This Map clearly exposes imbalance of the heavy population sights. having all of Gallatin Yellow Stone and Park county offset Maddison, Louis & Clark and Granite county is the only equitable way to ensure balance. We are a representative first rule not majority at any cost rule.

Leaving Kalispell out of this map is a bad idea and clear evidence that this map is intentionally consolidating liberal parts of the start and excluding conservatives ones. Kalispell is clearly part of the cultural and geographic area of the western district and should not be excluded on the basis of making a "competitive" or "fair" (what is that even supposed to mean?) district. That is not the purpose of congressional districts.

This is a RIDICULOUS proposition. Why on God's Green earth does it make sense to separate Flathead county? It needs to stay exactly where it's located IN WESTERN MONTANA. I refuse to let the democratic party once again ruin another state by gerrymandering it's way through. Take your California ideologies elsewhere. Splitting this county means that the democrats are looking to gain power in a way that is completely shady and un-beneficial to the Montana people. THIS IS A BIG NO FROM ME.

CP11 is clearly the worst of the 4 remaining maps. It is the most gerrymandered and splitting Flathead County in this manner is a non-starter.

I do not like CP11. It is a prefect definition of gerrymandering, the practice of redrawing electoral districts to gain an electoral advantage for a political party. By putting both college towns, which tend to vote democrat, in the west and Flathead, which tends to vote republican, in the east the committee is trying to make a Democrat district and Republican district. I believe their buzz word is "competitive" not gerrymandering.

I don’t like CP11 because it puts most of Flathead county in the east. · CP11 is not in the best interest of Montanans. I don’t support it · CP13 splits too many counties · Keep Lewis and Clark county whole

This seems definitely not a good choice for rural Montana. This also splits too many counties. CP1 and 12 are much better.

CP11 puts Kalispell in western district. Looks like some serious gerrymandering to me! Let's go with CP12.

I do not agree with this map. It is a gerrymandering attempt by putting the Flathead region in the eastern district.

Wow. Who came up with this one? Nancy Pelosi's staff? Not competitive at all, more like a participation trophy to a party that has ill served the states wellbeing for years.

This map is inferior to CP12 for two main reasons: 1) geographically, it is illogical to put communities in the Flathead region into District 2, and 2) it is imbalanced demographically: District 2 has 35,521 more non-white voters than District 1--more than twice the difference between the two districts in CP12, which is inequitable. Given the locations of non-white voters, an exact balance between districts is difficult without significant gerrymandering, but CP12 does a much better job of achieving demographic balance than does CP11.

The mere distance any candidate or elected official has to travel so that the people of their district know who they are is too extreme. This commission owes it to the people of Montana the ability to know those persons who they have elected to represent them.

This map creates too much distance for any one candidate to travel in order to properly meet the people that they represent. You owe it to the people in the great state of Montana that they personally are able to know their Congressmen/women.

I disagree with CP11. Kalispell should not be considered as a part of Eastern Montana. Please revise.

Please do not adopt CP 11. CP 11 is a non-competitive, gerrymandered map. I don’t like cp11 because it puts most of Flathead county in the east. CP11 is not in the best interest of Montanans. Support CP 12 instead, CP 12 is a terrible map.

I am STRONGLY opposed to CP 11. CP 11 is a non-competitive, gerrymandered map. I don’t like cp11 because it puts most of Flathead county in the east. CP11 is not in the best interest of Montanans. Support CP 12 instead.

I dislike this map because Flathead County should be kept intact and in the West. None of Flathead County should be in the east.

CP 11 is not a competitive map because it dilutes communities of interest. Candidates are more competitive when their constituencies share similarities and live in relative proximity to each other, and when the local economies are influenced by the same trends. Flathead County has little in common with Eastern Montana, forcing candidates to run on a different set of issues in the far-flung corners of this district—this is not a recipe for competitiveness.

I don't like this -- Flathead and Glacier Counties should be in the Western District. We are very different places with different issues than Eastern MT.

All of Flathead county should be included in the western district.

I strongly disagree with Map 11. Historically, when Montana had two districts, (1913-1993) the interests, issues and culture of the east and west sides were very different, just as they are today. Nothing has changed in the geography or economy of the state that might justify changing the districting as drastically as Map 11 proposes. The rough use of the continental divide was--and is--a reasonable dividing line, and splitting of counties should be limited as much as possible. As to "fairness" to both parties, history itself is evidence that Montanans are fiercely independent when it comes to party-line voting. Haven't we just completed 16 years with Democrat governors before the present Republican? How about the numbers and numbers of years Senator Daines' seat was held by Democrats? The pendulum swings back and forth and Montanans have had their favorite sons and daughters from both parties. Using the results of the 2020 election to draw illogical and contrived districting lines makes no sense in the long-term picture. Map 12 is my first choice, Map 10 my second and Map 13 my third. I totally object to Map 11. Thank you

Terrible map! Flathead should not be put in the East, not only does it not keep communities of interest together, it also would cause our Congressperson to travel vast distances. The Canadian border should be of a more equal split and the same goes for the Native American tribes. This map only has one tribe, the Salish Kootenai, in the West. This map SHOULD NOT even be considered.

I don’t like Map CP11 because it splits Flathead county and puts it in the east, which is ridiculous! I completely agree with the comments of Edward Salmon!

CP11 is the worst map of those being considered. By exiling the economic and healthcare hub in the northern end of the district in the east while simultaneously reducing the tribal representation to one entity, make it singularly unsatisfactory. The commonalities of this area include Glacier Park and Flathead Lake which bind us to our tribal neighbors in their management. This, combined with isolation by mountains, highways and weather from the eastern part of the state make splitting the Flathead and CP11 untenable. Please consider CP12 the best compromise

Just say NO, this is terrible putting the Flathead in the east makes no sense.

While I agree that splitting any county is not ideal, I believe splitting Flathead County creates a disproportionate disadvantage for our region, which is already notably more isolated than other counties under consideration for a split. Given its isolation and heavy reliance on tourism as an economy driver, the Flathead County must have a singular advocate focus on the area's overall considerations. Splitting out Kalispell and placing it in the Eastern District means that this community is certain to be underserved. Historically, when we had two districts, Kalispell and the entirety of the Flathead Valley was in the Western District. Kalispell aligns with the industries of the west and far removed from the eastern side of the state in comparison with a county such as Gallatin, which is on the Interstate and only two hours from either Helena or Billings. All Montanans deserve to have a voice and the opportunity to work with their congressional delegation - I believe CP-11 unfairly isolates Kalispell but regionally and economically. I believe CP-10, CP-12 or CP-13 strike a better compromise but CP-11 is an unacceptable solution.

Clearly gerrymandered to favor one political party. Is not compact. Is ridiculous to have Kalispell in East while Helena and Bozeman are in West.

I prefer to split the state in half as shown on some of the original maps I would pray you folks making the decision as to where the division is it be as the law states. I would also pray your decision be made with the utmost integrity. I also would not want to see any county split. Thank you

Violates MT Code 5-1-115 and the federal Voters Act. This is gerrymandering.

