UPDATE: Redistricting Plan Splits Edina Between Congressional Districts

The finalized 2012 redistricting plan—released today by a Minnesota Supreme Court panel—splits Edina between two congressional districts while largely retaining the city's legislative districts. 

Edina, previously solely in Minnesota's Third Congressional District, now also extends into the Fifth Congressional District. The piece of Edina sitting north of Highway 62 and east of Highway 100 will be part of the district, currently represented by Keith Ellison (DFL). Erik Paulsen, a Republican, represents the Third Congressional District.

The redistricting plan, released Tuesday afternoon, includes new political boundaries for the state's eight congressional districts and 201 legislative districts.

Senate District 49—currently represented by State Sen. Geoff Michel (R)—is largely the same as its 2002 version, with slight additions of land to the west and south. House District 49A (Keith Downey) is almost untouched, while 49B (Pat Mazorol) has slightly expanded and now includes parts of Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka.

Michel said his new district appears to be made up of "pretty complimentary second-ring suburbs."

"I think that's a district that makes sense," Michel said. "I think they did good work for us and I'm particularly pleased they kept Edina together."

The Edina legislator said he's disappointed that the northeast corridor of the city is being lumped in with "what is really a downtown Minneapolis district." It's nothing new for Edina, as he said it was part of the Fifth Congressional District back in the '90s.

Districts are adjusted every 10 years to ensure political representation reflects the most recent census data. The Legislature passed redistricting bills in 2011, but Gov. Dayton vetoed them as he said they lacked bipartisan support. It's nothing new for Minnesota, as courts have had to redraw the state's political boundaries four out of the last five decades.

The changes have no residency impact on congressional candidates, who aren't required to live in their district. While legislative candidates need to live in their district at least six months before election day—Nov. 6, this year—the revised political boundaries don't appear to have placed any current Edina legislators into a different district.