The Flathead County Commission voted 2-1 to rescind its January decision to shift the commissioners’ district boundaries, based on information that the decision would have affected the upcoming elections.
During the March 5 hearing on the matter, Commissioner Jim Dupont said he originally voted for the redistricting plan because he was under the impression that it would not affect the election.
Commissioner Dale Lauman, whose seat is up for election this year and is not running for re-election, said he thought the changes would take effect in January 2013.
Commissioner Pam Holmquist, however, said she thought the boundary shift would take place immediately, and voted against rescinding the January decision.
Flathead District Judge Ted O. Lympus had already signed off on the new boundaries, Deputy County Attorney Tara Fugina said, and the judge issued a March 5 order rescinding and vacating the redistricting.
Dupont said he would like to see the commission revisit the issue once the 2012 elections are over.