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Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State <br /> 2021 Redistricting Guide <br />21 <br />those sources are available on the OSS Redistricting webpage (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration- <br />campaigns/election-administration/redistricting/). <br />4.3.2.3 Changes due to annexations <br />Municipalities will need to identify any annexations that have occurred since the completion of the Census’s TIGER/Line <br />database on January 1, 2020. For redistricting purposes, they may choose to adjust the populations of areas received <br />from the Census accordingly. <br />4.3.2.4 Provide information to local officials and media <br />It is important that information relevant to local government redistricting be shared among all those involved with <br />redistricting. This includes providing information to local media about the redistricting process and outcomes. <br />Redistricting elective districts is an important component in the American political system and should be an open and <br />visible process. <br />4.3.2.5 Acquire maps of school districts (Required) <br />All municipalities are required to acquire maps of any school district with territory within their municipal boundaries <br />within 21 days of the completion of state legislative redistricting, and before reestablishing precincts. Sources for school <br />district maps include the school district itself, county offices, and the state Department of Education’s Maps webpage <br />(https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/Maps/). Municipalities should verify the source(s) of school district maps before <br />redistricting begins. (M.R. 8255.0015) <br />To simplify election day activities, cities may want to consider their ability to draw precinct boundaries to follow school <br />district boundaries when possible. Administering precincts that are split by school districts sometimes leads to confusion <br />on election day, especially when voters are given the incorrect ballot style by election judges. If a voter does not get an <br />opportunity to vote on a race or question, it may result in them being disenfranchised. Conversely, voters outside the <br />district may get the opportunity to vote on races or questions they are not eligible to vote on. <br />4.3.2.6 Identify and evaluate existing and potential polling places <br />Before redistricting, it is a good practice to identify and evaluate existing and potential polling places. If the new <br />legislative boundaries do not follow existing precincts within a municipality, it is advisable to know ahead of time where <br />potential polling places exist that meet all state and federal requirements. <br />Many cities may find it easier to first identify their potential polling places and then draw precincts around where they <br />have a polling place. It may be harder to first draw precincts then try to find polling places for each one. Be aware that <br />formal city council action is necessary to establish precinct boundaries before establishing polling places. For more <br />information, see the Polling Places section. <br />4.3.2.7 Receive state redistricting plans from county auditor <br />The county auditor is required to send a copy of relevant portions of state legislative and congressional redistricting <br />plans to each municipal clerk within their county. <br />The Secretary of State’s office will be providing information including maps about the official legislative and <br />congressional plans to each county auditor. The statutes do not explicitly define how, or in what format, the county <br />auditor must provide relevant portions of state redistricting plans to municipal clerks. Municipalities should work with <br />their county auditor to identify the best format to receive state redistricting plans. (M.S. 2.91 subd. 1) <br />After adoption of the state redistricting plan, the Secretary of State is the official depository of that information. While <br />copies of plans may be available from many other sources, it is strongly recommended that cities use only information <br />that has been provided to their county auditor from the Secretary of State, or information that has been sent directly to <br />the municipality from the Secretary of State. Any changes in legislative plans as a result of court action or changes <br />ordered by the Secretary of State may not be reflected in information available from other sources. (M.S. 2.91 subd. 1)