The Maine House has given its initial approval to a compromise on congressional redistricting, with the new plan offered by the majority Republicans now being accepted by the Democrats.
The deal leaves much of the present U.S. House District lines as is, though the compromise faces further House and Senate votes at a special session called Sept. 27. With the Republicans and Democrats in agreement, passage appears likely.
A Maine Federal Court ordered lawmakers to redraw the state’s two congressional district lines to better reflect 2010 census changes and balance the populations of the two districts.
While large portions of the present districts remain intact, the plan moves Waterville from the second to the first district, and leaves Lewiston/Auburn in the second district.
It also leaves Congressman Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven) in the first district.
