Redistricting commission chooses final map for congressional districts
MISSOULA, Mont. — After about an hour of public comment and a quick work session, the commission tasked with splitting Montana into two new congressional districts adopted a final map.
Districting and Apportionment Commission chair Maylinn Smith sided with the two Republican commissioners Tuesday afternoon, breaking a tie to advance the GOP map proposal.
The map places Helena in an eastern district and Bozeman in the west. It’s slightly amended from the map they chose last week, CP 12. The amendment uses the Blackfeet Reservation line as the boundary in Pondera County.
Smith said this map is a compromise while still giving the best promise of politically competitive districts.
The commission will meet again for a final vote to officially adopt this map on Friday, which gives time for any final public comment on the amended map.
