Media Center

Earlier today, Our Maps coalition co-leader, Common Cause Minnesota, briefed the media on the filing of community-drawn maps for consideration in this year’s redistricting cycle. The maps were drawn to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and Minnesotans of Color are fairly represented in the state’s new voting maps.

Today, Common Cause Minnesota recommended redistricting criteria to the state’s special redistricting panel to ensure fair representation and equal political voice for Minnesota’s rapidly growing communities of color. The brief recommends the panel reject the “least-change” strategy being promoted by other plaintiffs and instead adopt principles that protect communities of interest.

Yesterday, a panel of national and local redistricting experts discussed the history and harmful consequences of prison-based gerrymandering in Minnesota. The experts described how prison gerrymandering occurs and how the practice diminishes the electoral and political power of Minnesotans of color, and other disenfranchised Minnesotans.

Today, Common Cause Minnesota, OneMN.org, Voices for Racial Justice, and a voter co-plaintiff briefed the media on the preemptive lawsuit they jointly filed to ensure Minnesotans of color are represented in the state’s redistricting process. The coalition’s filing focuses solely on the interests of Black, Indigenous, Minnesotans of color, and other disenfranchised communities.