HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.03.14 CC Packet - Redistricting
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Presentation of Proposed Wards and Precincts
D. Council Discussion
E. Direction to Staff
F. Adjournment
Agenda
HUGO CITY COUNCIL
REDISTRICTING WORKSHOP
HUGO CITY HALL
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022 – 5 P.M.
Memorandum
To: Mayor and Council
From: Michele Lindau, City Clerk
Date: March 10, 2022, for Redistricting Workshop on March 14, 2022
Re: Redistricting
Background
City governments must reestablish all wards and precincts after state redistricting. This
could be a routine process of verifying that existing ward and precinct boundaries meet
legal requirements and then reconfirming those boundaries. Cities may also find this to be
a good time to realign precincts to eliminate precincts split by school districts, adjust,
add, or remove precincts to accommodate population changes, or to change polling
places.
At the redistricting workshop, staff will present data on the 2020 census count. Staff will
propose Council reestablish existing ward boundaries and establish new precinct
boundaries and polling locations.
Key Dates
March 21, 2022, Council meeting - Staff will recommend Council approve a
resolution establishing municipal ward and precinct boundaries. This must be
done by March 29, 2022.
Early July, 2022 - County will send postcards to all voters informing them of their
ward, precinct, and polling location.
August 2, 2022 to August 16, 2022 – Candidate filing period
August 9, 2022 – State Primary
November 8, 2022 - General Election
Attachments
Secretary of State Redistricting Guide as it pertains to cities. I have heighted
sections on ward and precinct requirements.
Map showing proposed precinct boundaries and polling locations.
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3.0 CITY WARDS
3.1 What are wards?
Wards are portions of a city that are represented by specific elected official(s) on the city council. These council
members are elected by the voters who live within that ward. Of the 853 cities in Minnesota, approximately 70 use
wards for electing council members, including 8 of the 10 largest cities in the state. In other cities, voters in the entire
city vote for all councilmembers, which is known as “at-large.” Cities with wards are always organized as charter cities.
Cities with wards must redistrict their wards after the federal census, and must make the wards’ populations as equal as
practicable. This process has an impact on a city’s precincts and thus is often done in conjunction with precinct
reestablishment. See the Precincts section for details about precincts and their reestablishment.
3.2 Ward requirements
Wards must be drawn to satisfy statutory requirements for boundaries as well as population. City charters may also
specify additional requirements for the wards within a city beyond what is presented here.
3.2.1 Ward boundaries
Wards must be drawn to meet statutory requirements about their boundaries. These requirements influence the
geography of the ward districts. These requirements include that:
• Wards are bounded by precinct lines,
• Wards are compact in area,
• Wards are composed of contiguous territory.
(M.S. 204B.14, subd. 1, 205.84)
While it is no longer required that precinct boundaries follow Census block boundaries or physical features, it may be
helpful administratively. Using Census block boundaries allows a city to get definite populations for each precinct or
ward. Using physical features for boundaries also helps to make it clear to the public where a precinct or ward begins
and ends.
Note that Census blocks will not reflect any municipal annexation after January 1, 2020. If a city has annexed territory
since that date, the precinct and ward plans should be written to include any annexed areas. However, the population of
the recently annexed area may be difficult to accurately determine (see below for more information).
3.2.2 Ward population
Wards must be as equal in population as practicable. (M.S. 205.84 subd. 1)
It may not be possible to draw wards that are exactly equal in population. Situations where wards may have unequal
population are:
• The total population of the city is not divisible by the number of wards, or
• The population totals within census blocks do not provide refined enough numbers to draw equal population
wards.
For the purpose of redistricting wards, the city must use the population counts that are certified by the U.S. Census
Bureau and reflect the city’s population as of April 1, 2020. Therefore, the city does not necessarily need to consider any
annexation of population after the completion of the decennial census. However, case law has established that in some
situations a city may consider post-census population changes or imminent development when redistricting wards.
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The obvious problem in considering the population in territory annexed after the date of the census is the difficulty of
precisely determining the size of that population. If an annexation includes an entire census block, population for that
block is easy to determine. However, if a partial census block is annexed, the city may need to use another method to
determine the population of the annexed area.
Since it is not possible to get an official population count for a portion of a census block, the city may form an estimate
of the actual resident population annexed. However, if an estimate is used the city will need to be able to document
how that estimate was developed in order to withstand a possible court challenge to the city’s redistricting plan.
If the total population of the census block would not cause the population of the ward to exceed Constitutional
requirements, it may be sufficient to simply proceed as though the entire population of the census block were annexed
for the purpose of calculating ward population.
