Report: Minnesota could lose seat in House of Representatives

Pioneer Press

Updated: 07/22/2009


As few as 3,000 people could make the difference between Minnesota holding or losing one of its eight seats in the U.S. House.

The 2010 census will determine Minnesota's strength in Congress. State experts are already sizing up possible census fallout and preparing to redraw political maps to reflect population shifts.

Minnesota Senate attorney Peter Wattson presented a report Wednesday to the National Conference of State Legislatures on how to assemble political maps that stand up in court.

Wattson's report said Minnesota is on course to possibly shed a congressional seat. But he suggests the current economic crisis could save Minnesota if people are unable to relocate because they can't get work or a mortgage elsewhere.

— Associated Press