IN RE 2001 REDISTRICTING CASES v REDISTRICTING BOARD, et al.

No. 3AN-01-8914 CI

SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA

February 1, 2002, Decided

 

In accordance with Article VI of the Alaska Constitution, the Alaska Redistricting Board (the "Board") is required to reapportion Alaska 's House of Representatives and the Senate immediately following the official reporting of each decennial census of the United States .Under Article VI, Section 8 of the Alaska Constitution, the Board consists of five members, two of whom are appointed by the Governor, one of whom is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is appointed by the Senate President, and one of whom is appointed by the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court.  At least one Board member must be a resident of each of the four judicial districts.

            Article VI, Section 10 of the Alaska Constitution, requires the Board to adopt one or more proposed redistricting plans thirty days after the reporting of the decennial census.  Thereafter the Board must hold public hearings to obtain comments on the draft plan(s).  The Board then must adopt a final plan and proclamation no later than ninety days after the reporting of the census.

Under Article VI, Section 11, any qualified voter may apply to the superior court to compel the Board to correct any errors in redistricting.  Original jurisdiction in these matters is vested in the superior court.  On appeal from the superior court, this matter is reviewed by the Alaska Supreme Court de novo.   Since statehood, every single redistricting plan has been the subject of such legal challenge.

 

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