3.3 Ward redistricting process
The ward redistricting process generally happens at the same time as the precinct establishment process, Cities should
also review the information about precinct establishment, especially the section on Municipalities with multiple
precincts.
3.3.1 Review city charter or policies
The city charter or official policies should be reviewed to determine if the city has established any specific redistricting
related procedures, policies, or requirements in addition to those specified in state law. If there are any conflicts
between the city’s charter or policies and Minnesota law, cities should work with the city attorney to determine how
best to reconcile the conflicts.
3.3.2 Acquire census block population data
Population is a major consideration when evaluating and redistricting city wards. It is no longer required to draw
precincts on census block boundaries, however doing so simplifies the calculation of ward population totals. To use
census block population data it is necessary to have a map indicating block boundaries and the unique number for each
census block.
See Appendix for more information about Census data
3.3.3 Describing ward boundaries
There are many ways to describe ward boundaries. If a single feature (road, river, etc.) is the division between wards, it
may be sufficient to define the wards in relation to that feature, for example “those portions of the city east of Main
Street,” or “north of Clearwater Creek.” However, when ward boundaries follow multiple features, a metes and bounds
description may be the best way to make the boundary clear.
A metes and bounds description is one that describes the boundaries of the wards in such a way that a person could
walk the described boundary. An example from the past described a portion of the Metropolitan Council’s 6th District:
“The sixth council district consists of that portion of Hennepin county consisting of the cities of Golden
Valley and St. Louis Park and that portion of the city of Minneapolis lying west and south of a line
described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the southern boundary of the city of
Minneapolis and Interstate Highway 35W, northerly along Interstate Highway 35W to Minnehaha
Parkway, northeasterly along Minnehaha Parkway to 50th Street E., westerly along 50th Street E. to
Stevens Avenue S., northerly along Stevens Avenue S. to 46th Street E., westerly along 46th Street E. to
Nicollet Avenue S., northerly along Nicollet Avenue S. to 36th Street W…”
A metes and bounds description may be preferable because it:
• is more easily understood by people unfamiliar with the city, and
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• refers to relatively permanent features, not features which tend to change over time such as precincts.
When a ward redistricting plan is approved, any reference to a municipal or precinct boundary refers to that boundary
on the day the plan is approved. It is not uncommon for municipal boundaries to change. A metes and bounds
description may help to reinforce that when an annexation has occurred, a change in precincts and wards also has
occurred.
3.3.4 Public involvement
It is recommended that cities solicit public involvement in the redistricting process. Public involvement may include
multiple meetings during which the council considers a variety of redistricting plans, including those submitted by
members of the public.
3.3.5 Dates for establishing wards
3.3.5.1 Cities with council members elected by ward
A city may not redistrict its wards before the state legislative redistricting plan has been adopted, except for first class
cities electing council members by ward in 2021--see below for that situation. Once the state legislative districting has
occurred, the city must redistrict its wards, along with its precincts, within 60 days of legislative redistricting or by March
29, 2022, whichever comes first. (M.S. 204B.135 subd. 1)
An ordinance establishing new ward boundaries becomes effective on August 9, 2022, the date of the state primary
election. (M.S. 205.84 subd. 2)
If the state legislative redistricting plan is adopted and/or any court challenges are resolved less than 19 weeks before
the state primary in a year ending in two (after March 29 in 2022), there are alternate dates and procedures for
redistricting or reestablishing local government elective districts. For more information on the alternate dates and
procedures refer to Appendix A or contact the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office.
3.3.5.2 First class cities with council members elected by ward in 2021
First class cities that will elect their council members by ward in 2021 may reestablish their ward boundaries no later
than 14 days before the start of candidate filing. For cities with a primary possible, the filing period opens May 18, 2021,
so the deadline is May 4, 2021. For cities without a primary possible, the filing period opens July 27, 2021, so the
deadline is July 13, 2021. The new ward boundaries take effect on the date of the municipal primary, August 10, 2021. In
this circumstance, precinct boundaries may be reestablished within four weeks of the adoption of ward boundaries. The
ward boundaries may be modified after the legislature has been redistricted for the purpose of establishing precinct
boundaries. (M.S. 204B.135, subd. 1; 204B.14, subd. 3(c); 205.84)
3.4 Giving notice
3.4.1 Publish and post ward plan
While it is not specifically required to publish or post ward redistricting plans it is a good practice to publish and post
plans to make them as widely available to the public as possible. If precincts are changed in the course of redistricting
ward boundaries, follow precinct notification guidelines.