NO to CP 11. Stop trying to make Montana into California. With a map like this, that is what will happen. Keep Flathead county together and in the western district, which is EXACTLY WHERE IT IS LOCATED -- in WESTERN Montana. Does anyone like CA? Does anyone favoring this map look at CA as an example to aspire to? Giving the party that destroyed that state power here is suicide. I don't care about competitiveness for democrats (marxists). All they do is take and destroy. Move to CA. Go enjoy the fruits of the destruction caused by your voting: power outages, water shortages, ruined schools, high crime and defunded police, overcrowding from an open border, zoning codes meant to end the suburbs, homelessness and tent cities, high taxes, businesses shut down because of covid policies, and open drug use in the public. None of that should ever come to Montana. Vote AGAINST CP 11.

This map is unacceptable because it divides Flathead County in a way that can only be explained by Democratic political self-interest. The reason Montana decided to create a bipartisan commission was to ensure that districts were drawn on the basis of legally recognized principles like shared community interests and compactness, not partisan politics. Flathead County functions as a unit culturally and commercially, with thousands commuting every day between its cities, and it also has important commercial ties with Missoula. As Rocky Mountain counties that contain parts of premier National Parks, Flathead County shares far more interests with Gallatin County than it does with the plains of Eastern Montana, and both belong in the western district.

This map is a clear gerrymander… so obvious. The people of Montana will not sit down for this. Flathead out of the west ridiculous!

Map CP-11 is a terrible map that is based on trying to carve out specific party districts and it does not comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw out this map and select map CP-1 as it’s the best map that adheres to the law.

I dislike this map because it’s not representative of Montana. Montana is a vast rural, for the most part, land. This map is trying to put the two fastest growing counties together in the same district. The worst part is it is chopping up Flathead County in order to keep the population even. There is a much better map that should be considered. https://app.districtbuilder.org/projects/e0a5c47f-4434-47ff-b0a9-01233ba3a87b This map does not split any counties and the population is within 50 people.

I dislike this map because it’s carving up Flathead County. It’s removing Native Americans voice from District 1. It’s gerrymandering at its worst. There is a much better map that should be considered. https://app.districtbuilder.org/projects/e0a5c47f-4434-47ff-b0a9-01233ba3a87b This map does not split any counties and the population is within 50 people.

I dislike Map 11. We are not Eastern Montana.

I dislike Map 11 because it creates a District with communities that share no interest between Western Montana and Eastern Montana.

I dislike Map 11 because it is a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines!

I dislike Map 11 because it isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities.

I dislike Map 11 because, for the first time EVER, in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District. Flathead County has ZERO political, economic, or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District.

REJECT map 11. It is gerrymandering at its best. Comments mention liberals and conservatives. Go without this and political parties. Stick with the fairer split in numbers. Map 11 gives a much less representation of Native Americans in the West. It gives a much bigger difference in the White population between the two districts. It is double the difference from Map 10. Reject 11. GO WITH 10 make it a fair distribution.

This map carves out specific party districts and do not comply with Montana Statutes and constitutional requirements. You must follow the law in this regard which is 5-1-115 (MCA). Allow no split counties. Deborah M. Wilson P O Box 399 Kila, Montana 59920 dmwilson@acwei.com

In terms of population divide among ethnicities, this does not seem fair to the Native AM population by a staggering percentage compared to the rest of them. Neither of these maps are good, but it the law states that it can't be a political decision, so it terms of population/ethnicity division, this map unfairly targets one groups representation

This map does not serve to keep communities of interest intact. It intentionally splits off Kalispell into the east with Gallatin and Whitefish in the west with the only reason being competitiveness. While this would obviously be more likely to create one competitive district, and competitiveness is a goal that the commission is authorized to consider, competitiveness, and all other enumerated goals, are necessarily secondary to the required criteria. Setting up a district for the sole purpose of unduly benefiting the Democratic party, while splitting up communities of interest and making the map less contiguous is improper. As such, CP10 should be adopted instead of CP11.

Seems like it's drawn to give each party one seat. Not going to be a competitive race for either seat. Agriculture is essentially only important in District 2 and District 1 is for non-agricultural politics. Flathead County farming has nothing in common with Eastern MT agriculture. This CP isolates the Flathead Nation from the other 7 tribes in Montana and weakens the Native Vote for District 1.

MAp 13 keeps the two large university towns together in one district. The towns of Bozeman and Missoula should not be in the same district due to the demographic of having most of the college students (including Butte) in the same district. The college towns need to be in separate districts.

CP11 seems to me the worst choice. CP 10 is a better representation of MT population, and doesn't split large communities. CP11 would be worse in keeping populations of relatively like minded thinking together and is more divisive in collection of ballots. Please do not choose CP11.

I oppose CP 10 since it is blatant gerrymandering.

This map is not good because it places republican areas in the east district and democrat areas in the west district. Clear gerrymandering. Also almost no native influence in west district. Possible lawsuit?

The districts in this map are less compact than CP10, and thus it fails the Constitutional criteria. Further, this map was clearly drawn to favor the Democrat party by removing as many Republican voters as possible from the western district. Further, this map violates the goal of keeping communities of interest intact by carving much of Flathead county out of the western district. Kalispell has more interests in common with Whitefish than it does with the eastern district. This map's only goal is blindingly obvious: to give Democrats as much advantage as possible and thus it fails the goals for districting.

Additional comment if I may. As for Livingston & Bozeman being locked at the hip, do yourself a favor and google Bozeman Real Estate Group website and see what they have to say about that, especially in 2020. They list six (6) reasons that Livingston "ISN"T" like Bozeman. Blows the argument that Livingston is a bedroom community of Bozeman to pieces. Map 11 isn't it.

So, Park County borders Meagher, Stillwater, Carbon, and Sweetgrass counties but we are to assume that all the folks in Park have nothing in common with those counties because of, well... Livingston! Do yourself a favor and log on to the "Bozeman Real Estate Group Website" and see what those folks say about Livingston back in 2020. Blows the "Livingston is Bedroom community of Bozeman" argument to pieces. And arguably, as time goes on Livingston will have less and less in common with Bozeman simply because Bozeman is pricing itself out of "Montana". Who needs to drive to Bozeman (especially over the pass in winter) to buy a $100 dollar hamburger, or whatever? Billings is a nice, (and arguably safer) drive away on I- 90. Just saying. And regarding Bozeman being "split up", take a look at the last 2010 -2022 redistricting map for the MT legislature and you'll see Bozeman has no less than four (4) different districts. Found that interesting. And finally, I suspect many of the folks in Lewis & Clark County (including Helena) would argue that they have more in common with Cascade County (Great Falls) than say.....Deer Lodge, or Anaconda, or Missoula (I-15 & I-90). Map #11 really doesn't stand up to honest scrutiny!

Do NOT split Flathead County, vote NO re: Map 11. It fails to keep communities of interest intact and it would force our Congressperson to travel vast distances. Follow the Montana Law, MCA 5-1-115! MAP CP1 was the best and most fair.

