Moments after Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval to plans to redraw political districts across the state, Governor Pete Ricketts signed the bills into law.The bills include a new congressional map that keeps Douglas County whole in the 2nd District, which also includes parts of Sarpy and Saunders Counties.It was green lights and smiles Thursday morning from senators as they concluded what had sometimes been a very contemptuous battle over political boundaries.In the end, all six redistricting bills covering the Congressional, Legislative, State Supreme Court, University of Nebraska Board of Regents, State Board of Education and Public Service Commission passed the final reading with at least 33 votes.All six final maps can be viewed right now on the Nebraska legislature's website."This was a very frustrating process. But we got to a very good result," said State Sen. Justin Wayne, the vice-chairperson of the legislature's Redistricting Committee.Lawmakers completed their work in special session, taking just 13 days.The 2020 census numbers were released in mid-August, giving lawmakers a small window to act in or delay primary elections."We had to pass maps so that candidates will be able to announce, and people would know who their representatives are," said State Sen. Adam Morfeld.Morfeld is a member of the Redistricting Committee."I don't think anybody came out of this 100% happy, including myself. But in the end, we had to make some tough decisions," Morfeld said.A big compromise was keeping Douglas County whole and in the 2nd Congressional District.That meant splitting Sarpy County to allow current U.S. Rep. Don Bacon to continue living in the district he represents."Everybody had to give, everybody," said the chairwoman of the committee, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan.She said the congressional and legislative maps were a package deal for many senators."They were never seen as a separate situation. They were tied together," Linehan said.She said the legislative boundaries came together when State Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, who is term-limited, agreed to move his District 36 to western Sarpy County."Williams' willingness to say, I'll be it. That was huge," Linehan said.Wayne also commended Williams."He put the state of Nebraska before anything else," Wayne said.Wayne said the redistricting process was the most transparent in Nebraska history and the maps, which will be in effect for 10 years, will withstand any court challenge."We followed all the guidelines set by our Supreme Court," Wayne said.He also said it should be also be noted that the entire process was led by a woman who represented Republican senators and a black man representing the Democrats."I think it shows progress in Nebraska that we're moving where everybody can have a place at the table and not just a place but they can have meaningful input and conversation. And I think we have to have that if we're going to grow as a state," Wayne said.Morfeld said this process solidified his belief in having a non-partisan independent commission to redraw election borders. That would take an amendment to the state constitution.Linehan said that would only add an unnecessary step because lawmakers would eventually have to vote on any plan in the end."Doesn't do anything but waste time and probably money," Linehan said.Previous story:After days of late night and early morning discussions, Nebraska lawmakers found a path forward Friday and advanced a plan to redraw the state's three congressional districts. The new map keeps all of Douglas County in District 2 and adds all of Saunders County plus southern and western Sarpy County, including Gretna.Bellevue would remain in district one, along with the counties of Butler, Cass, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Lancaster, Madison, Platte, northeastern Polk, Seward and Stanton.Burt, Otoe, Thurston and Washington counties would move to District 3 along with all the remaining counties in Nebraska.LB 1 advanced on a vote of 36-10. Voting No: Sens. Eliot Bostar, John Cavanaugh, Machaela Cavanaugh, Megan Hunt, Steve Lathrop, Terrell McKinney, Adam Morfeld, Patty Pansing Brooks, Tony Vargas and Justin Wayne. The bill needs two more votes to pass.Wayne said he would continue to press for changes during the next round of debate on the bill.Initially, the redistricting plan put forward by Republicans divided Douglas County, putting areas west of Interstate 680 into district one. Lawmakers also advanced the plan to redraw Nebraska's state legislative districts. The legislature will reconvene on Tuesday for the second round of debate.