3.4.2 Notification of county and state
In most cases, a change in ward boundaries will also require a change in precinct boundaries, which requires notification
of the county auditor and secretary of state. Cities that incorporate ward designations into their precinct names (e.g.
“Ward 1 Precinct 1”) do not need to do any additional notification of their ward boundaries. In situations where precinct
names do not reference the ward to which they belong, the city clerk should provide the county auditor with
information about which precincts are in which wards. (M.S. 204B.14, subd. 5)
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3.5 Ward redistricting and the City Council
3.5.1 Residence in ward
When elected, a member of the city council must be, and remain, a resident of the ward they represent.
If redistricting causes a ward boundary to move, and that boundary change causes a council member’s residence to be
shifted into another ward, the council member is allowed to continue to serve for the remainder of their term. However,
if the council member runs for re-election, they will need to become a resident of the ward they represent. (M.S. 205.84,
subd. 2)
3.5.2 First class cities without staggered council terms
Notwithstanding any home rule charter provision to the contrary, in a city of the first class where council members are
elected by ward to serve for four years to terms that are not staggered, if the population of any ward changes by five
percent or more, all council members must be elected to new terms at the first municipal general election after ward
boundaries are redefined. However, if no municipal general election would otherwise occur in 2022 or 2023, a municipal
general election must be held in one of those years. (M.S. 205.84, subd. 1(b))
3.5.3 Failure to redistrict
Minnesota statutes provides a penalty if the city council fails to either confirm that existing wards meet statutory
requirements, or redistrict wards to meet statutory requirements. The city council must take an action to either formally
reconfirm or change ward boundaries within the time frames provided in law. In the event that the council fails to act in
time, no further compensation shall be paid to the mayor or council members until such time as they act. (M.S. 205.84
subd. 2)
3.6 Voter’s right to contest
Minnesota law provides guidance to citizens of their right to contest local government election district plans. A voter
wishing to contest a city ward redistricting plan or compel redistricting must file with the district court in the county by
the appropriate date:
• If the redistricting plan is approved before March 29, 2022, the voter must file within three weeks, but no later
than April 5, 2022;
• If the redistricting plan is approved after March 29, 2022, the voter must file within one week of adoption.
Consult with the city attorney for additional information regarding the procedures for ward redistricting contests. (M.S.
204B.135 subds. 1 and 3 (a) and (b))
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4.0 PRECINCTS
4.1 What are precincts?
Precincts are the basic geographical areas for organizing and administering elections. For example, separate ballot styles
are created for each precinct, separate voting rosters are created for each precinct, and votes are tallied by precinct.
Precinct boundaries are established by the governing body of each municipality, and the county board in unorganized
territories. City councils and township boards establish precinct boundaries as the result of various requirements in state
statutes and also to suit the needs of the community. At a minimum, each municipality must be at least one precinct;
additional precincts are necessary if the municipality is divided by a county, county commissioner, legislative or
congressional district boundary. Within these broad requirements, municipalities may create as many or as few precincts
as suits the community.
4.2 Precinct requirements
4.2.1 Precinct boundaries
At a minimum, each city, township or county’s unorganized territory must be at least one precinct.
One precinct cannot be split between more than one:
•County
•Congressional district
•Legislative district
•City ward
A jurisdiction split by legislative or congressional districts during redistricting will need to adjust its precinct boundaries
to follow the legislative and congressional district boundaries as defined in the state redistricting legislation. (M.S.
204B.14)
For the decade following the redistricting of county commissioner districts, precincts must not cross county
commissioner district boundaries. (M.S. 375.025 subd. 1)
4.2.2 Population
Precincts are not tied to population size. However, precincts with large numbers of registered voters can become
difficult to manage. While there is no specific threshold that covers all situations statewide, a small percentage of
precincts have over 2,000 registered voters.
4.2.3 Available polling places
Polling places must be in or near the precinct they are for, with certain exceptions. Although precincts are officially
established first and polling places second, it may be helpful to identify polling places before establishing precinct
boundaries. See the Polling Places section for more information.
4.2.4 Other non-required considerations
Although precincts may be made up of non-contiguous portions of the city, it is recommended to avoid this if possible.
One reason is to make the redistricting of county commissioner districts easier, following the establishment of precincts.
Whenever a precinct exists which is made up of multiple parts, all parts of that precinct must be contained within a
single county commissioner district, which may significantly limit where the county can draw commissioner districts.
