AUGUSTA — The Legislative Apportionment Commission charged with redrawing electoral districts on Feb. 1 unanimously adopted the criteria it will use to guide the selection of the state’s new electoral district maps for the State Senate, House and county commissions. Maine law requires legislative district maps to be updated every 10 years based on population changes.
“We strove to set reasonable and fair guidelines in the hopes of achieving a collaborative outcome,” said Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, who serves on the commission. “The guidelines are based on the Constitution, federal law and historical precedent.”
The criteria includes a preference for electoral maps that have near equal population; are compact and contiguous; minimize crossing town and city lines; follow the Voting Rights Act and the Whole District Rule, which guarantees large towns have whole House districts; considers the preservation of existing districts to the extent practicable; and are in compliance with the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The commission will develop draft maps to present to the public in March.
“We will have a fair and open process,” said Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Aroostook. “It is very important that we hear from the people of Maine as we make these important decisions.”
The Maine Constitution requires the plan to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature by June 11. If a two-thirds vote cannot be achieved, redistricting proposals are sent to the State Supreme Judicial Court for resolution.
The Apportionment Commission is made up of 15 members, including an equal number of Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Michael Friedman of Bangor is the independent chair. The chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties and two public members chosen by each respective party leader also serve on the commission.
The next meeting of the commission will be March 8.
