Census and Redistricting

Redistricting
LWV Minnesota's Census and Redistricting Timeline

The U.S. Census is a population count of every person residing in the U.S. It is completed, as required in the constitution, every 10 years. The census has a great impact on our everday lives.

Quick Census Facts:

Each year more than $400 billion dollars is allocated to states based upon census numbers including money for roads, schools, bridges, and health care.
Business use census numbers to determine where they should open new stores
Census numbers also determine the number of congressional seats Minnesota will have. Currently, Minnesota is at risk of losing a congressional seat.
In 2000, nearly 14,000 Minnesotans were not counted resulting in millions of dollars not coming into our state to support our residents.

Recent News:

2010 Census: Less fuss, less nosiness - Dec. 14, 2009

Counting young men poses great challenge for Census - Dec. 11, 2009

Senate urge Census Bureau to hire unemployed - Dec. 3, 2009

Are northern states being cheated? - Dec. 1, 2009

2010 Census will count same-sex couples - Nov. 25, 2009

Police: Hanged Ky. census worker died at own hands - Nov. 25, 2009

Prison in Somerset County, Maryland impacting elected representation - Nov. 23, 2009

Cities, counties prepare Census appeals - Nov. 18, 2009

2010 U.S. Census Survey Could Paint New Portrait of America - Nov. 16, 2009

Census distorts data in count of prison population - Nov. 15, 2009

Older News

Why the 2010 Census?

New census data suggests that Minnesota will lose congressional seat in next reapportionment:

LWV Minnesota members are engaged in ensuring a complete and accurate count of all Minnesotans. LWV local Leagues are working in their communities on the census. Interested in joining with us on ensuring an accurate count? Contact us!

Resources on the Census

LWVMN Resources
LWV Minnesota's Census and Redistricting Timeline
LWVMN Census Presentation

Websites
Minnesota Participation Project: Includes language assistance guides in over 50 languages!
Minnesota 2010 Census
Nonprofits Count!
US Census Bureau-2010 Census

Resources for Effective Communication
State Voices - Effective Census Communication
Census FAQs
What's at Stake-Nonprofits Count
The ABC's of Public Dialogue - Provides information on holding a meaningful public forum.
The Ford Foundation - Increasing Census participation in hard-to-count areas
Informational Videos in English, Hmong, Spanish, and Somali
Motivate Undercounted Populations

Sample Census Forms
2010 English Census Form (Informational purposes only)
2010 Bilingual Census Form (Informational purposes only)

Data
Hard-to-Count Mapper - Identify hard-to-count areas in your city

Census Outreach Materials
Resources for Families
Resources for Teachers
Census in Schools Program
Outreach Toolkits

Why Redistricting?

Redistricting is the process by which new district lines are drawn based upon how many congressional seats each state has been apportioned following a census. Redistricting has been troubled historically, mainly by a process of drawing the lines to favor a particular group in a process called gerrymandering. Each state, including Minnesota, decides the way in which redistricting occurs for that state as long as it adheres to national redistricting law.

LWV Minnesota, with the Midwest Democracy Network Partners, is planning redistricting reform efforts throughout the country and state. If you are interested in assisting or finding out how redistricting impacts your community, contact us.

What can I do to ensure a fair, nonpartisan redistricting of my congressional, state legislature and local districts?

Right now, the most important thing you can do is to ensure that everyone in your community is counted in the upcoming 2010 Census.
Contact LWV Minnesota to see what the redistricting process will look like in your community.
Check our timeline for upcoming redistricting events.
Educate yourself about redistricting in your community. LWV Minnesota has detailed information to assist in your redistricting planning.
Sign up to get redistricting information in your community and be part of our list of community members interested in fair, nonpartisan redistricting in Minnesota!
Play Redistricting-The Game! to learn more about the process

Redistricting Resources

League of Women Voters United States-Redistricting Reform
Citizen's Guide to Redistricting-Brennan Center for Justice
Redistricting the Nation - Gerrymandered districts at the city, state, and federal level
Redistricting the Game!

Recent News

League of Women Voters of Illinois lead change to Illinois' redistricting process - Dec. 03, 2009
Enlisting the web in redistricting wars - Nov. 17, 2009
Gerrymandering, Pure and Corrupt - Nov. 11, 2009