(M.S. 375.025 subd. 1)
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Within these requirements, governing bodies may create as many or as few precincts as necessary for the community.
Unlike elective districts, voting precincts are based on administrative convenience and may contain a large or small
population. However, precincts containing more than 2,000 registered voters can become unwieldy for election
administration purposes.
There are benefits to drawing precinct lines to follow census block boundaries. Municipal wards and county
commissioner districts must be approximately equal in population. The only way to ensure that the districts are
balanced by population is to know the census count for the precincts making up the districts, and the only way to know
with any certainty the population count of the precincts is to use census blocks as the basis for setting precinct
boundaries. Additionally, the legislative and congressional plans will use census blocks exclusively to draw district
boundaries. Precincts abutting legislative or congressional districts must use at least some census block geography in
order to match the district boundaries.
The county board establishes precincts in unorganized territories. At minimum, the unorganized territories in the county
must be at least one precinct, and additional precincts are necessary if a congressional or legislative boundary divides
the unorganized territory. Beyond this, counties are free to create as many or as few precincts as is appropriate for the
community and election administration.
4.3 Precincts and the redistricting process
4.3.1 Precinct freeze
Normally the governing body may make changes to precinct boundaries at any time before December 1 of the odd year.
However, state election law freezes all precinct boundary lines from January 1, 2020 until after legislative and
congressional redistricting is completed. The statutes establishing the precinct freeze allow two exceptions to the freeze
period: to accommodate an annexation or to divide an existing precinct. (M.S. 204B.14)
1.In the first exception, if a city annexes an area located in the same county as the city and the annexed area is
adjacent to the city boundary the annexed area may be included in a precinct immediately adjacent to it.
However, to include the recently annexed area into the city precinct all other statutory requirements such as not
crossing legislative, congressional, or county commissioner districts still apply. The statutes do not provide an
exception for including a non-adjacent annexation into a city precinct. (M.S. 204B.14 subd. 3 (a))
2.The second exception provides that a municipality or county may split an existing precinct. To do this the newly
established precincts must not extend beyond the boundaries of the original precinct. Additionally, the names of
the new precincts must include the name of the former precinct. (M.S. 204B.14 subd. 3 (b))
4.3.2 Preparation
4.3.2.1 Review city charter or policies
Before redistricting, the city charter or official policies should be reviewed to determine if the municipality has
established any specific redistricting related tasks. This is particularly true for cities with wards, whose charter may have
ward requirements in addition to those specified in law. If there are any conflicts between the city charter or policies
and Minnesota law, municipalities should work with their attorney to determine how best to reconcile the conflicts.
4.3.2.2 Clarify roles, responsibilities, duties, and expectations
It is a good practice within your municipality to clarify and define the roles, responsibilities, duties, and redistricting-
related expectations of the municipal clerk, staff, council/board, and/or other groups before redistricting begins. An
agreement on who will do what tasks and when may safeguard everyone involved from unintentionally overstepping the
tasks others are intending to do.
It is a good idea for those with redistricting responsibilities to learn as much as they can about the redistricting process.
Reviewing this guide is just one step in the learning process. There are many sources for additional information. Some of
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those sources are available on the OSS Redistricting webpage (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-
campaigns/election-administration/redistricting/).
4.3.2.3 Changes due to annexations
Municipalities will need to identify any annexations that have occurred since the completion of the Census’s TIGER/Line
database on January 1, 2020. For redistricting purposes, they may choose to adjust the populations of areas received
from the Census accordingly.
4.3.2.4 Provide information to local officials and media
It is important that information relevant to local government redistricting be shared among all those involved with
redistricting. This includes providing information to local media about the redistricting process and outcomes.
Redistricting elective districts is an important component in the American political system and should be an open and
visible process.
4.3.2.5 Acquire maps of school districts (Required)
All municipalities are required to acquire maps of any school district with territory within their municipal boundaries
within 21 days of the completion of state legislative redistricting, and before reestablishing precincts. Sources for school
district maps include the school district itself, county offices, and the state Department of Education’s Maps webpage
(https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/Maps/). Municipalities should verify the source(s) of school district maps before
redistricting begins. (M.R. 8255.0015)
To simplify election day activities, cities may want to consider their ability to draw precinct boundaries to follow school
district boundaries when possible. Administering precincts that are split by school districts sometimes leads to confusion
on election day, especially when voters are given the incorrect ballot style by election judges. If a voter does not get an
opportunity to vote on a race or question, it may result in them being disenfranchised. Conversely, voters outside the
district may get the opportunity to vote on races or questions they are not eligible to vote on.
