AK Redistricting Board Meets And Approves Option 2 Map For 2022 Election As Ordered By Court

 Given this process has been going on since Fall 2020, a lot happened today.  Following Sunday's Board meeting, the Alaska Supreme Court today took off the stay on Judge Matthews' order for the mapping to be remanded to the Board for them to adopt Option 2 maps for the 2022 Election.  

The stay was NOT lifted for the other remand - to adopt a final plan for the rest of the decade.

The Board met.  The attorney explained his understanding of the ruling.  The removal of the stay of the first remand was clear.  The second part was not as clear in terms of the Court's instructions to the Board.  Attorney Matt Singer said that it was a dispositional decision, meaning a fuller explanation would come out in a future order.  

The Board then voted 5-0 to adopt Option 2 as the interim proclamation plan for the 2022 election.  This was the map proposed by the East Anchorage plaintiffs that joined the two Eagle River districts into one Senate seat and combined the JBER/Government Hill district with the downtown district.  

In response to member Bahnke's comment that the Court could instruct the Board to do something else later, attorney Singer said, or they could make this the permanent proclamation plan.  That the Court would probably make its wishes clearer in the future.  

But, in the meantime, the 2022 election map has now been squared away and there's a little breathing room before determining exactly how the permanent map will be decided.  

Finally, Board members had a chance to make comments.  Most thanked others.  Bethany Marcum apologized to the military whose rights, she felt were violated by joining them with downtown.  She called it a travesty.  [Last November I wrote about how the military are hardly unrepresented in our state legislature and are probably the most favored group of people in the State.]  I do believe that member Marcum has convinced herself of the injustice here, but she's just flat out wrong.  

The Board now awaits further word from the Alaska Supreme Court on their next move.  

The map they approved of is in the previous post.  

My Rough Notes of the Meeting

ARB Meeting May 24, 2022  3pm

3pm call to order

Roll call:  Bahnke - here  Borromeo - here   Marcum here  Simpson here  Binkley  -  all hear

Adoption of draft agenda.  Short. 

Melanie:  Hope Matt will explain what the court order is.  

Simpson:  don’t need an amendment, comes under item #3.  

Approved 

Item 3 is adopt 

Singer:   Court issued a ‘dispostional order’  court’s reasoning will follow later in a written opinion.  Affirmed the lower courts ruling Senate District L, required to adopt Senate pairing in Option 2 for 2020 State Elections

Court held also that Matthews order to later comeback and adopt a final plan remains stayed.  I think Bahnke - we have to guess a bit to know what the SC meant.  When the Court issues a full opinion that will explain our next steps.

Board’s task is narrow and doesn’t leave any room but do what was directed:  Adopt Option 2 for 2022 election.

That’s my report.  Thank you.

Binkley:  Questions?  Melanie, does that satisfy your questions.  

Bahnke:  They could tell us to do something further.

Singer??:  Or they could say this will be the final proclamation.  It would nice if the court added another sentence telling us what they intend.  Probably they intend to provide more guidance in the future.  

But now Peter and I recommend making it clear this is for the 2022 Election and will remain in place until we do anything else.  But we really have to wait for further guidance from the court.

Peter Torkelson:  The public notice has been updated with draft version of the language and map.  

Bahnke:  Move to adopt amended proclamation plan as ordered by the Supreme Court

Simpson:  “interim” should be part of it

Bahnke:  No objection

Seconded by Borromeo.  Discussion?

Bahnke:  grateful we finally have clear guidance from the SC and so speak in support of the motion.

Simpson:  Out of respect for the authority of the court I intend to support the motion.  

Binkley:  Peter roll call

Bahnke:  yes  Borromeo  yes.  Marcum yes  Simpson  yes  Binkley  yes

5-0 motion carries

Board member comments:

Bahnke:  Thank all the public who have participated in this process.  The litigant that insisted the Senate pairings are unconstitutional. And the people who have reported on this process as well.  And to Justice Matthews and the Supreme Court thank them for making sure justice prevails.

Marcum:  I would like say on behalf of our military.  Implications for military will be major.  Dominated by downtown voters.  JBER voice will be lost.  Ironic that those who have sacrificed the most

Borromeo:  I want to extend appreciation to fellow Board members, we haven’t agreed all the time, but I appreciate that each of you have given your time and made personal sacrifices.  And thank you to staff who are the best of Alaska.  Three branches of government are important and remain independent and along with the four of you to finish this process.

Binkley:  Also want to extend my gratitutde.  Especially the SC who worked expeditiously so election can go forward on time without interruption.  Whether we meet again to discuss maps or just wrap things up.  

Move to adjourn Nicole

Simpson second

Bahnke:  If we have another meeting can we notice that allows public testimony

Thank you.  Further discussion on motion?  

3:20pm