The frontiersman., 1958-07-31
EaY Patricia Oakes


 With the privilege and right of statehood loom ing before Alaska m the immediate future AlaS- kans must take increasing interest in the govern mental aspects of ther future to shoulder the re- responsibilities which go with statehood
 A study Of Alaskas future government is an immediate must for Alaskans. The citizen Who refuses to take upon himself this responsibility certainly has no privilege to complain about the turn of events in the future
 To help Alaskans better understand the changes in government which will come with statehood, this six-article series is being written Although all aspects Of the new government under me Gon- stitution of the State of Alaska cannot be covered in SiX articles many of the important phases Wlll be explained.
 Transitional measures and the elections which will soon be upon Alaska will be discussed n thls first article Later articles will include the eAeG- utve branch the legislature, the judiciary branch and other phases of government local govern ments, and summary Of the work faclng tne coming legislature,
 Transitional Government
 Many people have the impression that transition from territorial tO state government Wll be chaotic There is no reason to expect chaos, hoW- ever, aS the Constitution provides amply for the transition period. Territorial laws WILL remaIn Id force until they expire hy heif own limitations, are amended, pr repealed lt lS entirely possible that 1t will be flve-ten years before all laws are rewritten in form for the state government H0w ever during that time, the branches of govern will continue 10 run under the present set-up. In all probability, the first Legislature will mt attempt to re-Write all existing laws but will allow the legislative council time to re-codify and re-Wre tho laws n studied and efficient man. ner-
 First Legislature
 Since there iS time limit on the first lGBIs- lature, which must be called within 30 days after the presidential proclamation that Alaska ls otfl- cially state of the Union unless regular Ses- sion IS scheduled within that time, the gathering will have time to Set up such important new de- partments as the judicial department before turn ing their task t0 legal recodlficatlon
 Sixty Members
 The first state legislature will be composed of 10 representatives and 20 senators The first elect ton will be held under the rules provided in the Constitution and applicable territorial laws Thus, the election districts of the Stale of Alaska will be used
 Election Districts
 For election purposes Alaska is divided into three types 0f districts The first type IS the re- presentatiye district. 24 in number from which to eight representatives will be elected accord ing to population
 The representative districts are coupled to form l2 senatorial districts, with one senator elected from each
 The final type of election district is the large district from which two senators -at-large are elected. There are four of these districts. North western. Central, South Central and Southeastern. These appear roughly 10 coincide with the pres- ent judicial divisions. Actually. they are composed of combined representative districts
 Overall Representation
 There arc advantages in the new system of the election districts. Areas which never before had representation will, because of tho geographical nature of the districts send men and women to legislature. Population centers will not have the grasping vote control they have had under terrl- torlal status, allowing all of Alaska to ba repre- sened Various economic interests professions and areas will have voice in the government.