I've been working on a post about maps - not analyzing the maps, but giving readers a sense of the lay of the land. It's almost ready and I'll post it tomorrow (looking at the time, I should say later today.)
Meanwhile I just pulled up the message from the Board - you can all subscribe to these updates - which is relevant to the post I'm working on, so I'll just copy it here.
Hello subscribers,
Thanks for staying involved in the redistricting process! The board has learned a lot from the first week of public hearings and received a few suggestions on how to make the process better. Apologies in advance for the long email – I wanted to clarify a few things, answer a few recurring questions, and give out some more detailed information about the meeting format. I’ve also attached a draft schedule for the rest of the month. As the tentative meetings are confirmed, I will be sending out the notice and a revised schedule. It will also be posted on our meeting information site here: Alaska Redistricting Board - Minutes & Audio (akredistrict.org) (you may have to refresh your browser to get the latest version).
Open House: We have received a lot of feedback on the Open House format and I wanted to give a quick explanation. The board adopted six proposals for public input – these proposals have 40 districts each in addition to the six regional/statewide maps which equates to 276 maps to review. There has been a lot of confusion about what is in which map for which proposal and the Open House format allows attendees to view large format printed maps, spend more time comparing the maps they are interested in, have staff assistance viewing the interactive maps on the website, and ask detailed questions of the board members who are there. This format has been very informative to attendees and the Board plans to keep it available in addition to receiving in-person testimony.
Written testimony: Since only a few board members will be at each public hearing, written testimony is encouraged as it allows all testimony to be distributed quickly to all board members. Board members have also found that referring to written testimony is especially helpful when going back to the map drawing board. You can submit testimony via our web portal at Alaska Redistricting Board - Map Comment (akredistrict.org) or send email to: testimony@akredistrict.org.
In-person testimony: The Board will include an opportunity for “town hall” style in-person testimony at each meeting. The timing will be determined at the meeting based on attendee preference. In-person testimony will be recorded, transcribed, and sent to board members as soon as the transcriptions are complete.
Masks: Masking is required at all community public hearings. Our board members and staff are traveling to many locations in the upcoming days and will require that you take this precaution to protect us and members of the communities we are visiting.
Call-in testimony: In order to provide an opportunity for all board members to be present to hear call-in testimony, the board is planning to have two statewide call-in dates – these have been scheduled for October 20 and October 30. To reduce waiting, there will be dedicated times for each region of the state, which I will send out as soon as they are finalized. However, if you can’t make your designated time, you will be able to call in at any point of the day – callers from those communities will be prioritized for that time slot but the plan is to allow all callers to have an opportunity to address the board.
More information will be forthcoming as soon as it’s available.
Juli Lucky (she/her)
Staff, Alaska Redistricting Board
(907) 251-9295 cell
Upcoming Board Meetings and Important Dates:
October 4, 2021: Anchorage Public Hearing: 4:30pm-6:30pm: Dena’ina Center http://notice.alaska.gov/203893
October 5, 2021: Kotzebue Public Hearing: 3:00pm-5:00pm: Nullagvik Hotel http://notice.alaska.gov/203945
October 6, 2021: Ketchikan Public Hearing: 4:30pm-6:30pm: Ted Ferry Civic Center http://notice.alaska.gov/203923
October 7, 2021: Petersburg Public Hearing: 12:30pm - 2:00pm: Petersburg Assembly Chambers: http://notice.alaska.gov/203924
October 7, 2021: Wrangell Public Hearing: 4:30pm-6:30pm: The Nolan Center: http://notice.alaska.gov/203925
NOTE: the community public meeting schedule is still being developed – meetings will be added to this list as soon as they are confirmed.
November 10, 2021: Day 90: Adoption of Final Redistricting Plan
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