4.3.2.6 Identify and evaluate existing and potential polling places
Before redistricting, it is a good practice to identify and evaluate existing and potential polling places. If the new
legislative boundaries do not follow existing precincts within a municipality, it is advisable to know ahead of time where
potential polling places exist that meet all state and federal requirements.
Many cities may find it easier to first identify their potential polling places and then draw precincts around where they
have a polling place. It may be harder to first draw precincts then try to find polling places for each one. Be aware that
formal city council action is necessary to establish precinct boundaries before establishing polling places. For more
information, see the Polling Places section.
4.3.2.7 Receive state redistricting plans from county auditor
The county auditor is required to send a copy of relevant portions of state legislative and congressional redistricting
plans to each municipal clerk within their county.
The Secretary of State’s office will be providing information including maps about the official legislative and
congressional plans to each county auditor. The statutes do not explicitly define how, or in what format, the county
auditor must provide relevant portions of state redistricting plans to municipal clerks. Municipalities should work with
their county auditor to identify the best format to receive state redistricting plans. (M.S. 2.91 subd. 1)
After adoption of the state redistricting plan, the Secretary of State is the official depository of that information. While
copies of plans may be available from many other sources, it is strongly recommended that cities use only information
that has been provided to their county auditor from the Secretary of State, or information that has been sent directly to
the municipality from the Secretary of State. Any changes in legislative plans as a result of court action or changes
ordered by the Secretary of State may not be reflected in information available from other sources. (M.S. 2.91 subd. 1)
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4.3.2.8 Receive corrections, if any, of state plans
After adoption of the state redistricting plan, the Secretary of State reviews the plan for errors. If errors are discovered,
the Secretary of State has the responsibility to notify the municipal clerk and candidates for office in the affected area. If
an error is discovered, the Secretary of State will work directly with any affected municipal clerk at that time. (M.S. 2.91
subd. 3)
If municipalities discover errors in the state legislative or congressional district plans they should immediately notify the
Secretary of State’s Office by sending a description of the error along with a map of the affected area.
4.3.2.9 Posting state redistricting plans
While not specifically required, it is recommended that municipal clerks post copies of the relevant portions of state
legislative and congressional redistricting plans to provide information about the new state districts to the public. This
may be particularly important in areas where district boundaries have changed and where voters may have questions
about the new plans.
4.3.3 Describing precinct boundaries
There are different ways to describe precinct boundaries, depending on the situation. In a municipality with only one
precinct, the precinct boundaries may be defined as following the municipal boundaries. However, when a municipality
has two or more precincts, another method is needed for describing the precinct boundaries that split the municipality.
Although it is no longer required that precinct boundaries follow physical features, it may make describing precinct
boundaries easier.
If a municipality uses a single road, or other feature, as the boundary between precincts, it may be sufficient to define
the precincts in relation to that feature, as in “those portions of the city east of Main Street,” or “north of Clearwater
Creek.” However, when precinct boundaries follow multiple features, or there are numerous precincts in the
municipality, a metes and bounds description may be the best description.
A metes and bounds description is one that describes the boundaries of a precinct in such a way that a person could
walk the described boundary. An example that describes a portion of the Metropolitan Council’s 15th District is included
in M.S. 473.123 subd. 3c (15):
“The fifteenth council district consists of that portion of Dakota county consisting of the cities
of Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, and South St. Paul, and that portion of the city of Eagan lying
north of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of Cliff Road with the
western boundary of the city of Eagan, easterly along Cliff Road to its intersection with Robert
Trail South and 110th Street West, then easterly along 110th Street West to the eastern
boundary of the city of Eagan.”
When a precinct plan is approved, any reference to a municipal boundary refers to that boundary on the day the plan is
approved. As municipal annexations occur, county commissioner districts and state legislative and congressional district
boundaries do not automatically change. Refer to 4.3.5.2 Annexations below for details on election district boundary
corrections.
In summary, the advantages of a metes and bounds description are that it is:
•More identifiable to people unfamiliar with the municipality,
•Better than using corporate limits for descriptions – as corporate limits tend to change over time,
•A reminder that when municipal annexations occur, a precinct boundary change needs to occur or a new
precinct needs to be created.
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4.3.4 Establishing precincts
All local governments which establish the boundaries of election precincts—whether in cities, townships, or unorganized
territories—must follow similar steps in preparing for the establishment of precincts in the redistricting process, as well
as notifying voters and other governmental entities when the process is completed. It may be a very quick process for
jurisdictions entirely in one precinct, or a more involved process for jurisdictions with multiple precincts that are
changing.
