Those with redistricting authority are mighty powerful in the states.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a commission, or a majority legislative body – they’ve got juice.  From BillingsGazette:

HELENA – Legislative leaders next week will appoint members of a pivotal commission that influences political control of the state for the next decade – and Democrats are saying no to a Republican suggestion on how to adjust the appointment process.

The commission is the Districting and Apportionment Commission, the five-member body that draws the state’s legislative district boundaries every 10 years.

Republicans are still steamed over the work of the 2000 commission, which was controlled 3-2 by Democrats and redrew districts that the GOP thought unfairly favored Democrats. Those districts took effect in 2004 and last until 2012.

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