This splits Flathead county and has FOUR tribes on one side! This will create a BIG disadvantage for the voices of the tribes. Please split so two are in West and three in East. That way the split is more even and the House Reps have to listen to them because their vote counts more and it will keep us from going to the extremes. The Rep will have to listen. Also, I live in the Flathead and want to be represented as well! The Rep won't need to come up here on the East and same on the West. We'll be ignored! Not fair! Also, you DON'T NEED TO SPLIT THESE COUNTIES to get even populations so why do it unless you're trying to gerrymander? Please put two biggies on each side: Galatin on East with Yellowstone and Flathead contingently nice on West, with Missoula. Also, keep Glacier over on West and the tribe. THIS will allow for better representation by the Rep. The Rep will be able to better represent a district that has similar needs, bringing it to the center, hearing the voices of the minorities, like the tribes. Please consider such a new map if possible. Thank you.

Talk about gerrymandering! Map 11 is it. So..Park County borders Sweetgrass, Stillwater, Meagher, and Carbon counties and yet Livingston is too good for them and needs to be with Bozeman? Park County is not just Livingston folks. Arguably, in the coming years Livingston will gradually have less and less in common with Bozeman simply because Bozeman is pricing itself out of Montana! Interstate 90 does runs to Billings which is seasonably safer than fighting the pass to Bozeman to buy a $400 dollar hamburger! And, pretty sure a large portion of Lewis & Clark folks would say their county blends in more with Cascade (Great Falls) than say....Deer Lodge, or Missoula, especially those East of the divide. Finally, Bozeman folks argue against splitting up the town. Understand the that argument. But, do me a favor and go look at the last Montana legislature redistricting for 2010 to 2022. Bozeman has four (4) different districts. Just found that interesting. Thanks for allowing my comments.

CP11 is obviously gerry-mandered to create a "competitive" district to allow Democrats the opportunity to gain a seat. Flathead County/Kalispell is not part of eastern Montana. There is no constitutionally or practically valid rationale that any congressional district be "competitive". CP10 is the more balanced of the 2 finalists. It more closely matches the natural geographical boundaries of the Continental Divide, following the suggestion John Wesley Powell that our political boundaries should be more aligned with watershed boundaries. They should be representative of the people and the landform.

Flathead County is in the far northwest part of the state so why artificially carve out Whitefish? Do not think this map represents the state properly - Map 10 geo East/West is best

This map does not represent the true political makeup of the voters of Montana. It does not acknowledge that Montana is a conservative state with a vast republican majority, but attempts to gerrymander the new congressional district so that leftist democrats have a chance to secure a congressional seat that they most certainly have not earned.

If the purpose of redistricting is to redistrict, and not rely on politics, why do most commenters rely on politics? If we WERE to rely on politics, we'd be forced to draw lines according to party affiliation. Montana is an overwhelming majority-Republican, majority-conservative state. Neither district -- East-West, nor a hypothetical North-South -- votes for the democratic party as a majority, only pockets of people here and there. There is no substantial Democratic majority in any county here. So what do our districts look like if the goal is to draw lines according to party affiliation? Do we want that? Do we REALLY want to bring the politics into this? This map is more political than our friend, Map 10. Although, if this is supposed to be political, BOTH maps offer far too much space for the few areas that DO vote for the Democratic party. That isn't fair to the Republicans, again, I only say this if we're going to be political, as most people are...

I’ve never seen the dumbed-down education and entitled welfare system on better display than I am right now. Most of you are completely clueless as to what this process is about. What’s more, you don’t want to understand it. We are NOT supposed to look at how redistricting one certain way will “better serve” the new districts, via “competition,” while you also propose to care about “shared values”… What kind of education have you all had that gives you these ideas? How have you been brought up? Where does this sense of entitlement come from? You want the Democrats to have a better chance to win in the Western district because that will be “better”? Better for whom? The Blackfeet? In your new and final map here, you’ve tossed the importance of “shared values” that you held near and dear a couple short weeks ago. Why? The Blackfeet is a very important and influential tribe – one of the largest IN THE COUNTRY – who likely has “shared values” with Western Montana. Yeah? Will the Blackfeet be “better” in the East? I’m sure they will be fine and the sun will still rise, but the optics are quite poor for the Democrats. One may wonder if you don’t just use the Montana tribes when it benefits you politically…one may wonder…but History SHOWS the truth. I always thought people communicated what was in their “best interest” at the ballot box. Since when do we have a system manipulated to try and tell everyone what their “best interest” is, to determine the OUTCOME? It seems the Dems want to have the best chance for a pre-determined outcome…this was communicated in neon at a recent hearing…granted, democrat numbers are down and dwindling, thanks to your man installed as “President.” How is that working out for you? But let’s take a step back here. I’ll try and play along with the Left’s way of thinking, trying to “fix” vote outcomes. Let’s do what we’re NOT supposed to do: let’s look at the 2020 presidential vote and crunch numbers as we decide how to draw two congressional districts in Montana, for the “betterment” of the West. "We’re so thoughtful, we’re like martyrs." Based on Montana’s 2020 presidential election returns: Map 11’s Western District has 13 counties that voted majority Republican; average republican vote was at 67% in the 13 counties; total republican votes in these 13 COUNTIES was 92,436; total republican vote in this map’s Western District, DISTRICT-WIDE= 160,410. Map 11’s Western District has only four counties that voted majority Democrat; average democratic vote was at 55% in the four counties; total democratic votes in these four COUNTIES was 93,355; total democratic vote in this map’s Western District, DISTRICT-WIDE = 147,627. In the West, which party had the most votes in the 2020 Presidential election returns? Not the Democrats. Mind you, this count doesn’t even reflect the hi-jinks likely played out in places like Missoula, where democratic vote counts are possibly inflated, sketchy at best, fraudulent at worst. Time will bring forth the truth. Anyhow, the Democrats DO NOT have more votes than Republicans in Map 11, based on the 2020 presidential returns. If we want what’s “best” for everyone, and we're going full politic here, wouldn’t the Democrats try to draw a district that reflects MAJORITY concerns, values, etc.? Why force a democrat district when the Western district is NOT democrat? Let’s take this a step further: In Map 10, still looking at 2020 presidential returns, the Western District would have 12 majority republican counties, plus a geographically-small republican-majority portion of Gallatin County; DISTRICT-WIDE voter totals for the republicans would be approximately 139,000. Democrats in Map 10 would still have four majority counties in the Western District, with an approximate total of 113,000 votes DISTRICT-WIDE. It’s easy to see that the democrats have higher numbers in the Western District when Map 11 is employed and Gallatin County is contained, to the tune of (approximately) 35,000 more votes than can be found when Map 10 is used. However, they still DO NOT have more Democrats than Republicans, now matter how you try and slice the state up to your benefit, it isn’t happening. But Map 10 offers the western district a better share of the reservations, which the democrats have hitherto argued to be a most important factor. Map 11 is clearly gerrymandering, which is illegal, which is fraudulent, and this crap needs to stop. Montana is NOT a democratic state. It simply IS NOT. It may change, but if/when it changes, it needs to happen at the ballot box. Fraudulent lines drawn to benefit one party over the other when the parties have already spoken IS FRAUD. It's CHEATING. The democrats have to STOP CHEATING.

This map is the least favorable of the two maps proposed as it creates awkward division of the state. CP10 is the better option.

CP 11 is too convoluted -Flathead County has nothing in common with the counties in District 2. It should be rejected

Map CP-11 is a poor map that is based on trying to carve out specific party districts and it does not comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Select a map that actually adheres to law.

