Assembly puts reapportionment on ballot

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly has approved putting before voters new Assembly district boundaries to reflect shifts in population. Voters also will be asked to vote on the composition of representation by seven members and the form of representation by districts.

After each federal census and adoption of a state redistricting plan, the Assembly is required to propose to voters a plan of apportionment for assembly districts.

The 2010 Census reflects how the Mat-Su has grown 50 percent in the last decade, according to a Borough news release that noted that parts of the Borough have grown faster than others. Among the fastest growing areas is Knik Fairview, which grew by more than 100 percent. Its 2010 population of 14,923 is greater than the Borough’s two largest cities, Palmer and Wasilla, combined. The eastern side of the Mat-Su grew, too, with the Butte gaining 685 new residents and Sutton 367.

The proposed new boundaries for the seven Assembly districts is not a drastic change, according to Borough Clerk Lonnie McKechnie. District 1 basically needed to grow and move south to gain population and that nudged District 2 a little west, McKechnie said. On the other side of the Mat-Su, the growth in the Knik area required the boundaries of district five to shrink. As a result, District 3 stretched west into District 5 and 4, she said. District 6 shrank some, and District 7 stayed relatively the same.

McKechnie worked on the proposed new districts for the Assembly with project coordinator Pam Graham and GIS Supervisor Susan Howard. The proposed new districts will be on the ballot in the Oct. 4 election.

At more than 25,000 square miles the Borough encompasses tremendous geography and is nearly the size of Scotland.