La Crosse updates aldermanic districts to align with state redistricting changes
La Crosse Tribune: Caden Perry | Published on 5/10/2024
City officials have redrawn aldermanic districts in La Crosse to align with new state legislative districts.
To comply with state law, the city adopted the new aldermanic boundaries Thursday. Despite significant changes to state district lines, adjustments to city wards and districts were minor.
The Legislature passed Gov. Evers’ new legislative district maps in February, shifting various district lines throughout the state, including within La Crosse. Previously, La Crosse was mostly comprised of the 95th Assembly District. The new maps split La Crosse between the 94th, 95th and 96th Assembly Districts.
The three new legislative district lines split up several voting wards within the city, prompting the city to redraw its own lines to comply with state law.
“Wards cannot be split, that is a state law. So, we did have to make some adjustments to our boundaries to accommodate those splits,” said city clerk Nikki Elsen.
Despite major changes to legislative boundaries, La Crosse Districts 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 were the only lines affected by the state’s redistricting. No city districts gained or lost much territory.
The biggest changes are to voting wards. Two new voting wards, 27 and 28, were created in District 1 and 8 respectively. The two new wards are relatively small but help the city remain in compliance as they are located along the new state district lines.
The new aldermanic districts and voting wards were approved unanimously by the city council.
The legislative district lines for the 94th, 95th and 96th Assembly Districts are already in effect and will be used for the next election.