Minnesota legislature rebuffs independent redistricting proposal

A bi-partisan group of former officeholders in Minnesota encouraged reforms to the state redistricting process on Wednesday, but the suggestions were rebuffed by Republican leaders in the state legislature.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, former State Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum, former State Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, and other retired officials proposed that redistricting be done by an independent panel of five retired judges. Currently, the state legislature controls redistricting.

“The Minnesota Constitution clearly lays out a fair process and procedure for redistricting, and we are not interested in any process that takes away the constitutional responsibility of the Legislature and the courts,’’ Republican Party of Minnesota Deputy Chairman Michael Brodkorb said in a statement. “Elected representatives should be involved in the redistricting process, not an unelected panel of retired political appointees.’‘

Currently, both houses of the Minnesota legislature are controlled by Republicans. The Governor, Mark Dayton, is a Democrat. Governor Dayton has said “In principle, I think the independent commission is the better approach.”

Minnesota GOP rejects redistricting panel – St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minn. political vets: Let retired judges run redistricting – Minnesota Public Radio

Mondale wants new redistricting plan - Rochester Post Bulletin

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Secretary of State