The 47th District of the North Dakota Legislature comprises most of northwest Bismarck north of I-94 and west of State Street. It is bounded to the west by the Missouri River. It is bounded to the south by Interstate 94. Its northern frontier from State Street to Washington Street is on 43rd Avenue NE. Then, between 43rd Avenue NE and 57th Avenue NW, the frontier with District 7 is on Washington Street. From Washington Street to River Road, District 47's northern frontier is 57th Avenue NW. River Road becomes District 47's boundary from 57th Avenue NW to Burnt Creek Loop. Burnt Creek Loop forms District 47's northern frontier from River Road to Burnt Creek Loop's intersection with Olive Tree Drive. Then, Olive Tree Drive forms much of District 47's northern frontier all the way to the Missouri River.
Were it only so simple. District 47 includes a weird triangle on the northwest part of the junction of Burnt Creek Road and Olive Tree Drive. It appears to slice right through CHX Electric. I have no idea why this triangle is there.
With the exception of this strange triangle, District 47 has rational boundaries. I don't think anyone would confuse District 47 with a salamander.
North end Cashwise is just barely within neighboring District 7. Although Northbrook Shopping Center is a couple of blocks south of Interstate 94 within District 35, it is centrally located for many residents of District 47. North end Family Fare, Menard's, and Gateway Mall are all within District 47, just barely.
Although this geographical sketch is very familiar to many people who live here in northwest Bismarck, it is not familiar to everyone. One of the perennial concerns for election workers and political candidates is letting people know which district they live in, and by extension which polling place they can vote in.
I would like to make sure that people in District 47 know which district they live in and how they can vote. The mechanics of politics matters.