Normal
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.
