It is said that all politics are local. That is particularly true when it comes to drawing legislative districts. Over the next year, the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission is going to review and draw maps that will assign Montanans to 100 House districts and 50 Senate districts.

The dividing lines might be a street between houses; a creek that meanders through the prairie, or a two-track road that switchbacks up a mountain. Where those lines are drawn matter when it comes to how people are represented in the Legislature from 2024 to 2034. The commission wants to hear from residents in writing, at meetings, or by submitting a map.

Each legislator represents one district. that must include about the same number of people. This is known as the “one person, one vote” rule. Because population numbers change as people move in, move out, are born and die, Montana adjusts these boundaries every decade.

Public mapping tools make it easier than every for anyone to submit a map for the commission’s consideration.

Additional information about the commission, including links to public mapping tools, is at the commission’s website. Send comments or questions to the commission’s webform, email the commission’s staff, Rachel Weiss and Joe Kolman, or call 406-444-3064