The Metro Council voted 6-0 today to adopt a new map of Metro Council districts that will remain in effect for at least the next 10 years, beginning with the 2012 election cycle. Each new Metro Council district will comes within 3.5 percent of the average district population of 248,362 people, based on the results of the U.S. Census.
Every ten years, following the completion of the U.S. Census, the Metro Council is required to evaluate whether its six districts are of relatively equal population and adjust the district boundaries as necessary to provide for equal representation. The results of the 2010 U.S. Census indicated that the populations of two of the Metro Council districts, which were last established in 2001, varied significantly from the average district population.
In considering how to redraw its district boundaries, the Metro Council gave consideration to existing precincts and sought to maintain communities of interest. The Metro Council defined communities of interest as cities under 15,000 in population, regional centers, town centers, school districts, established neighborhood associations, neighborhood planning organizations, community planning and participation organizations and other similar groups as specifically defined by the Metro Council.
Councilor Carlotta Collette was excused from Thursday's Council meeting.
The new redistricting map goes into effect for Metro councilor elections to be held in May 2012. Metro Councilors currently in office will continue to represent their current districts until January 2013.