Redistricting commission visits Kalispell

Several dozen people from around Flathead County offered their input on the legislative redistricting process Wednesday night to the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission.

The commission was in Kalispell for the fourth of 14 public hearings it’s holding this spring as it works to redraw the state’s legislative districts after the 2010 census.

Wednesday’s meeting at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell was the five-member commission’s third such meeting in 24 hours.

The commission had visited Pablo earlier in the day and was in Missoula on Tuesday.

Over the course of an hour, people lined up to speak for or against or to suggest adjustments to the four draft maps drawn up by the nonpartisan Montana Legislative Services Division, and a fifth draft map, a “communities plan,” drawn up by commissioners Joe Lamson and Pat Smith.

“All of your comments tonight were articulate and well-thought out,” Lakeside resident Jim Regnier, a former Montana Supreme Court justice and the commission’s presiding officer, said to close out the meeting. “I can assure you that your comments will be well received and considered by this commission.”

Comments will be entered into the public record, along with written comments that have been submitted to the commission.

They are available for review, along with the draft maps created so far, on the commission’s website at www.leg.mt.gov/districting.

Throughout the redistricting process, comments can be submitted by email to districting@mt.gov; by fax to 406-444-3036; and by mail to Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission, PO Box 201706, Helena, MT 59620-1706.