Juneau -- The Senate State Affairs Committee today approved a resolution opposing the use of statistical methods in determining state legislative districts.

"I am concerned, that any redistricting in this state, based on anything but an actual head count, would be inaccurate and would create a legal nightmare," said Senator Jerry Ward, sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 8. "A random sampling technique or other statistical method of census could raise serious issues of vote dilution and violate 'one person, one vote' legal protections."

The Bureau of Census plans to use statistical sampling methods to conduct the 2000 census instead of the traditional physical head count of the population. Senator Ward says population figures based on such samplings should not be used for state legislative redistricting. "It would expose the state to protracted and costly litigation over redistricting, and ultimately results in a court ruling invalidating the redistricting plan."

SJR 8 opposes the use of sampling data in any redistricting plan. SJR 8 now goes to the Rules Committee.