An Act To Reapportion Maine's Congressional Districts
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, current law provides for the reapportionment of Maine's congressional districts in 2013; and
Whereas, the United States District Court has ruled that Maine may not wait until 2013 to redraw its 2 congressional districts to reflect population shifts, but must instead redraw the districts in time for the congressional election in 2012; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1205, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 628, §2, are repealed and the following enacted in their place:
Sec. 2. Legislative intent. The Legislature intends that the apportionment of the congressional districts of the State established in this Act is independent of and severable from any apportionment of the Maine Senate or the Maine House of Representatives.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill, which is the majority report of the Commission to Reapportion Maine's Congressional Districts, reapportions Maine's congressional districts.
Under this bill, the First District consists of Cumberland County, Knox County, Lincoln County, Sagadahoc County and York County and the following municipalities of Kennebec County: Albion, Augusta, Belgrade, Chelsea, China, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Oakland, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Sidney, Wayne, West Gardiner, Windsor and Winthrop. The Second District consists of Androscoggin County, Aroostook County, Franklin County, Hancock County, Oxford County, Penobscot County, Piscataquis County, Somerset County, Waldo County and Washington County and the following municipalities of Kennebec County: Benton, Clinton, Fayette, Gardiner, Litchfield, Rome, Unity Township, Vassalboro, Vienna, Waterville and Winslow.