Mankato City Council narrows down redistricting proposal at work session

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) — The Mankato City Council narrowed down their redistricting proposal during their work session Monday night.

All wards will be impacted by the changes, but the map significantly shifts Ward Five and Ward Three.

Councilmembers Jessica Hatanpa and Mark Frost will also be impacted.

“We aren’t allowed to look at where do councilmembers live when we consider the boundaries. That said, in Ward Three we would have two seated councilmembers in that ward, both of whom are up for election this fall if we weren’t redistricting. So they both would have to make a decision this fall if they were going to run,” Mankato City Manager Susan Arntz said.

The council’s choice takes several factors into account, including population balance and keeping neighborhood groups connected.

The city next plans to publish a complete draft of the map this week to allow the public to give feedback.

The city plans to include new polling places in the draft.

“For the most part, we can publish a map that has all of the precincts in a draft form and then give the public an opportunity between now and when we would hope the council would adopt the plan on March 14,” Arntz said.

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