What was wrong with CP1?

Nice attempt at a more concealed gerrymander. How in the world can anyone keep a straight face and say Glacier is Eastern Montana? Really? The point is to make both districts as equal as possible of giving the voice to everyone, not carving out areas to make sure we have a split party state.

CP11 gerrymanders Flathead Co. into eastern Montana. This is a bad map. CP10 works better as Flathead needs to stay in Western Montana.

Of the two options, Map 11 is the most fair to both parties. It also keeps Gallatin County united.

This map does more harm than good for the people. It gerrymanders way too much. It divides the Indian Nations. It creates divisions in our state. It is unacceptable.

Map CP-11 is a terrible map that is based on trying to carve out specific party districts and does not comply with Montana Statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw out this map and select map CP-1 as the map is most fair and actually adheres to the law.

Of the two maps this one (CP-11) I strongly oppose as it splits our county and adds our community to the eastern side of the state. Travel would be difficult and burdensome for our candidates who run with no guarantees.

SPLITTING AND PUTTING PART OF THE FLATHEAD IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT IS UNACCEPTABLE. CP 10 IS A BETTER CHOICE

This is the least favorable of the two compromise maps. It creates and artificial and awkward division of the state into two districts.

a. The configurations of both districts 1 and 2 are less compact with this map than with CD-10, giving rise to awkward and inconvenient lines of communication between distant areas in the respective districts. This makes interagency coordination and cooperation for emergencies and contingency operations more complex and difficult. b. This map breaks the historical western slope community of interest among Flathead and the other counties on the western side of the continental divide, and also divides Flathead County into three pieces, with two geographically separate pieces in District 1 and one, by far the largest piece, in District 2. c. This map places only 1 Indian reservation in District 1, with all the rest in District 2 and thus is detrimental to Indian voting rights in District 1. d. This map places 3 of the 8 largest cities in District 2 and 5 of the 8 in District 1. This unbalanced distribution places the fastest growing county (Gallatin) and city (Bozeman) into District 1, which will have to bear the economic stress of that growth rather than have that stress shared across both districts and both Representatives. Additionally the deviation in population, is likely to become distorted and significantly out of balance as this growth occurs.

This map does not work because the map splits a county West of the Continiental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District. Flathead County has little to no political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number counties to the East. It also isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities. It looks like a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along politcal lines

Map -11 is a terrible map because it is based on trying to carve out specific party districts and doesn’t comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw out this map and select CP-1 as it is the best map that adheres to the law.

CP-11 does not seem competitive with 5 cities that usually vote blue--Whitefish, Missoula, Butte, Bozeman, and Livingston. It pulls Flathead out awkwardly--large area to cover for Eastern district. I prefer to go back to Map CP-1.

Map CP11 puts the Flathead in the East Montana district! I believe that The Flathead IS WESTERN Montana and can not support this map! The Flathead, what comes to mind? Kalispell area. No way does the Flathead or Kalispell or Bigfork belong with our wonderful eastern part of Montana. The Flathead is Western Montana.

This map is gerrymandered. Flathead county needs to be with the rest of western Montana.

Map CP-11 is a terrible map that is based on trying to carve out specific party districts. It does NOT comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw away this map and select map CP-1 as compliant with the law.

I'm pretty sure a a high school government class could read the law and get this done with common sense. This makes no sense from so many aspects.

Please reject this map. It makes no sense to divide Flathead, furthermore the Flathead has no economic or cultural ties with most of the Eastern district. This is strictly partisan.

This map fails to split the state evenly. Putting the Flathead in an Eastern District makes no sense. Reservation representation lopsided. Please reject this map.

This map would definitely favor a Democratic candidate in CD 1. Tying Bozeman and Missoula into the same district would tip the balance away from rural voters.

Please do not divide Flathead County with part of it in Western District and part in Eastern District--that is absurd!

This is clearly a illegal and unconstitutional map. Thid is based only on creating a Democrat district. This illegally puts tribes in one district and splits Flathead County for political purposes only. This will end up in Federal Court.

it does not make any sense to split the county and have it devided like this.

The ill-advised comments of support for this map lead me to the conclusion that #11 map is the result of conscious political gerrymandering. This map was arranged to provide a conclusive D party win. That is gerrymandering. The divisions by established standards should be based on geography and population. Why is there a concern about splitting towns? Population wise, it makes sense and it would encourage candidates to take into account all political perspectives in their district. It dramatically decreases divisive outcomes

This Map 11 is designed to harm communities of interest, such as forestry and tourism for Flathead Valley. It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana. Map 11 is a blatant partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines evidenced by the vast expanse covered by the Eastern District. How could a representative be in touch or part of a community so far away from their base?

this map is lame and gerrymandered. Kalispell and the Flathead Valley have very little if no political or economical ties to the eastern part of the state. Why'd you lump Kalispell with any town/city east of the Mountains is beyond me unless of course one is trying to gerrymander the state into two distinct factions, one blue and one red.

No part of Flathead County should be considered in the Eastern District. This map is gerrymandered to include both Universities in one district. This map is drawn in an attempt to anoint a Democrat to the Western District.

I support map #10. Neither feels perfect to me, but this one keeps Western and Eastern Montana separated in a way that makes more sense. It includes both the CSKT and Blackfeet Reservations in the Western District, allowing for a stronger voice for the tribes in the new western district. Both districts are compact, contiguous and nearly equal population. It ties together the main watershed regions of the Western Divide counties in Montana for tourism, power generation, and mussel invasive species defense, which includes long scientific research and culturally connected major bodies of water. It keeps communities of interests centered on tourism and service industries together which are all shared between Glacier National Park, Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. I would also urge you to make sure you are following the Montana State Code and the rules laid out for redistricting including: (3) A district may not be drawn for the purposes of favoring a political party or an incumbent legislator or member of congress. . It is obvious to me that map #11 (which I oppose) is attempting to split Whitefish out of Flathead County is for political reasons and gain. and map #11. While neither map is perfect, I would have huge concerns about the legality of this map: (3) A district may not be drawn for the purposes of favoring a political party or an incumbent legislator or member of congress. The following data or information may not be considered in the development of a plan: (a) addresses of incumbent legislators or members of congress; (b) political affiliations of registered voters; It is obvious to me that Whitefish was split out of Flathead County for political reasons. Please vote no on this map.

It is a lopside geographical map that took a lot of creative gerrymander by the Democrats and Independants that somehow think a 2nd district ought to guarantee we have 1 democratic representative and 1 republican one - pre-ordained by them because they are tired of not having a democrat in the single district we've had for years. It cuts into the Western Part of the State and splits up counties and jurisdictions & Cities in a sloppy manner that is not reflective of either west or eastern regions of Montana. It puts the heaviest growth cities in the western region that are already trending more democratic with Missoula and Bozeman, and it disproportionately puts the majority of Tribal lands & reservations in the Eastern district - another lopsides sloppy outcome. Knowing where voting trends are headed demographically this map CP 11 will result in 2 democratic districts by the next Census in 2030. The outcome the democrats would love and for all the wrong reasons. Let's not forget this state voted heavily for republican presidential candidates for most of the last several elections, and normally votes republican for decades for the majority of State wide offices and republicans have a slight majority in the Legislature. We have a democratic and republican senator in Washington DC - which proof that we are a bipartisan state with repubilcan leanings in the end. This Map throws all that away & is just a blatant cheap stunt power grab with no logic or fairness to it. And it's why people like me despise politicians & stunts like this and the eventual outcomes. Do the right thing and use CP - 10. It is a lot more reasonable than this excuse for fairness.

