Richfield, MN

Redistricting

As cities develop and change, the populations in their various election districts may become unbalanced. Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of election districts with the goal of providing equal community representation. Following the federal census every 10 years, all 50 states begin the process of redistricting – and the City of Richfield is geared up to complete the task.

Based on numbers from the 2020 census, the City of Richfield's population grew to 36,994 residents – a more than 5% increase in the city’s population since the 2010 census. 

The Minnesota State Legislature is responsible for redistricting Minnesota's congressional districts, Minnesota Senate and House districts and Metropolitan Council districts, which must be finalized by February 15, 2022.

Once the state congressional districts are completed, the City of Richfield is responsible for redrawing its election districts to reestablish ward and precinct boundaries that must be completed by March 29, 2022. New ward and precinct boundaries will be in effect for the state primary election in August.

Defining Wards and Precincts

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. Approximately 70 cities in Minnesota elect council members by ward, including Richfield. Composed of a mayor and four council members, the Richfield City Council includes one council member elected at-large, while the other three are elected from the city's three wards. 

Per City Charter Section 2.03, "Within two years after each United States Census the City Council shall by ordinance establish compact and contiguous districts to be apportioned by population as nearly equal as practicable." Redistricting will help rebalance the population in each of Richfield's three wards, which should ideally include about 12,331 residents per ward (36,994/3). 

	2010 Population	2020 Population	Deviation from Ideal Value of 12,331	% Deviation
Ward 1	11,639	12,225	106	0.86%
Ward 2	11,700	12,437	-106	-0.86%
Ward 3	11,889	12,332	-1	-0.01%

Precincts are geographical areas used for elections – and help determine where a resident votes, who and what is on a voter's ballot, and how votes are tallied. 

The City Charter does not have specific requirements for precincts. However, a precinct cannot be split between different wards or congressional districts (M.S. 204B.14). Precinct boundaries are not tied to population size and are established by City Council to best serve the needs of the community.

Polling locations, where a voter goes to vote on election day, are subject to change with redistricting depending on a change in ward and/or precincts.

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