority) electoral system: 1) 225 MPs shall be elected on the basis of a proportional system in a nationwide multi-member election district (hereinafter, nationwide election district) under electoral lists of MP candidates (hereinafter, electoral lists) from political parties (hereinafter, parties); 2) 225 MPs shall be elected on the basis of a simple majority system in single-mandate election districts (hereinafter, single-mandate election districts).
    [Show full text]
  • The Administrators of Democracy: a Research Note on Local Election
    Donald P. Moynihan University of Wisconsin – Madison Carol L. Silva University of Oklahoma Special PAR Th e Administrators of Democracy: A Research Note on Symposium on Election Local Election Offi cials Administration Donald P. Moynihan is an associate Local election offi cials are the administrators of demo- for election administration and the role of local offi - professor in the La Follette School of Public cracy, but we know little about their views. Th is paper cials as implementers of those requirements. Th e data Affairs at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. His research examines the draws from two national surveys of local election offi cials. come from two surveys undertaken in the aftermath application of organization theory to public Th e authors fi nd that local election offi cials generally of the 2004 and 2006 elections. Th e surveys were management issues such as performance, support the goals of the federal Help America Vote Act sponsored by the Congressional Research Service and homeland security, election administration, and employee behavior. He is the author of but are less enthusiastic about the actual impact of the form the basis of two reports to Congress. Th is paper The Dynamics of Performance Management: legislation. Implementation theory helps explain their is distinct from those reports in that it tests how im- Constructing Information and Reform evaluation of federal reforms. Goal congruence with plementation theory can explain LEO attitudes to- (Georgetown University Press, 2008). E-mail: [email protected] reform mandates, resource availability, and a willingness ward HAVA. Th e Government Accountability Offi ce to accept federal involvement predicts support for these ( GAO 2001, 2006 ; formerly the General Accounting Carol L.
    [Show full text]
  • Split-Ticket Voting at the Combined General and Local Elections in 2015
    Split-ticket voting at the combined General and Local Elections in 2015 Colin Rallings, Michael Thrasher, Galina Borisyuk and Michael Turner The Elections Centre, University of Plymouth, UK Paper presented to the Elections, Public Opinion and Parties Annual Conference, University of Cardiff, September 11th-13th September, 2015. Introduction The 2015 general election is the fifth successive occasion that the parliamentary vote coincided with local elections across England. It was only the second time, however, when the general election occurred at the peak of the local electoral cycle which saw voters in 279 local authorities re-electing their councils. The first such occasion, in May 1979, also brought success for the Conservative party in what is undeniably the party’s traditional heartland. This is an important feature of both the 1979 and 2015 elections that arguably went largely unnoticed in the run-up to these joint elections. In a majority of local councils conducting elections in these years voters select councillors in multimember wards. This means that rather than placing a single cross against one candidate’s name each elector can vote multiple times, dependent upon the number of vacant seats at stake. In 2015, the maximum number was three vacancies. In such cases, participants would have four choices to make – a single choice for the parliamentary election and up to three candidates standing in the local election. There were real opportunities, therefore, for some voters to divide these choices across different types of candidate and different parties. In short, the conditions were ripe for split-ticket voting, an important characteristic of the election which undoubtedly contributed to voters’ behavior and hence the outcome.
    [Show full text]
  • Amicus Briefs
    Nos. 19-1257 & 19-1258 In the Supreme Court of the United States MARK BRNOVICH, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARIZONA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, ET AL., Respondents. ARIZONA REPUBLICAN PARTY, ET AL., Petitioners, v. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, ET AL., Respondents. On Writs of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE EMPIRICAL ELECTIONS SCHOLARS IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS MAXWELL V. PRITT Counsel of Record ALEXANDER J. HOLTZMAN BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP 44 Montgomery Street, 41st Floor San Francisco, CA 94104 (415) 293-6800 [email protected] i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTEREST OF AMICI CURIAE ....................... 1 SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT ................... 2 ARGUMENT .................................................... 5 I. Voter Fraud, Including Absentee Ballot Fraud, Is Exceedingly Rare in U.S. Elections. ........................................... 6 A. Social Scientific Studies .................................. 7 B. Government Data, Investigations, and Reports ........................................................... 12 C. Other Sources of Data on Election and Voter Fraud ................................................... 19 II. Arizona’s Ballot Collection Ban Is Untethered To Any Actual—and Unlikely—Threat of Ballot Collector Fraud. ...................................................... 22 A. There Is No Evidence of Fraud in the Long History of Third-Party Ballot Collection in Arizona. .................................... 22 B. More Broadly, Voter Fraud
    [Show full text]
  • Part X Local Elections
    PART X: LOCAL ELECTIONS 1. Federal Guidelines for Electing Union Officers UNION CONVERED BY THE ELECTION PROVISIONS OF THE ACT Title IV of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as Amended (LMRDA or the act) established election procedures that must be followed by all unions covered by the act, regardless of whether their constitutions and bylaws so provide. The act does not spell out detailed procedures; rather, it sets minimum requirements. Beyond this, elections are to be conducted according to the constitutions and bylaws of each union, as long as the union’s rules do not conflict with the provisions of the act. The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act applies primarily to unions that represent employees in private industry. WHO MUST BE ELECTED AND HOW OFTEN Offices to be Filled and How Often The act requires that all officers be elected. The act defines the term “officer” as “any constitutional officer, any person authorized to perform the functions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or other executive functions of a labor organization, and any member of its executive board or similar governing body.” A constitutional officer is any person holding a position identified as an officer by the constitution and bylaws of the union. All constitutional officers must be elected, even if they do not perform any executive functions. The major union offices (the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and members of executive boards or similar governing bodies) must be filled by election. In addition, any person who has executive or policy making authority or responsibility must be elected even though he or she may not occupy a position identified as an officer position under the union’s constitution and bylaws.
    [Show full text]