I do not like this map, its obvious this map is drawn to favor one party. It certainly does not meet the requirements of HB 506, which is the Law of Montana. CP1 is the best choice and meets all the requirements of the Law. Redistricting should be about what is equitable, right and fair for all Montana! We are either a Nation and State of Laws or we are not.

This thing is an egregious gerrymander at best, leaping 100 miles to rip Republican votes out of competition with the Missoula/Bozeman progressive axis. Bozeman, on the other hand, is ADJACENT to Park County in the east. This is prima facie garbage. "Fairness" my can. "Competitive," my rosy red.

This map does not fit because the Kalispell area has such a great influence on the western part of Montana and to not let it have representation that effects that part of the state is not equitable. Also the geographical location does not fit with the eastern part of the state.

A clear attempt to gerrymander a specific political outcome rather than keeping people in the same geography and with common economic interests together. Keep the Flathead united and in the West! Terrible map!

Both Map 10 and 11 have been heavily gerrymandered. However map 11 puts 1/2 of Flathead County in the Eastern District of Montana which is political bunk. Map 10 is far more in line with Montana's Constitutional Requirements. Map 11 is blatant gerrymandering for the Democrats.

I do not like this map because it puts Flathead County in the eastern district and I do not see what Flathead County has in common with the eastern part of the state. It seems to me it more closely aligns with the western district economically.

I dislike this map. It appears to be an unnatural east vs. west split. There is obvious Gerrymandering in the Flathead area to favor Democrats. The other map probably favors republicans, but unless you do major questionable Gerrymandering, it always will. What's wrong with this since most of the state is republican? It is unfair to split it purposely so that democrats get a rep. Look at our last election- Montanan's want republicans. Don't accept a map that changes the will of the people. Make a simple east/west line.

Flathead County is west of the Continental Divide and certainly should be included as part of the West District. I do not like the idea of breaking counties into areas. This map not only puts most of Flathead County in the Eastern District which is rediculous, but includes areas a couple hundred miles to the east in the Western District. It also cleverly shows Whitefish, only about 13 miles due north of Kalispell included into the western district which is a clearly a political move.

I do not believe splitting Flathead County and moving it to the east side for representation will accurately represent our area. Our area has a geographical and cultural unity and it should stay as one area for representation.

I am District #1 County Commissioner from Flathead Co. and this map would place my residence in the eastern congressional district and the majority of the people in my district in the western congressional district. I don't believe this division is legal according to state law because it is obviously being put forth to consider competitiveness which is contrary to state law.

Subject: Congressional Redistricting Map Chair Smith and Commissioners. The two newly proposed maps (CP-10 and CP-11) are terrible maps as they are based on trying to carve out specific party districts and do not comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw out these two new maps and select map CP-1 as it’s the best map that adheres to the law. Thank you for your consideration.

Subject: Congressional Redistricting Map Chair Smith and Commissioners. The two newly proposed maps (CP-10 and CP-11) are terrible maps as they are based on trying to carve out specific party districts and do not comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw out these two new maps and select map CP-1 as it’s the best map that adheres to the law. Thank you for your consideration.

This map does not accurately divide the districts. A better plan would be shown in Map CP10.

I am District #1 County Commissioner from Flathead Co. and this map would place my residence in the eastern congressional district and the majority of the people in my district in the western congressional district. I don't believe this division is legal according to state law because it is obviously being put forth to consider competitiveness which is contrary to state law.

I do not support this map. It's division does not fairly represent the area population.

CP11, in my opinion, seems specifically developed to favor one political party over another, versus CP10. Actually would like CP1 to be revived to consider among top choice(s) if process leads to such an opening.

This is a bad map. It is terribly gerrymandered.

I cannot support CP11 alternative map. It appears to split a county over political ideology and isolate one tribal community from all other tribal communities. This map as drawn has the overtone of political gerrymandering to make one political party more competitive over the other. I hope that the final decision does not come down to making a district more competitive for one party, this is not what the redistricting process is about nor is allowed by law.

Doesn't make any sense to not only pull the majority of Flathead County into the "eastern" part of the state, but to then also split out part of it doesn't really fit with what is going on here. The lines seem very selectively drawn around certain areas of the Flathead County.

Flathead county should remain in the western district.

I cannot support this alternative. Really; splitting a county over political ideology! This map as drawn has the overtone of political gerrymandering to make one political party more competitive over the other. I hope that the final decision does not come down to making a district more competitive for one party, this is not what the redistricting process is about nor is allowed by law.

CP #1 should be the go to Map. It follows the KISS principle and it is geographically logical, compact and contiguous. There has to be some splitting of counties, but CP 11 putting Flathead County in the East except for the Whitefish area is purely partisan gerrymandering. It's proponents talk of competitiveness, but in their doublespeak it is just another word for winning. That is not a guiding principle. Montana has shown time and again to defy prognosticators voting for President Trump by a wide margin during a sixteen year run of Democratic governors.

Map 11 does not make sense. Keep Flathead in west. Has nothing in comparison to eastern Montana. Be realistic. Don't accept this map.

Please DO NOT pick this division. Thank you.

I am not even going to try to be diplomatic about this redistricting plan. It is the most stupid thing I have ever seen. I've always felt pride in Montana for be fair and having integrity. This proposed plan includes neither of those attribute. Shame on you for even proposing it.

I dislike Map CP 11 because it splits Flathead County, which would create a demarcate districts, and It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities. I fill that the tribal community need to have equal voice in both districts. You need to follow MCA 5-1-115 the Redistricting Criteria to create equal and fair districts.

This map seems like obvious gerrymandering. Splitting Flathead county so the majority of the counties votes don’t effect the democratic strongholds of Missoula etc yet they still get Whitefish votes is wrong. The point of the districting is not to keep like minded area together. If you want people to feel like their vote counts don’t pick this one.

I prefer CP10 over this one.

While neither map is perfect, I would have huge concerns about the legality of this map: (3) A district may not be drawn for the purposes of favoring a political party or an incumbent legislator or member of congress. The following data or information may not be considered in the development of a plan: (a) addresses of incumbent legislators or members of congress; (b) political affiliations of registered voters; It is obvious to me that Whitefish was split out of Flathead County for political reasons. Please vote no in this map.

The splitting of Flathead county into both districts makes no sense. Flathead county is separated wholly from eastern Montana, geographically. All of Flathead County should be contained within the western district, with the other counties that it has direct ties with, geographically and politically.

