ND redistricting task getting underway

A legislative committee charged with redrawing North Dakota’s political lines is meeting today (Thursday) in Bismarck.  The redistricting panel is comprised of 14 Republicans and two Democrats.

Redistricting occurs every ten years after a federal census.   The goal is to ensure each lawmaker represents about the same number of people.

Ben Williams of the National Conference of State Legislatures told committee members that North Dakota has been adjusting boundaries since the 1960’s.  “The Supreme Court did not answer the question whether or not other methods other than total population are acceptable for redistricting.  What it said was it is an acceptable method.”

Williams says ensuring equity is often easier to accomplish in urban vs rural settings.

When the Legislature completed its last redistricting plan a decade ago the district populations averaged about 14,500 people. The new plan will likely add about 2,000 people to that.

Any committee recommendation needs to be approved by the legislature and governor.