Alaska court rejects redistricting

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - The Alaska Supreme Court rejected the state&#39;s redistricting map and sent it back to the state panel that drew it to be reworked. <br> <br> The map, which was approved by the five-member Redistricting Board last June, faced nine legal challenges from individuals, the Republican Party and several cities and boroughs. <br> <br> Plaintiffs argued that the 40-district map failed to satisfy state constitutional requirements that state legislative districts be compact, of equal population and socially and economically integrated. <br> <br> Republicans also complained that the map pitted 20 GOP incumbents against each other in the 2002 election. <br> <br> The 4-1 court ruling struck down 19 House districts and ordered three others reviewed. <br> <br> ``We obviously feel we have been vindicated,&#39;&#39; plaintiffs&#39; lawyer Michael White said after the decision Thursday. <br> <br> Board lawyer Philip R. Volland was unavailable for comment. <br> <br> The Redistricting Board is appointed by the governor, who names two members, and the Senate president, House speaker and Supreme Court chief justice, who each appoint one member.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/202729