It may be among the first, but the lawsuit filed in Minnesota this week certainly won’t be the last as states across the nation grapple with the once-in-a-decade redistricting process.



Four local Democrats filed a federal suit Wednesday, raising concerns about the fairness of the mapmaking process. Minnesota has retained all of its eight Congressional seats, but the lines of those districts are certain to change. Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers, but new Gov. Mark Dayton is a Democrat.



The state Republican Party responded Friday with a statement. “Based on Minnesota’s long history of litigious redistricting processes, today’s lawsuit filed by four Minnesota Democrats isn’t surprising,” state GOP Deputy Chairman Michael Brodkorb said. “Republicans remain committed to a fair and open redistricting plan, which results in a map that reflects our state’s population trends and changing demographics, while providing an opportunity for minority representation.”



The lawsuit seeks an injunction that would invalidate the current political map and asks a judge to require state leaders to submit proposed redistricting plans to the court, according to the Grand Forks Herald.