Alaska Redistricting Board Appeals Decision to Re-Draw Two House Districts

Board fears the change could hurt the voting strength of Alaska Natives

Tools

By KTVA CBS 11 News
Bio

Story Created: Feb 7, 2012 at 10:23 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2012 at 10:26 PM AKDT

The state's redistricting board voted unanimously Tuesday to appeal a judge's decision to re-draw two house districts that the judge said are not in line with the state’s constitution.

The redistricting board agreed that two other districts that were also challenged could easily be redrawn.

The appeal is for District 37, which splits the Aleutian Chain, and District 38, which stretches from Fairbanks to the Bering Sea.

The board said change to the new districts could hurt the voting strength of Alaska Natives.

“We are very concerned that what the judge is asking us to do, is to erase all the hard work the board has done and adopt a plan that significantly diminishes Alaska Native voting strength statewide, so that's a real concern for the board,” said State Redistricting Board Director Taylor Bickford.

The next stop is the Alaska Supreme Court.

The board plans to make oral arguments next month, with the decision expected fairly soon.

Under law the new districts must be finalized by June 1.

 

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.