4.3.4.1 Dates for establishing precincts
All precincts in the state—whether in a city, township or unorganized territory—must be established (or reestablished)
within 60 days of the adoption of the state redistricting plan, or by March 29, 2022, whichever comes first. These
established precinct boundaries become effective on the date of the 2022 primary. (M.S. 204B.14, subd. 3)
4.3.4.2 Pass resolution or ordinance
The resolution or ordinance reestablishing the precinct must be passed within 60 days of the completion of legislative
redistricting, or by March 29, 2022, whichever comes first. (M.S. 204B.14, subds. 3 and 4.) A sample resolution is in
Appendix C
If the state legislative redistricting plan is adopted and/or any court challenges are resolved less than 19 weeks before
the state primary in a year ending in two (after March 29 in 2022), there are alternate dates and procedures for
redistricting or reestablishing precincts. For more information on the alternate dates and procedures refer to Appendix
A or contact the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office. (M.R. 8255.0010)
It is common for polling places to be designated in the same action as the precincts, or in an action passed in the same
meeting. If a precinct is in or will be in a combined polling place, this is also a time to reestablish or change this status.
See the Polling Place section for details.
4.4 Giving notice
After completion of the redistricting process, the following notifications must be made by the governing jurisdiction.
If there are any changes in the precinct boundaries after the boundaries have been drawn, similar notices must be
provided by the municipal clerk or county auditor before the changes can take effect. (M.S. 204B.14)
4.4.1 Notify the county auditor
The redistricting of county commissioner districts cannot occur until all municipalities have completed reestablishing
their precincts. Additionally, the county auditor is required to update the statewide voter registration system whenever
there have been changes in precinct boundaries. Municipalities should coordinate with their county auditor’s office to
determine the specific process that will be used in their county. Cities with territory in more than one county should
make sure to coordinate with all relevant counties.
4.4.2 Notify the Office of the Secretary of State
The municipal clerk or county auditor must immediately notify the Secretary of State of any change in a precinct
boundary. To fulfill this notification the clerk or auditor should mail, fax or email a copy of the ordinance or resolution
establishing the change to the Elections Division. (M.S. 204B.14 subd. 5)
4.4.3 Send map of precinct boundaries to the Office of the Secretary of State
The clerk then must file a corre ct map of precinct boundaries within 30 days of a boundary change. Generally the county
will provide a basemap for the municipal clerk to mark up if necessary. However, Secretary of State may also be able to
assist. Contact Brad Neuhauser in the Elections Division at Brad.Neuhauser@state.mn.us or by phone at (651) 556-0648
for more help with a map. (M.S. 204B.14 subd. 5)
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Cities interested in submitting precinct boundary information in the form of a geographic information system (GIS)
datafile should refer to Appendix F before sending any digital data.
4.4.4 Post precinct boundaries
When precinct boundaries have been changed, the change does not take effect until a notice of the change has been
posted in the office of the municipal clerk or county auditor for at least 56 days. (M.S. 204B.14 subd. 4)
4.4.5 Notify affected households of changes
Notifying affected households of changes in precinct boundaries is covered by the notification required for changes in
polling place. (See 5.3.4 Notify affected households)
It is strongly recommended that all voters in the county be notified of their polling place, precinct, and other election
districts using postal verification cards even if no changes have occurred. The benefits of this are to inform voters if any
of their election districts have changed, and reaffirm their correct polling place. Cost sharing among the county, cities,
townships, and school districts may keep the mailing costs affordable for any group. A special redistricting postal
verification card will be available.
4.4.6 Publish precinct boundaries
Though not specifically required, it is recommended that municipalities publish precinct boundaries in an effort to
provide redistricting information to the public. This may be especially important in municipalities that have had
significant precinct boundary changes.
4.5 Preparing for the next election
If the redistricting process results in more precincts than the municipality or organized territory previously held,
additional work may be needed to prepare for the upcoming state primary and general election. Among those items that
may need to be done are:
•Acquire additional voting equipment;
•Additional polling place posters and supplies;
•Recruit additional election judges; and
•Confirm contracts for new or existing polling places, if necessary.
The redistricting process may be a good opportunity for counties, cities, and townships to encourage people to
participate in the election process by serving as an election judge.
At every general election, it is required that a map of the precinct be posted in each polling place. If precinct boundaries
have changed, a new map is especially important.
