Redistricting Merges Eagan With Larger Swath of Burnsville

Say hello to Burnsville.

Under new political redistricting maps released Tuesday by a special Minnesota court panel, Eagan will be rolled together with the northern half of Burnsville to form Senate District 51.

Currently, Senate District 38 encompasses nearly all of Eagan and a small portion of northeastern Burnsville. But the new legislative boundary extends all the way to the edge of Scott County, bringing a much larger portion of Burnsville together with Eagan.

The city will be represented by two House districts: District 51A will encompass the northern portion of Burnsville and nearly all of Eagan west of I-35E. Most of Eagan's residents east of the interstate will be represented by House District 51B, which is similar in shape to the current District 38B.

States must redraw district boundaries after every Census—or every 10 years. When the Minnesota Legislature couldn’t reach agreement on a map, the state's Supreme Court was tasked with the job. It released its decision at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

On the Congressional level, Eagan will continue to be represented by Republican Congressman John Kline in the Second Congressional District.

For more information on redistricting statewide, click here.

Check back at Patch later this week for more information regarding redistricting and its effect on the local political scene.

Correction: The article has been changed to correct an inaccuracy. Most of Eagan's residents east of the interstate will be represented by House District 51B.