The governor makes two appointments first, followed in turn by selections of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice. Board members may not be federal, state, or local employees, or elected or appointed officials. The five board members must include at least one person from each of the four Alaska judicial districts, plus one at-large seat. After being appointed, the Redistricting Board will choose one member as chair, and may hire temporary assistants and legal counsel as needed. The constitution says board members shall be compensated, but does not specify at what rate.
Board members serve until a final plan is adopted.
The board must adopt one or more redistricting plans within 30 days after the reporting of the census numbers, expected early next year. After holding hearings on the proposal, the board must come up with a final plan within the following 60 days. Alaska's plan must be approved by the Department of Justice under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Members of the board are prohibited from running for the Legislature in the next general election following adoption of their plan. Although commonly called the Reapportionment Board, reapportionment refers to the constitutionally mandated apportionment of congressional seats between the states following every census.