Sen. Regier challenging subpoena of records tied to creation of new PSC district map

A Helena law firm challenging the Public Service Commission redistricting map drawn and approved by Republican lawmakers last year is now in a fight with the sponsor of the bill that changed the map and the Montana Department of Justice over the communications the senator had regarding why he drew the map the way he did.

Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott in February ruled that the map — drawn by Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, and approved by the Republican supermajority legislature — is likely an unconstitutional gerrymander because PSC Districts 3 and 5 “were drawn to disfavor voters on the basis of political ideas.”

His order said the map likely was illegally designed to favor Republicans and limit the influence of voters more likely to vote for Democrats or candidates of other political parties.