Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of election districts to ensure that the people of each district are equally represented. It is done in the US after the completion of Congressional reapportionment of, which decides how many seats each state has in the 435 member House of Representatives. Redistricting happens every 10 years following the Decennial Census.
In Minnesota, the state legislature has constitutional responsibility for redistricting Minnesota's Congressional districts, as well as Minnesota Senate and House districts, and Metropolitan Council districts. Local governments are responsible for redistricting other election districts:
- County boards are responsible for redistricting county commissioner districts
- City councils are responsible for redistricting city wards
- School boards are responsible for redistricting board member districts
In addition, during the redistricting time period, cities and townships will establish (or reestablish) their precinct boundaries as part of the redistricting process, as will counties that have unorganized territory.