Redistricting Panel Takes Statewide Listening Tour

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The panel charged with redrawing Montana's legislative districts is taking a statewide listening tour aimed at fine-tuning the latest proposals.

The Districting and Apportionment Commission holds its fifth meeting for public comment Wednesday in Helena. The panel has nine more meetings around the state through the middle of May.

So far, Democrats on the panel are favoring a plan they helped write. It aims to head off criticism that the current districts help Democrats by having large population variances.

Republicans so far seem to favor a few options authored primarily by legislative staff.

Joe Lamson is a Democratic appointee to the panel. He says the proposals will be altered after the listening tour.

The commission will then hash out a final plan during a weeklong meeting in August.