I dislike this map because for the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District

Flathead county has NO economic ties, nor cultural or political with the majority of the counties in the Eastern district. Flathead has ALWAYS been a part of western MT, the Whole County! This map (cp 11) separates the flathead and the Canadian interface that brings the Canadian tourists to the Flathead ,and to the Blackfeet, tourism areas. Map 11 makes it so that the districts are not compact; once you split up Flathead co you make a candidate or elected official for the eastern district, to have to travel a lot of miles and to travel across the divide in what would be difficult travel in winter, to campaign or to stay in touch with those in the flathead, therefore it does not meet with the criteria of MT law. This map also isolates the Kootani tribe from all the others. Map 11 thus seriously messes up the presumable goal of more equal representation within district 1 and 2 for the tribal community as noted by the commission's figures on the maps. Additionally, by law you must choose what is the least disruptive to the communities. Gallatin county on the east side is primarily rural, the west side associates more with bozeman so a split there has merit. However Flathead county populace is associated with everything in the west. It has never been "eastern MT." CP 11 appears to be a partisan attempt to split the flathead along political lines. Therefore we urge you for these reasons, to NOT adopt CP 11.

Flathead County resides west of the Continental Divide, plain and simple. There is no logical reason to overextend the reach of the eastern counties this far, as it disproportionally skews the representation that members of Eastern Montana counties have over their considerably further West counterparts.

MT Law HB 506 which became law 5/14/2021 says: (3) A district may not be drawn for the purposes of favoring a political party or an incumbent legislator or member of congress. Does it appear that this map may not follow this Law?

Splitting Flathead County makes no sense. This split creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana, while isolating one tribal community from all other tribal communities. This appears to be a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines, which is unacceptable. Further, this map violates the requirement that districts are "compact", forcing candidates to travel vast distances to campaign.

Wow the flathead is eastern MT???? One Reservation in the west???? The eastern rep has a lot of miles to cover across Hwy 2, this map is not worth considering.

I'm a hard "NO" on CP-11. It is unfair to split Flathead County in half.

When I think of Eastern Montana I think of towns like Billings, Miles City, Sidney, and KALISPELL. Can we say gerrymandering at its finest.

This map is a partisan train wreck.

The idea of splitting Flathead County is ludicrous. Kalispell has about as much in common with Plentywood as Oz does with New York City. Please, please scrap this idea--it makes no common sense whatever.

In my opinion, the Redistricting Commission should throw out all previous maps and go with this map proposed by Tonya Dyas that has NO SPLIT Counties or Reservations. In addition, it ensures "communities of interest" have approximately equal representation in BOTH districts, as well as that BOTH districts have borders with Canada. As Tonya wrote: "I don't think more perfect maps could be drawn. These proposed maps are based strictly upon population & contiguous counties. Absolutely no gerrymandering was involved. No counties are divided and none of the Tribal groups are divided. Best yet, the population difference between District 1 & 2 is only +/- 50 people for a population deviation of 0% . It complies with all the Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. The population of the green district is 542,062 (-50) and the orange district is 542,163 (+51) for a net difference of 101. The big thing is that NOT ONE COUNTY IS SPLIT !" The important point is that this map is LEGAL. As I said in my comments last time, we should be focusing on COOPERATION as EQUALS, not on competition between those who accept Reality and their places in it and those who do not. Thank you.

Never before in Montana history has a western county, Flathead, been included in an Eastern District. Flathead County is not at all similar to the Eastern District with regards to its political, economic or cultural makeup.

When evaluating this map 2 questions need to be asked: 1) Do Whitefish and Kalispell have less in common than Gallatin and Park counties. The answer: No.... splitting Flathead county so that Park county must be added to the west to balance the map is really wrong. Also the constitutional requirement of keeping communities intact is violated. I would say that Park county actually identifies with and relies on Billings more than Bozeman. NO on this map The second question: How does grossly favoring republicans in the east make it OK that democrats are therefore not as behind in the west? It doesn't make it OK! NO on this map.

I urge a do not adopt on this map, it is a partisan attempt to split my community along political lines. Flathead County is in a community of interest with the West. I do not support any split of the county. For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District. It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities.

This map clearly diminishes the Native American voice in the western district by only including one reservation, leaving the seven others in the eastern district. In my opinion, clearly trying to send a message of exclusion and lack of representation by dividing the state this way.

It's not right to have Flathead county divided between 2 districts. It is and always will be part of western Montana.

This map should be in the dictionary under gerrymandering. Although it is illegal to consider competitiveness, it is clear that the Commission will ultimately choose a map based on competitiveness. If that is the case, then the Commission should define competitiveness and agree on the standard that will be used to determine competitiveness Since this is a map that will determine two U.S. Congressional Districts, the best way to measure competitiveness is to use the U.S. House Races In determining competitiveness, the Commission should use races outside of 2020 I dislike this map because: For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots It fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities It a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines It is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District

I highly dislike Map 11 because it is gerrymandering at its best by splitting flathead county and putting part of flathead county in the eastern district when they have nothing alike with that side of the state. Flathead county has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the easter district. It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities which is unfair. It is designed to attempt to split the flathead along political lines.

Map 11 is so poorly designed that someone wants us to believe Flathead County is not in western Montana. Lets get the politics out of redistricting and attempt to use geography along with population. Both districts should benefit from the resources of one of our major universities. Common sense should be that a population center centrally located is the ideal candidate to be split into both districts. The Bozeman area is rapidly growing to the west and should be considered the ideal location for final line adjustments for population. Folks running for office would have to consider all sides of an issue when they campaign. After all we want our representatives to work together for all of Montana not just the East or West. Will Bozeman really mind having two representatives? Put the line along 19th or main!

Redistricting must ensure population equality, compactness, contiguity and compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act. There is no Constitutional authority to inject a "competitiveness" component into the process. Competitiveness is subjective, and exists only in the minds of the beholder. I reject Map 11 and I support Map 10.

Use Map 10 not 11 for redistricting. Flathead County/Blackfeet reservation should not be handled this way per map 11. Gallatin County population growth is a concern for all but putting it in the west is not right.

Map 11 – I dislike this map because: *For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District *Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District *Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots *It fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism *It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana *It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities *It a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines *It is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District

This map disrespects the Continental Divide. Constituents East and West of the Divide have different interests and concerns. Citizens would not have their interests properly represented, especially in the Northwest part of the state. Do better. Also, UM and MSU should be in different districts so they are not competing for money/appropriations/grants with the same congressman/congressional office. Each major university ought to have its own congressional representative.

This map does a good job at deception. The population is even now but will soon be uneven as most of the fastest growing counties are in the western district. Kalispell is included in the east which just doesn't make sense. And there is only one reservation in the west which is very unfair to the Native population.

I find it hard to believe that this map is even a choice. It gives the Native American community no voice in the west district with only one community being represented. It gives the west district barely any northern border exposure, and placing Gallatin and Park Counties together is clearly trying to gerrymander. Throw this map out. Map 1 was the far superior map, second place is map 10.

Why, other than partisan politics, is this map even being considered? Flathead County has absolutely nothing in common with Eastern Montana. When we do non-partisan activities in this state, such as sports, Flathead is in the West and Gallatin is in the East. That's what should have been done here, which would have put the fastest growing counties in different districts. But at least the other map under consideration puts some of Gallatin in the East, while splitting up the fastest growing county in the state to comply with equal population requirements..

