AUGUSTA (AP) — A new state commission has a big job ahead of it as it starts work on redrawing Maine’s 186 House and Senate district lines.

A mix of Democratic and Republican legislators and party leaders begin their work this afternoon in the State House. The Maine Constitution requires redistricting every 10 years in order to ensure that state legislative districts comport with population changes.

The apportionment panel will meet throughout the winter and spring to complete its work.

Two years ago, Maine’s two congressional districts’ lines were redrawn.

The Legislature has 130 days from the convening of the session Dec. 4 to apportion the district lines. If it fails to do so, the state Supreme Judicial Court must do the job within 60 more days.

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