Opinion ID: 1884792
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Aroostook County, Districts 34 and 35

Text: [¶ 7] Aroostook County comprises only two Districts. A concern was raised regarding the Court's proposed configuration of those districts because of the size of District 35 and the substantial distance involved in representing that district, in contrast with the much more compact area of proposed District 34. The Court concluded that the concerns raised at the public hearing directly addressed the Constitutional requirement of compactness. After careful consideration, the Court has reconfigured the two districts for Aroostook County, roughly along an east-west line. This configuration was adopted because: (a) It better meets the constitutional requirement of compactness; (b) The population ratio of the two districts is better balanced with the new lines; (c) The change has no effect on bordering districts; and (d) At the public hearing, no one objected to the proposal of the east-west line, including the representatives of the Democratic and Republican parties, each of whom were specifically asked to comment on the recommendation.