(SitNews) - Yesterday the Alaska Redistricting Board released "A Voting Rights Act Analysis of the Proposed Alaska State Legislative Plans: Measuring the Degree of Racial Bloc Voting and Determining the Effectiveness of Proposed Minority Districts," by Voting Rights Act expert Dr. Lisa Handley. 

Dr. Handley was hired in April 2011 to provide guidance to the Board in meeting the standards established by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  Her report includes an analysis of voting patterns by race in recent Alaska elections and a detailed explanation of her determination that "the Alaska state legislative plans passed by the Alaska Redistricting Board are not retrogressive and therefore do not violate Section 5 of the Act."

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act requires that certain states - including Alaska - submit changes to their electoral processes and redistricting plans for preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that the proposed change is free from discriminatory purpose and will not result in retrogression in the position of racial minorities with respect to their exercise of the electoral franchise.

The report will play an important role in the Board's submission to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. 

On the Web:

"A Voting Rights Act Analysis of the Proposed Alaska State Legislative Plans: Measuring the Degree of Racial Bloc Voting and Determining the Effectiveness of Proposed Minority Districts"

An electronic copy is available download:
http://www.akredistricting.org/Files/Final-Report-of-Dr-Lisa-Handley.pdf

Source of News: 

Alaska Redistricting Board
www.akredistricting.org

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