Anchorage Assembly drafts timeline for redrawing political boundaries in city

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The Anchorage Assembly Reapportionment Committee has published a draft timeline for redrawing political boundaries in Anchorage, which will ultimately affect which Assembly members represent which citizens.

The voters passed a ballot measure this year adding a 12th seat on the Assembly that will represent the urban core of Anchorage, the most liberal area of town. That, plus the specific population data from the U.S. Census will require the redrawing of the boundaries.

The timeline:

Nov. 23 – Committee meeting

Nov. 23 – Assembly meeting declaration of malapportionment

Dec. 9 – Committee meeting review of initial plan, if available

Jan. 6 – Committee meeting of initial plan and prepare for town hall

Jan. 12 – Town hall meeting

Jan. 13 – Committee meeting review of town hall feedback

Jan. 20 – Committee meeting finalize plan for Assembly introduction

Jan. 21 – Agenda deadline to submit for introduction at Feb. 1 meeting of Assembly

Feb. 1 – Assembly meeting, introduction of final plan

Feb. 11 – Work session

Feb. 15 Assembly meeting, first public hearing

March 1 – Assembly meeting, second public hearing and vote on adoption

The Assembly has agreed in a committee today there will be no election for the District 12 seat this March-April because the timing is too tight. There will likely be a special election for that 12th seat later next year, but before 2023.

The next regular municipal election will be on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. The last day to file for office for the four expiring municipal Assembly seats (Perez-Verdia, Kennedy, Dunbar, Zaletel) is Jan. 28 at 5 pm. Ballots are mailed by March 15 and must be returned or postmarked by April 5. The final date to register to vote for the election is March 6.