New North Dakota legislative map details
Many important decisions were made by the 2021 North Dakota Redistricting Committee last week, including approval of a new statewide map. In this post, we’ll try to explain some of the process, details, and implications of the committee’s proposed map.
First, the Redistricting Committee meetings are now over in North Dakota. That means no more public input will be accepted regarding legislative redistricting. The process moved very quickly, and, unfortunately, had some major flaws.
Specifically, those flaws included lop-sided partisanship, blatant incumbent protection, committee meetings that were only held on weekdays and during normal working hours, disrespect of time slots scheduled for public comment, agendas not being posted in a timely fashion, and draft maps not being posted prior to meetings.
Next, the committee’s proposed map goes to Legislative Management and then the legislative floor for final approval during a special session of the Legislature tentatively scheduled for the week of Nov. 8. North Dakota Voters First will keep you updated as this process moves forward.
To see the committee’s proposed statewide map, click here. Once you have it open, you can scroll down to view individual districts. Please email Legislative Council at lcouncil@nd.gov if you have specific questions about maps.
You’ll notice that the Redistricting Committee’s statewide map includes major changes to Districts 4 (now split for the House of Representatives because of the Fort Berthold Reservation), 8 (now includes Emmons County), 9 (now split for the House because of the Turtle Mountain Reservation), 10 (now in Fargo), 19 (now in extreme northeast North Dakota), 23 (now near Williston), and 26 (now in far-western North Dakota). To be clear, Districts 10, 23 and 26 are completely new districts and their former population has been absorbed by neighboring districts. Altogether, these are major changes compared to the 2001 and 2011 North Dakota legislative district maps.
Many of the legislators in their soon-to-be former districts will now have to run in the new district they currently live in, move, or consider retiring. This column by Mike Jacobs, former publisher of the Grand Forks Herald, has some good insight into those dynamics. So does this Bismarck Tribune article. Please click here to read more about the proposed split districts for North Dakota Native American reservations.
Also, since five even-numbered districts have 25 percent or more new voters, they will also have to campaign for election in 2022. These districts include 8, 20, 28, 36, and 44. The odd numbered districts are up in 2022, so that’s why we’re pointing this out.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed these weekly updates regarding the 2021 North Dakota legislative redistricting process. We’ll continue to keep you updated on further redistricting developments and on other voting rights issues.
Sincerely,
North Dakota Voters First
