Olmsted County and the City of Rochester announce listening sessions for the 2022 redistricting process

Olmsted County and Rochester residents are invited and encouraged to take part in the 2022 redistricting process. This includes participating in upcoming virtual listening sessions, which begin on December 14, 2021. 

Redistricting listening sessions are an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts and ideas on the redistricting process, as well as lived experiences in communities of interest. Residents are able to ask questions during the listening sessions, but these are not intended to be question and answer sessions. If questions are raised, answers will be provided on the city and county redistricting websites. All listening session information will be gathered and considered by Olmsted County and the City of Rochester prior to the redrawing of electoral boundaries.

Listening session dates/times

Redistricting listening sessions will be held virtually via Zoom. Community members only need to register if they wish to sign up for a speaking slot. Each participant will have three minutes to speak. Recordings of the listening sessions will be made available on the City of Rochester redistricting website. 

General Community - Olmsted County

• December 14, 2021, Noon – 1 p.m. 
• December 14, 2021, 6 – 7 p.m.  

General Community - Olmsted County 

• December 16, 2021, Noon – 1 p.m. 
• December 16, 2021, 6 – 7 p.m.

City of Rochester Wards 1 & 2 

• January 11, 2022, Noon – 1 p.m. 
• January 11, 2022, 6 – 7 p.m.

City of Rochester Wards 3 & 4 

• January 13, 2022, Noon – 1 p.m. 
• January 13, 2022, 6 – 7 p.m.

City of Rochester Wards 5 & 6 

• January 19, 2022, Noon – 1 p.m. 
• January 19, 2022, 6 – 7 p.m.

General Community - Olmsted County 

• January 22, 2022 – 9-10 a.m.

Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, every 10 years, following the completion of the U.S. Census. Redistricting websites have been created for Olmsted County and the City of Rochester for residents to stay informed on the redistricting process. Redistricting toolkits, that include maps and census information, are also available for pickup at several area locations like the Olmsted County Government Center information desk and the Rochester Public Library.

How to register

To register for a speaking slot at a redistricting listening session, visit the Olmsted County Public Registrations website.

Once on the site, please read the registration guidelines before choosing a listening session date and time. 

If you are having difficulty registering for a virtual listening session event, email Olmsted County’s Policy, Analysis, and Communications (PAC) department at PACsupport@co.olmsted.mn.us. Please include your full name, address, and the listening session date and time you would like to select. 

Note: Registration is limited to 16 participants for each virtual listening session. Sessions are one hour and will include a brief introduction on the redistricting process. Olmsted County and City of Rochester officials will not be available to answer questions during the listening sessions. Answers to frequently asked questions will be added to the redistricting websites as appropriate. 

Want to listen, but not participate?

If you would prefer to just listen in on a redistricting call and not speak, you can still attend the event via this Zoom link. Your microphone will be muted, and your camera will be turned off. If time is available following all registered speakers, the facilitator may ask audience members if they would like to speak. Those interested will be chosen, at random, based on the remaining time available.

Unable to attend a virtual event?

If you are unable to attend a virtual event and would still like to submit your comments on redistricting, please email comments to PACsupport@co.olmsted.mn.us. You can also mail comments to:

Olmsted County Government Center
c/o PAC
151 4th St SE
Rochester, MN 55904

More redistricting listening sessions may be announced in the next several months. Updates can be found on the Olmsted County and City of Rochester redistricting websites.