Opinion ID: 1239200
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: creating single-member districts from multi-member districts

Text: The Alaska Constitution specifically authorizes the Governor to redistrict by changing the size and area of election districts ... [45] subject to certain restrictions set forth in the constitution. It is thus clear that the Governor is authorized to redistrict by changing boundaries and areas. The creation of single-member districts from multi-member districts would appear to be a concomitant power under the authorization to redistrict. Furthermore, this authority is inherent in the general power to reapportion the legislature. Redistricting is inseparable from reapportionment and the Governor should be able to authorize any constitutional device to accomplish the task. The Oregon Supreme Court in its recent review of that state's reapportionment set forth the applicable principles as follows: Apportionment is accomplished by changing legislative district lines and an integral part of apportionment is making a choice between fixing legislative district lines along a single-member district plan or a multi-member district plan. This is a decision that the legislature would have had to make if it had done the reapportioning. It must be made by the Secretary of State or whatever body makes the apportionment. [46] Where the method or motive of districting rather than the mathematical precision of the apportionment is being challenged, the Supreme Court of the United States has consistently required that the challenger bear the burden of proving unconstitutionality. [47] The plaintiffs below failed to meet this burden of proof and we hold that the creation of single-member districts from multi-member districts was within the powers available to the Governor.