Redistricting commission given until Dec. 21 to finish work

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The bipartisan commission charged with redrawing the boundaries for Connecticut’s congressional districts has been given more time to finish its work.

The State Supreme Court agreed this week to give the Reapportionment Commission until Dec. 21 at noon to finish its work redrawing the lines. The justices also ordered the commission to file an interim report no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 15 to update the court on the panel’s efforts.

That required status report, the court announced, must include names, addresses and telephone numbers of three people the commission would recommend to serve as a special master in case the panel doesn’t adopt a plan by Dec. 21.

Democrats and Republicans on the commission, who already unanimously approved new state legislative districts, have voiced optimism they will be meet the deadline.

In 2011, the last time boundaries were redrawn, lawmakers couldn’t reach agreement on the congressional districts and the state Supreme Court ultimately named a special master to redraw the lines.