Good To Know: MN Losing A Seat In Congress?

Byline: Don Shelby
Source: WCCO
Date: December 1, 2008

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Minnesota's state demographer said today that population shifts by the next census may cause our state to lose one Congressional seat. Don Shelby said there is not much we can do to change the population figures, but there is something we can do to make the process of redistricting more fair.

Minnesota has eight Congressional seats. Seats in Congress are decided on population within a district. That requirement is in the Constitution.

Right now two suburban districts have grown enormously. Districts 2 and 6 are together about 150,000 people larger than they're supposed to be.

In the meantime, Districts 4, 5, 7 and 8 are losing population. They are between 30,000 and 40,000 smaller than they are supposed to be. If the trend continues, Minnesota is bound to lose a seat in Congress. Then the question, who draws the new district lines and will politics play a role?

The Humphrey Institute has come up with a plan to allow a non-partisan panel to make a recommendation to the legislature for an up or down vote. Losing a seat in Congress is a bitter pill, but a fair process will make it easier to swallow.