Maine Releases Two Sets of Proposed Congressional and State Senate Maps
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the Maine Legislature released two sets of proposed maps for U.S. congressional and state Senate districts, drawn by the Democratic and Republican caucuses, respectively. The Legislature also released a unified proposal for county commissioner districts. Though the Legislature’s major parties, along with an advisory commission, are responsible for redistricting, the process in Maine is relatively straightforward with only two congressional districts to divide.
Both congressional maps pushed the capital city Augusta into the 2nd Congressional District for the first time. The central disagreement falls on Kennebec County and which towns — including liberal stronghold Waterville — should also be pushed from the reliably Democratic 1st Congressional District into the Republican-leaning 2nd Congressional District. The public can weigh in on the proposals at a hearing on Monday. Additionally, the state legislative maps are expected to be released next week ahead of a Sept. 27 deadline.