HELENA – A group responsible for mapping new legislative districts to reflect population changes found in the 2010 Census plans public hearings around the state this month.
The Districting and Apportionment Commission wants to hear what criteria people would like to see used to redraw the boundaries in 2014.
The commission must follow districting criteria established in the U.S. and Montana constitutions, as well as case law. Legislative districts must be compact and contiguous and as close to equal in population as is practical.
Chairman Jim Regnier says other possible criteria include following existing cities, counties, voting districts, geographic boundaries, and keeping intact communities of interest, such as Indian reservations or urban neighborhoods.
Public hearings are planned on April 8 in Helena, Great Falls and Havre, April 12 in Missoula and Kalispell and April 19 in Billings and Miles City. The meetings all begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at colleges in each city. Helena’s meeting will be held at the state Capitol.
The commission will adopt district criteria during an April 27 meeting at the Capitol.