HELENA – The Missoula “wagon wheel” of state House districts despised by Republicans could be going away.
Republicans have complained for a decade that Missoula-area districts drawn by Democrats minimized suburban and rural voters. The districts often started in the city center and spun outward gathering up large chunks of rural areas.
Republican representatives to the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission on Tuesday convinced the impartial chairman to ditch that so-called “wagon wheel” effect.
Former Supreme Court justice Jim Regnier voted in favor of a modified version of a proposal from Republicans that instead draws some distinct urban districts that remain inside the city limits.
The panel has tentatively drawn 41 of 100 House districts as it adjusts boundaries to Census data. Regnier sided with Democrats on some of the other districts.