For more information about preparing polling places for upcoming elections, refer to the guides produced by the
Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
5.0 POLLING PLACES
5.1 What are polling places?
The polling place is the location to which voters come to cast their ballots on election day. Every precinct must have a
designated polling place. No changes may be made to polling place designations less than 90 days before the next
election, except in case of emergency.
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5.2 Polling place requirements
All polling places whether new or reestablished must be:
• fully accessible (see following subsection);
• large enough to accommodate the election activities;
• free of other, non-election activities;
• smoking free;
• liquor free and not adjacent to a liquor service area;
• located within the precinct except:
o metropolitan area cities and towns may locate a polling place outside the precinct if it is within one mile
of the precinct boundary or it is part of a combined polling place (see 5.3.2 Combined polling places);
o non-metropolitan cities and towns may locate polling places up to five miles outside the precinct
boundary.
(M.S. 144.414; 200.02, subd. 24; 204B.16; 473.121)
5.2.1 Accessibility
Federal and state laws require that all polling places be fully accessible and usable by elderly or disabled persons. (M.S.
204B.16, subd. 4)
Minimum requirements include:
• paved parking with wide spaces reserved for disabled persons,
• curb cuts or temporary ramps,
• paved main routes free of stairs or with ramp or elevator bypasses,
• entrances/doorways a minimum of 32 inches wide,
• walkways and hallways at least 36 inches wide,
• hallways free of protrusions overhanging the floor,
• handrails on all stairs,
• signs directing voters around obstructed entrances or stairs to accessible routes,
• signs outlining the assistance available to voters, and
• one or more wheelchair accessible voting booth(s) or station(s) with writing surface 34 inches high.
(M.S. 204B.16, subd. 5)
Minnesota election law offers some additional accommodations if the voter needs assistance with the voting materials:
• voting by absentee ballot;
• curbside voting;
• a bipartisan team of election judges to provide assistance in the polling place; or
• the voter bringing someone of their choosing to assist in the polling place.
(M.S. 203B.02, subd. 1; 204C.15, subd. 1; 204C.15, subd. 2)
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Municipalities should visit polling locations periodically to verify that polling locations are still accessible. The Office of
the Secretary of State Polling Place Accessibility Diagnostic Tool provides instructions on how polling places inspections
should be performed.
For more specific details on accessibility, we recommend consulting the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines.
5.3 Establishing polling places
5.3.1 Designating polling places
Generally, polling places must be designated by city, town, or county governing bodies by December 31 of the preceding
year. In 2021, state law was changed to require governing bodies that reestablish precincts to also designate polling
places for those precincts. Polling places will be designated within 30 days of the reestablishment of precincts, or by
March 29, 2022, whichever comes first. These will usually be done at the same time. An example resolution for
reestablishing unchanged precincts and polling places is provided in Appendix C. (M.S. 204B.16, subd. 1)
Public entities shall make their facilities available for the holding of city, county, school district, state, and federal
elections, subject to the approval of the local election official. Governing bodies using school district buildings as polling
places should contact the school district annually to verify that their security requirements have not changed. (M.S.
204B.16, subd. 6)
5.3.2 Combined polling places
Under certain circumstances, governing bodies may combine polling places into a single, accessible location with a single
team of election judges. A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be filed with
the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body or, in the case of multiple municipalities or
jurisdictions, all governing bodies. Separate ballot boxes and separate returns are kept for each precinct involved. (See
also M.R. 8230.4365)
The following circumstances allow for the establishment of a single, accessible, combined polling place no later than
May 1 of any year except a year with a presidential nomination primary:
•3rd or 4th class cities,
•cities located in more than one county,
•contiguous precincts in the same municipality,
•up to four contiguous cities and/or townships located outside the metro area that are in the same county,
•noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties, subject to approval of both the governing body of
each municipality and the secretary of state, or
•mail election precincts, in which case the designation by the municipality or the auditor of only one centrally-
located polling place is required.
(M.S. 204B.14, subd. 2; M.S. 204B.45, subd. 1)
Note: the metropolitan area is defined as Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne,
Washington, and Wright counties. (M.S. 200.002, subd. 24)
A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined polling place must file a resolution of withdrawal with the
county auditor no later than April 1 of any year except the year before a presidential nomination primary. (M.S. 204B.14
subd. 2 (b)(3))
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5.3.3 School district combined polling places
If a school district is holding an election on a day when no other governmental unit in its area is holding an election, a
school board may designate one or more combined polling places at which the voters in two or more precincts may vote
in the school district election. A single team of election judges, using a single ballot box and keeping a single set of
returns, may serve the polling place. In school districts that have been organized into separate board member districts, a
combined polling place for a school general election cannot include more than one board member election district. (M.S.
