Redistricting: Although it's hard to interpret the

[MineralMan]

Crude maps for state legislative districts, it appears that the ones in Saint Paul have not changed in any significant way. I'm still in the same State Senate and Legislative district. That's good.

I'm not sure about other areas, since I don't have the earlier map to compare.

[rbixby]

1. It looks like Bachmann's hometown is now in Betty's district though.....hmmmm.....

[MineralMan]

2. I went to the Secretary of State's site

and looked at the map of voting margins by precinct for what will be the now CD-4. Each precinct has about the same population, and it's still dominated by strong DFL majorities. The part of Washington County that includes Woodbury is pretty darned red, but there are pockets of blue in Stillwater and other parts of the additions to CD-4. The bottom line, though, is that the number of blue precincts in the new CD-4 way outnumbers the number of red ones. much of the added area is rural in nature, so the precincts are large. The only thing that matters is the number of precincts, though, since the precinct population is quite even. St. Paul will dominate CD-4, which means Betty wins. Besides, there hasn't been a strong challenger for Betty for a while, and I don't think one will emerge in 2012.

I think CD-4 will be just fine.

Here's where you can find the election maps. All are zoomable pdfs, so it's easy to see the distribution. Look at the maps that show margins in color for the quickest evaluation. And remember, if you look at the precinct maps, that all precincts have roughly the same population, so it's the number of precincts that matters, not their physical size:

http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=1634

[rbixby]

14. Looks like the 6th is still gerrymandered red, but what can you do?

NT

[MineralMan]

16. Given Bachmann's lack of service to her district,

and the general dissatisfaction with Congress in general, I think there's a reasonable chance that a strong, well-known DFL candidate can defeat her in 2012. I hope someone like that steps up and gives her the retirement she deserves.

[rbixby]

17. I agree

I just wonder who it might be. Having grown up in St Cloud, I know that for some reason there's a huge conservative bend up there. I think a lot of people are sick of the crazy though.

[Brickbat]

3. There appears to be a change up here on the shore, but I haven't been able to confirm that

Two Harbors is now lumped in with the east end of Duluth. Interesting to a few up here, if true.

[MineralMan]

4. I couldn't find anywhere on that court site that

gave the text descriptions of the new districts. The maps are too crude to pin things down and can't be zoomed. New maps will appear shortly, though, that will let you take it down to the precinct level. They didn't mess with many of the state legislative districts in St. Paul or Minneapolis. They're almost identical, which isn't surprising, since those cities are built out and the population numbers don't change much.

The Congressional Districts, though, have definitely changed. There's a comparison map for those on that court site, and you can see the changes pretty easily, although you can't really see the fine details, and the maps are poorly-labeled. But, new maps will appear shortly, so we'll find out.

I don't follow the politics up north very much. There's more than enough to think about here in the cities.

[glinda]

5. What does that mean? Will it split more or what?

[dflprincess]

6. If you use this link to pull the maps up by legislative House district, you may get a better read.

It comes up as a PDF and I increased the size first to 200% then to 400% to check my district.

http://www.gis.leg.mn/redist2010/plans.php?plname=L2012&pltype=court

[MineralMan]

7. Oooh! Thanks!

I'm heading there now.

[rbixby]

15. Great map! Thanks!

[geardaddy]

8. Looks like my Senate District and House District is changing numbers.

I'm currently SD-60 and will be SD-61. It won't matter much, but why did they have to change the numbers?

[MineralMan]

9. I'm not sure about that one.

I noticed some SDs that changed numbers, but don't have a clue. Mine is till the same, both SD and legislative district. 67 and 67A. I think you may be in one of those districts where two State Senators will be running against each other. Weird.

[dodger501]

10. My take on the St. Paul side:

Betty's district covers more area east, but she is still very safe.
M. Bachmann is left with the reddest parts of her district so she is pretty safe, too.

[MineralMan]

11. Yes. I'm pretty sure Betty will be fine.

What was added is pink to red, but not that many precincts, compared to the St. Paul part.

As for Bachmann, I'm not so sure. She lost that big pink to red area that includes Woodbury. She's neglected the dickens out of her district, and it may just be that the northern suburbs may turn on her this November. I'm hoping for that. It will all depend on how well-known and well-liked her DFL opponent is. I haven't heard any hints about who might run. But, remember, it doesn't have to be someone who lives in the district. Michele doesn't anymore, either.


My wife emailed Kelliher last night and suggested that she might want to think about the seat. Kelliher lives in Minneapolis, but not far from the district border, and has lots of name recognition. But, someone else may pop up who has the popularity and name recognition that would kick Bachmann's butt.

Time will tell, but I'm sure that several people are thinking about running.

[Mister Ed]

12. Free at last! Free at last!

I'm in CD4 now! Even if Bachmann re-takes CD6, she will no longer be my rep!

http://www.startribune.com/newsgraphics/139884193.html

A twelve-year nighmare is coming to an end for me. Now we just have to work to make it come to an end for everyone[.

[Odin2005]

13. My legislative district (9) has been really fucked with.

It's now 4 and only Morrie Lanning's (R-Moorhead) area is relatively unchanged. DFL Reps Langseth and Aken are now in the same district.