The state Re-districting Board voted to approve a new map of legislative districts over the week-end. This is a revision of last week’s plan crafted to conform to the requirements of the state Constitution, tailored to also meet the requirements of the Federal Voting Rights Act to not dilute the voting strength of Alaska Natives. The preliminary map released after the vote shows a lot of similarity to the one struck down by the state Supreme Court, in that it expands Fairbanks area districts to include large portions of geography to the west. The Board’s Executive Director Taylor Bickford, says that’s just the way it has to be to comply with federal law:
Listen for Full Story
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
