[Mpls] Re: Mpls Terms to end in 03?

[Bert1956]

If a council member was elected from a ward that was unconstitutional in that it violated the one person one vote provisions, then yes, I would expect that a lawsuit to hold new elections would be successful. While there is a state law that says that the mere fact that a council member is drawn out of their ward during redistricting is not a reason for them to have to stand for election, having a ward that violates one person one vote is such a reason. So, given the large discrepancies in population that have developed in the inner city (growth) vs.the corners of the city (population loss), we should have new elections. Rep. Kahn's bill has no Senate companion that has met deadlines and so it is unlikely to pass, which is too bad, as we would then save the expense of a new election. As far as the Greens, I don't know whether this benefits them or not - I suppose it depends on whether they do well in the 02 legislative races in the city.