205A.11, subd. 2; 205A.11, subd. 3)
These combined polling places must be designated by resolution by December 31 of each year. The polling place
locations must be at locations that have been designated for use as polling places by county or municipal governments.
(M.S. 205A.11, subd. 2)
Combined polling places designated for 2022 will likely only be used (if at all) on the February 8 special election date, as
school districts may not conduct special elections on the April 12 or May 10 uniform election dates in the year ending in
two, and at the state primary and general elections, the municipality or county will be responsible for operating that
precinct’s polling place. (M.S. 204B.135, subd. 4)
If the school district election coincides with another election in a precinct, the city or township is responsible for
operating that precinct’s polling place. (M.S. 205A.11, subd. 1)
Note that Postal Verification Cards (PVCs) cannot be sent to meet the voter notification requirements for school district
combined polling places.
5.3.4 Polling places and mail balloting
Precincts designated as mail ballot precincts must still designate a polling place. This is usually the office of the county
auditor or municipal clerk. Voters residing in a mail ballot precinct who are not registered may go to the designated
location to vote absentee in person. (M.S. 204B.45)
5.3.5 Polling place equipment
The cost and availability of voting equipment is another factor in making decisions about the number and location of
polling places. Some counties and municipalities have cost-sharing arrangements for voting equipment.
It is common for each precinct to have its own ballot counter and memory unit, but one counter may be used to count
ballots for multiple precincts. (M.R. 8230.4365)
5.4 Giving notice
5.4.1 Notify the county auditor
Whenever there has been a change in polling place location, the municipal clerk must notify the county auditor of the
new location. The auditor needs the information for entry into the statewide voter registration system in order to
facilitate the notification of affected households, and for notifying newly registered voters as they occur throughout the
year.
School boards must notify the county auditor(s) within 30 days of the establishment of a combined polling place. (M.S.
205A.11, subd. 3)
5.4.2 Notify affected households
When redistricting causes a voter’s polling place to change, the municipal clerk or county auditor must notify all affected
households with at least one registered voter by a first class, non-forwardable mailing at least 25 days before the next
election. (M.S. 204B.16, subd. 1a)
There are multiple ways to provide notice using the required voter notification:
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• the clerk may request the county auditor mail a special redistricting Postal Verification Card (PVC) to all
households with at least one registered voter in the affected precincts (after auditors have entered new polling
place information into SVRS), or
• the clerk may request the county auditor mail a special redistricting Postal Verification Card (PVC) to all voters in
the affected precincts (after auditors have entered new polling place information into SVRS), or
• the clerk may purchase electronic household address labels from the OSS to send their own notification to all
affected households with at least one registered voter.
• the clerk may purchase electronic voter labels from the OSS to send their own notification to all affected voters.
Order forms are available at www.sos.state.mn.us.
(M.S. 204B.16)
Information on ordering voter data from the Secretary of State and order forms are available at the Registered Voter List
Requests webpage (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/data-maps/registered-voter-list-
requests/).
It is strongly recommended that all voters in the county be notified of their polling place, precinct, and other election
districts using postal verification cards even if no changes have occurred. The benefits of this are to inform voters if any
of their election districts have changed, and reaffirm their correct polling place. Cost sharing among the county, cities,
townships, and school districts may keep the mailing costs affordable for any group. A special redistricting postal
verification card will be available.
170TH
165TH
FOREST140TH
132ND
122ND
125THELMCREST IRISH152ND
137TH
GOODVIEW177TH
HENNAHOMESTEADJEFFREYONEKAINGERSOLLKEYSTONE157TH
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FLAY150TH
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125TH GREYSTONEKELLER
180TH
130TH
157TH
180TH
FI
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12 6T H
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ONEKAWard 1
Hugo Fire Hall
5323 140th St. N.
Precinct 1
Hugo City Hall
14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N
Precinct 2
1
23
4
5
6
School Districts
Lakes & Water
Precinct Locations
/
Ward & Precin ct Map
Ward 3
Public Works Building
8220 140th St. N.
Rice Lake C entre
6900 137th St. N.
Precinct 6
Precinct 5
Ward 2
Lions Park Building
5524 U pper 146th St. N
New Life Church
6000 148th St. N.
Precinct 3
Precinct 4
Proposed map for
March 14, 2022
redistricing
worksh op
White Bear Lake
Mahtomedi
Forest Lake
Stillwater