City Clerk's Office

The City of Madison’s Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee is seeking feedback from the public on two scenarios for alder redistricting.

Redistricting is undertaken every ten years using census data to equalize populations in alder districts, which ensures equal representation in the City Council. Due to uneven growth in the city over the past 10 years, alder districts currently range in population from 11,594 to 18,519. Including areas of the Town of Madison that will be absorbed next year, the total population of the City is 274,788, which means each alder district should have 13,739 residents. Alder district boundaries will need to shift to get as close to that target population as possible.

The redistricting process is compressed due to the COVID-delayed release of 2020 Census data. The Redistricting Committee will make a recommendation to the City Council on October 7th to allow the Council to hold a public hearing and approve a redistricting plan on November 2nd. This will allow the County to approve their supervisory district plan before nomination papers are circulated by candidates running for office in the Spring 2022 election.

The primary opportunity for residents to provide their thoughts and feedback on alder redistricting is the week of September 20th, through a variety of methods:

• Visit any City of Madison library, where redistricting scenario maps will be displayed alongside comment forms from September 20th to the 26th. Redistricting staff will be available at select libraries during certain times of the week – visit the redistricting web page for details.
• Visit the City’s online interactive redistricting map to provide comments on redistricting scenarios.
• Attend a virtual redistricting informational meeting on September 22nd at noon or 6 p.m. Redistricting scenarios can be reviewed on the redistricting web page, which also has meeting registration links.
• Email comments to redistricting@cityofmadison.com

Interested residents may also register to speak at an upcoming Redistricting Committee meeting.

With the short timeline for redistricting, interested residents should make sure their voice is heard now!