I dislike Map Option 11 because: For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District. Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District and, even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots. This map also fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism. It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana and, it isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities. This is a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines and does not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District. Although it is illegal to consider competitiveness, it is clear that the Commission will ultimately choose a map based on competitiveness. If that is the case, then the Commission should define competitiveness and agree on the standard that will be used to determine competitiveness. Since this is a map that will determine two U.S. Congressional Districts, the best way to measure competitiveness is to use the U.S. House Races in determining competitiveness, the Commission should use races outside of 2020.

Please refer to Montana Code Annotated 2021 5-1-115 Redistricting criteria which state the state's criteria AND federal criteria... COMPETITIVE is NOT a legal criterion. "Competitive" comes from quality candidates, not from redistricting. This map is gerrymandering.

The map is supposed to give people on the east and west districts equal representation. This is pure partisan politics being played at our expense. While the second choice is somewhat better both these maps fail. Map 1 is still the superior choice

This ridiculous map puts the divide west of the continental divide and shouldn’t even be drawn for consideration

Splitting up Montana in this manner, with Flathead in the East, is absurd and doesn't pass the smell test. Please reject this map.

Why in the world would you split Flathead County and put most of it in the far Eastern District? Makes no sense at all. CP10 is much more representative of Montana and more fair to the voters.

We in the Flathead are NOT Western Montana. Map 5 that is not being considered now was the best and most fair map that was presented. I don't understand why you got rid of it?

I do not support this map. Kalispell should not be in the same district as Billings. This is not representative division of boundaries and should not be considered.

This map doesn't make sense, and should never have been proposed. I hope that Montana ends up with the fair, reasonable map proposed in CP10.

This map is a try to sabotage the democracy. absolutely not !!!

Missoula and Bozeman should be in separate districts to be fair

I support neither CP11 or CP 10. Both seem to be clear examples of gerrymandering. How does Flathead county have more in common with the eastern district than Gallatin county? I suspect that many Flathead county residents are unhappy. The districts are supposed to represent the people, and NOT political parties!

Subject: Congressional Redistricting Map Chair Smith and Commissioners, The two newly proposed maps (CP-10 and CP-11) are terrible maps as they are based on trying to carve out specific party districts and do not comply with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements. Please throw out these two new maps and select map CP-1 as it’s the best map that adheres to the law. Thank you for your consideration. Karen Cramer

Reject this map, it is a blatant attempt to divide a conservative county.

Reject this map.

Congressional districts should have a balance of geographies, communities and populations. This map does not achieve that goal. It’s ludicrous to think Flathead should be part of the Eastern district. The two university cities should definitely be separated. This map all but eliminates the Canadian interface for the Western district. There is questionable adherence to the Montana Code Annotated 2021 - Redistricting Criteria: "(2) (a): The districts MUST be compact, meaning that the compactness of a district is greatest when the length of the district and the width of a district are equal. A district may not have an average length greater than three times the average width unless necessary to comply with the Voting Rights Act.” — Has a cartographer confirmed that the Western district in this map actually complies with the Redistricting Criteria for compactness? ______________________ "(3) A district may not be drawn for the purposes of favoring a political party or an incumbent legislator or member of congress. The following data or information MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED in the development of a plan: (b) political affiliations of registered voters" — The recently adopted consideration of competitiveness should not usurp mandatory criteria. Clearly gerrymandering in the name of competitiveness is at work on this map.

CP-11 puts a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) in the Eastern District. Anyone who looks at this map can tell it is drawn for political reasons, which is contrary to Montana law. Also, Flathead County has no political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District. Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots. This maps does not keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism by putting Flathead in the Eastern District. CP-11 is a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines. This map does not comply with Montana law because it is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel from one corner of the state to another to campaign.

CP11 is a partisan attempt to make the Bozeman area a super democrat stronghold. Most of that area is populated with out of state people that bring out of state ideas. The Canadian interface in CP 11 is all but eliminated from the representation of the western representative. Splitting up the Flathead it is obviously politically and competitively motivated. This map makes it obvious that competitiveness is the driving force of the democratic side of the commission. Competitiveness was NOT supposed to be the primary prerequisite to making a map that the majority of the state will have to deal with for the next decade. The wording in the rules stated may not will or shall. Majority of Montana rejects CP11

Please reject both CP 10 and 11 and go with Map 1 as it complies with Montana statutes and constitutional requirements.. Thank you

I dislike this map because For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District • Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District • Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots • It fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism • It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana • It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities • It a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines • It is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District

I dislike this map because • For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District • Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District • Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots • It fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism • It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana • It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities • It a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines • It is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District

I dislike this map because For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District. Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District. Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots. It fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism. It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana. It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities. It a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines. It is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District.

This map does not meet the compactness criteria for redistricting because it divides communities with common interests for political purposes. While this map keeps Gallatin and Park counties compact, it does the opposite for Flathead County. This map tries to skew a more Democratic vote by splitting Whitefish and Kalispell. The Flathead should be compact regardless of how politically different those two communities are. In addition, this map divides Columbia Falls, West Glacier, and Browning into the eastern district. Those communities do not belong in the same district as the communities in eastern Montana. It also harms the communities of the Blackfeet tribe by politically prioritizing Gallatin and Park counties into the west. Is that really how we want to treat the Native population? Sparing their vote because predominant white communities Bozeman and Livingston matter more?

I dislike this map because • For the first time ever in Montana history, this map splits a county West of the Continental Divide (Flathead) and puts it in an Eastern District • Flathead County has zero political, economic or cultural ties with the vast number of counties in the Eastern District • Even though both districts include the Canada Interface, Map CP-11 separates the Canada Interface which brings Canadian tourists to Flathead and Blackfeet tourism spots • It fails to keep communities of interest intact, such as forestry and tourism • It creates a District with communities that share no interests between Western Montana and Eastern Montana • It isolates one tribal community from all other tribal communities • It a partisan attempt to split the Flathead along political lines • It is not compact when a candidate for the Eastern District would have to travel vast distances to campaign in the Eastern District

This map attempts to pack Democratic votes by including as many metro centers as possible into the western district.

Bad map! This map clearly ensures a Democratic stronghold with Bozeman and Missoula included in one district. The point of the committee is to select fair maps. Neither of the maps in my opinion are good options. The committee selected two very partisan maps and its very clear!

No map that includes any part of Montana west of the Continental Divide in the Eastern District should be considered!

Reject this map for dividing a large county and splitting a large community (Kalispell). Resurrect map CP-1.

This map is EVEN WORSE than the other one. REJECT THIS MAP

Why are all the heavy democrat areas all concentrated into one district? Clearly a gerrymandering effort. Very strange division of the flathead that is not necessary. Go back to East-west division that has worked historically.

How long is it going to take for you to remove the liberal politics out of redistricting? I am ashamed of the job you are doing public servants. Why are you so reluctant to leave the choice of government up to "we the people" of the State of Montana by creating districts that split east/west and do not weight the democratic side?(maybe follow the continental divide? it is one of the natural barriers that was spoken of in the law you are supposed to be complying with) If the majority of the people in Montana have conservative values that is none of your business. It is your job to create districts that follow the will of the people and the Law in our state. Not to ''correct'' or I should say ''give control of'' our state to a minority view.

