From the Billings Gazette:
Peter Miller traveled the West observing states redrawing political districts. His upcoming dissertation on political sausage-making includes Montana and his hometown of Billings, where new legislative districts were hashed over Tuesday night. Here's what he's learned: "If you want to think about American governance and all that, read the 'Federalist Papers,'" Miller said Wednesday. "If you want to know how redistricting really works, read 'The Godfather....'" Miller is working on his doctorate in political science at the University of California, Irvine. He will produce a paper on public involvement in the process, which he will present in Chicago and Barcelona. He wants to see to what extent public input shapes the new districts. There's a perception that redistricting occurs in smoke-filled backrooms with little public input, but Miller suspects public input is growing as community data and mapping software make it easier for people to get involved.

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