Republican legislative redistricting plan passes House vote

Republicans in the Minnesota House have passed their plan to redraw the boundaries of 201 legislative districts based on the latest census numbers.

The redistricting bill passed Friday on a party-line vote of 69 to 58.

Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, said her bill accomplished the goal of drawing a fair map that recognizes the state's population shifts.

"Their districts are compact and contiguous," Anderson said. "They comply with the voting rights act. They preserve counties, cities and townships, and they maintain communities of interest."

Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, questioned Anderson's last minute amendment to adjust a handful of boundaries.

"We are on the House floor the day we're going to supposedly pass a redistricting plan. Are you kidding me?" Hortman said. "We've changed how many legislative district lines in the past 48 hours? Are you kidding me? This is unbelievable."

The House Redistricting Committee is scheduled to take up new congressional district boundaries during a meeting Tuesday.

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