Redistricting Board Press Release Cutting Time To Appeal Remand Decision

 Don't feel bad if you're wondering what exactly is going on with the Redistricting Board's latest plan.  I've been following it closely and I'm scratching my head about it too.  

I'm working on a tea leaf reading post, but in the meantime, here's a press release that came out yesterday and a link to the judge's order.

Press Release

Alaska Court System, 820 W. 4^th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

 

Contact: Rebecca Koford, Public Information Officer, rkoford@akcourts.gov

 

Deadline for Challenges to Amended Alaska Redistricting Board Plan Due by May 3, 2022

Anchorage, AK:  On April 27, 2022, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews issued an order establishing expedited deadlines for any qualified voter to file a new challenge to the Redistricting Board’s Amended Proclamation Plan that has not yet been filed. Any complaint or other applications to compel the Redistricting Board to correct any error in redistricting must be made by May 3, 2022.

 

The court has expedited the process and shortened deadlines to allow sufficient time for the Superior Court to hear and decide the merits of any challenge to the Amended Plan, and the Supreme Court if there is an appeal. The expedited process and accelerated deadline for any further challenges to the Amended Plan is necessary because of the June 1, 2022 deadline for legislative candidates to file for the 2022 elections.

 

The expedited process and shortened deadlines provide a reasonable but expeditious period of time for a voter to file a challenge. A copy of the order is attached to this press release. Copies of all filings and orders can be found on the Most Requested Cases page. Hearings in the case can be livestreamed on the Trial Court Video Hearings page on Judge Thomas Matthews’ channel.

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Below was a link to the Judge's order.

I hope that satisfies your curiosity for the time being while I scanning the tea leaves.

I'd also note, that when the Supreme Court ruled on the Redistricting case on March 25, 2022, it only issued a brief decision on each of the cases.  There was no detailed explanation of the Court's thinking.  Without that explanation, it's hard to know what the Supreme Court might do when this new plan gets to them.  That explanation, I hope, will address some unanswered questions that were raised - such as whether ANCSA,boundaries can be considered in drawing maps  and what their thinking is about determining political gerrymandering claims.  I expect that longer explanation will come eventually.

[I have to say, the Alaska Court System's website has lots of information, but it's also like a complicated maze with lots of dead ends.  I had just downloaded the Supreme Court's decision and went back to get the link to put in here and had to spend ten minutes finding the right path back to the link.  You'd think it was in the Motions and Orders page, (It is titled "Disposition Order") but it's not.  It's on the Docket page.  I'm sure it makes sense to the lawyers, but not to me.]