By Richard Crawford

While the lines are yet to be drawn, the population growth in Carver County the past decade will bring at least a portion of a new state Senate District to Carver County in 2012.

Carver County’s population grew by about 30 percent – more than 20,000 people – from 2000 to 2010. The increased population means the county will have at least one more Senate district and maybe more touching portions of the county, according to state Rep. Joe Hoppe, of Chaska, who is serving on the House Redistricting Committee.

Currently, only Senate District 34 covers Carver County. In addition to at least one more state senator there will be more state representatives serving portions of the county.

The census data, which is updated every 10 years, is used for geographically defining state legislative districts, a “redistricting” process that begins in 2011.

The census data allow state officials to realign congressional and state legislative districts in their states, taking into account population shifts since the last census and assuring equal representation for their constituents in compliance with the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Hoppe said committees in the state House and Senate will be drawing up new redistricting proposals in April with the goal of having Gov. Mark Dayton signing a redistricting bill in May.

Hoppe said the House committee he’s on seems intent on redrawing lines as fairly and as equitably as possible.

Having additional state politicians representing portions of the county could provide a little more representation to the area, according to Frank Long, former chairman of the Carver County Republicans. It also means that local political organizations will have additional logistical challenges identifying people to represent the new districts.

In addition to the new boundaries for state legislative seats, the U.S. Congressional District will change. It’s possible, Hoppe said, that the county could have a new U.S. representative serving the area, depending on how the lines shake out. Currently, U.S. Rep. John Kline’s district covers Carver County.

The new districts will be established in time for elections in 2012.