Redistricting

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of election districts to ensure that the people of each district are equally represented. This process begins once the federal census is completed every 10 years. Using data from the 2020 Census, new boundaries will be determined that reflect population growth and shifts over the past decade and create new boundaries so each district has approximately the same number of people.

The Minnesota State Legislature is responsible for redistricting Minnesota's congressional districts, Minnesota Senate and House districts, and Metropolitan Council districts. Local governments are responsible for redistricting the remaining election districts, such as county commissioners, school boards, and city council wards. Redistricting at the city level must be complete by March 29, 2022. New ward and precinct boundaries will be in effect for the state primary election in August.

Timeline of Events

September 2021 - Census Data Released
February 2022 - Legislative Redistricting
March 2022 - Precinct Establishment
April 2022 - County and School Boundaries Redistricting
May 2022 - State and County Candidate Filing
August 2022 - State Primary Election

Population Table

The ideal population after 2022 redistricting is 23,407 plus/minus 1 per ward. *This was the census population prior to the subsequent redistricting in 2002 and 2012.
Ward	Population 2000*	Population 2010*	Population 2020
1	15,885	16,091	19,822
2	13,686	24,784	21,426
3	15,371	16,311	28,974
Total	44,942	57,186	70,222

Wards are portions of a city represented by a specific elected official on the city council and must be as equal in population as possible. Composed of a mayor and six councilmembers, the Blaine City Council includes seven elected officials, two from each of the City’s three wards, with the Mayor elected at-large.

Based on data from the 2020 census, the City of Blaine’s population grew by 13,036 to 70,222 residents – almost a 23 percent increase in the City’s population since the 2010 census.

Redistricting will help rebalance the population in each of Blaine’s wards, which should ideally include approximately 23,407 residents per ward with a maximum deviation of 5 percent.

Different from wards, precincts are geographical areas used for elections and help determine where a resident votes and who and what is on a voter's ballot. Votes are tallied and reported by precincts throughout the country. Once ward boundaries are determined, precincts will be identified or reestablished. Any changes that may occur to current voting precincts and polling places will be shared with voters.

More information on redistricting can be found at the Secretary of State's Office and the Minnesota Legislature.

Understanding the Redistricting Process

Final Plan Adopted

At the March 7 regular meeting, the City Council selected one preferred option and two alternate options for revised ward boundaries. The options were posted online for public comment and input prior to Council’s final consideration and adoption on March 21, and the final plan and newly designated polling places was forwarded to the Secretary of State and Anoka County Elections prior to the March 29, 2022, statutory deadline. Next steps will include sharing polling place changes with residents through the City’s website, newsletter, social media, and events.