How long is it going to take for you to remove the liberal politics out of redistricting? I am ashamed of the job you are doing public servants. Why are you so reluctant to leave the choice of government up to "we the people" of the State of Montana by creating districts that split east/west and do not weight the democratic side?(maybe follow the continental divide? it is one of the natural barriers that was spoken of in the law you are supposed to be complying with) If the majority of the people in Montana have conservative values that is none of your business. It is your job to create districts that follow the will of the people and the Law in our state. Not to ''correct'' or I should say ''give control of'' our state to a minority view.

I'm suspicious that Montana values will slide farther from our Montana consciousness due to transplants and students coming from other areas into our University towns. This map emphasizes the larger towns grouped together into one district. Bad plan because the big cities are becoming more and more uncompetitive politically as transplants from other areas move there.

This map is clearly gerrymandering a democrat district. It is not compact and divides communities with common interests. Some tribal voices will be rendered mute. There is no competition with this map. Dem and Rep districts will be enshrined permanently. People won't have incentive to vote. Bad map favoring Democrats and little legitimate benefits.

This map is not fair! It is an attempt to consolidate a single party into one district. It puts all the larger (growing) cities into one district except Billings. The tribal communities are unduly represented in both districts and minimizes the importance of tribal input. This map clearly creates a democratic district that is noncompetitive to fairly represent this state. The Montana values need to be protected from liberal transplants that will move into the larger cities and move us further away from the Montana way of life (freedom of government tyranny).

A district map should not be drawn to favor any party. This one does. Don’t break up counties and add more confusion . Map 11 doesn’t give enough say to the Native American Communities who have always gotten a raw deal. Tonia Dyas constructed a GREAT map I believe it was Number CP 1 . I don’t feel it got the consideration it deserved . She worked very hard too incorporate the Native American Territories and the larger cities in a fair and honest way moving forward. Please review it with fresh eyes. If you choose not to then CP 10 is at least a better choice than CP 11.

I do not like this map. It takes all the items important to the democrats like both universities in the same district and splitting the Flathead with Whitefish(democrat) in the west with Missoula, Bozeman and Butte and putting Kalispell and Big Fork in the East?? I am amazed that they have abandoned their tribal allies with only one nation in the west and the rest in the super republican district in the east, essentially neutering any influence or importance to their perspectives. I am curious to see the tribal response to being thrown under the bus.

I don't like this map. Although it is better in that it leaves Gallatin County intact, it still splits Flathead County. I think counties should be left intact. Keep trying.

Both map 10 & map 11 are bad maps. They both carve up their respective "sacrificed county" in an attempt to get the population deviation where they want it. Map 10 carves up Gallatin county, and Map 11 carves up Flathead county. These counties are carved up so bad that voting precincts are divided ! Something that the district drawing tools provided to "we the people" don't allow us to do - therefore neither of these maps can be recreated in the provided tools. How about y'all stop gerrymandering and go look at the map I drew and submitted back in Sept. It meets ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS : contiguous, compact, DOES NOT SPLIT ANY COUNTIES, does not split any Native American territories, and the population deviation is +/- 50 The Democrats should like it because it has Missoula, Great Falls & Helena all in the same district. The Republicans should like it because it separates Gallatin (the fastest growing county) from Missoula. This will hopefully keep the population growth in both districts fairly even over the next 10 years. Here's the URL - Go Look - it's a good map for everyone ! https://app.districtbuilder.org/projects/e0a5c47f-4434-47ff-b0a9-01233ba3a87b

This map is a blatant attempt to create a democratic district which is noncompetitive by carving out Kalispell and part of Bigfork and putting them in the East with Mile city and Glendive. It also minimizes the importance of all tribal input by putting only CSKT in a "democratic" stronghold, reducing their influence and putting all other nations in the East. I ask my fellow Montanans how they can justify the creation of a "competitive" district without gerrymandering, when the states' representatives are 67 Republicans and 33 Democrats, without using illegal criterion.

This map is the definition of gerrymandering - try to lump in as many liberal areas on the same map to win a seat. Why not straight down the middle of the state where the population is split evenly - why was that thrown out? Everything else is manipulation pure and simple.

I don't care for either of these maps, call this one GERRYMANDER! and the other one gerrymander lite. What is wrong with CP1 or Cp3 ? Oh yeah, they make the "progressives" scream because they don't cram a lopsided number of Republicans into the eastern district so they can carve out a U.S. House vote for the "New American Left" in the solidly Republican state of Montana! How come you don't list the distribution of R and D voters in this one? Is there some kind of secret to be kept? Think about all the disenfranchised R voters created when such a large # of them are shoehorned into the east. Think about what the left does to R voters when they have the advantage, why should we treat them any differently?

It makes no sense that I would be in the western district, while my family that lives 15 min north of me in Kalispell are in the same district as Broadus. Bozeman belongs in the eastern district far more than Kalispell.

Bozeman is less than a 6 hour drive from SE MT, Kalispell is 10.5! If you are going to split a region, splitting the fastest growing city in the state makes sense. If the goal is to make a "competitive" district then the commission should be looking at previous CONGRESSIONAL races and not presidential. In addition, if you make one district a 50/50 you are then making the other district uncompetitive.

This map seems to keep all the large cities but Billings in a group in one district and all puts all the Indian reservations in a group in the other district along with Billings. Big cities and the reservations always votes democrat. Unacceptable map

I think all of these maps but one (7) have been so poorly designed that I am tempted to say give the new representative to the next state in line in hopes that someone there makes decisions based on common sense instead of gerrymandering guiding a commission which is supposed to protect the people not a political party. Use the mountains for the divider and get on with it.

This map does not represent a equal split of the state it only gerrymanders a district to favor one party. This is an outright attempt to make sure all the more liberal areas are in one district. If you only take into account make a distribution more competitive and throw out the rest of the rules then this is that map. Other maps not used are better than this one.

This map gives an unfair advantage to the democrats in that both the college towns of Missoula and Bozeman are in the same district. Additionally, I live in Lake County, but in Bigfork along the Swan River. With this map, it separates us from the rest of Bigfork which is in Flathead county. Those in Bigfork in the Swan Lake area are also affected.

Putting Kalispell and much of Flathead County, by and large, into the same district as Broadus and Powder River County is inane. Maps 1, 3, 7 & 5 are much more representative of the industrial and economic differences in this State. Both CP -10 and 11 are unrealistic and strive to meet the subjective "competitive" standard. You can certainly do much better than either of these unqualified efforts.

This map tries, but fails in my opinion with the Flathead now part of Eastern Montana? Not a good compromise.

Shared Canada border: barely; reservations equally distributed: no; terrain and space evenly distributed, barely; main university towns equally represented: no; overall population evenly distributed between the districts, yes; counties divided, no; gerrymandered, somewhat (but better than the monstrosities introduced last week...I appreciate the effort from EVERYONE, but we have to be real). Thank you for giving us this chance to provide input.

While I appreciate the Commission's attempts to divide equally, Flathead County is a complete disaster. There needs to be consideration given to the local government being consolidated as much as possible within one district. Splitting Flathead County this way is a very transparent attempt to minimize the collective vote of that County in order to ensure maximum chances for the current Democratic Party.