(a) A reapportionment ordinance approved by the voters, or a decision of the assembly that the standards of AS 29.20.060 do not require a change in apportionment, may be appealed to the commissioner. Fifty voters may submit a petition to the commissioner requesting the commissioner to determine whether the proposed reapportionment ordinance approved by the voters meets the standards of AS 29.20.060 or whether a decision of the assembly that the standards of AS 29.20.060 do not require a change of apportionment is correct. If the petition asks the commissioner to review an ordinance approved by the voters under AS 29.20.080(e), the petition shall be delivered to the commissioner not later than 20 days after certification of the election. If the petition asks the commissioner to review a decision of the assembly under AS 29.20.080(c), the petition shall be delivered to the commissioner within 20 days of the decision of the assembly.

(b) The commissioner shall review the petition and may make the determination requested. The commissioner shall provide copies of the determination to the persons petitioning for appeal and to borough officials not later than 60 days after the commissioner receives the petition.

(c) If the commissioner determines that the proposed reapportionment ordinance approved by the voters does not meet the standards of AS 29.20.060, or if the commissioner determines that the decision of the assembly that the standards of AS 29.20.060 do not require a change of apportionment is not correct, the commissioner shall, by order, direct the assembly to prepare a reapportionment ordinance that meets the standards of AS 29.20.060 and submit the ordinance to the voters.

(d) When the assembly has been directed by the commissioner to prepare a reapportionment ordinance under (c) of this section, the assembly shall, within two months after its receipt of the commissioner's order, adopt an ordinance providing for reapportionment. The assembly shall submit an ordinance adopted under this subsection to the voters at an election held within 60 days after the date of adoption of the reapportionment ordinance.

(e) If at the end of the time period provided under (d) of this section an ordinance providing for reapportionment has not been approved by the voters, the commissioner shall provide for the reapportionment of the assembly in accordance with the standards of AS 29.20.060 by preparing an order of reapportionment and delivering the order to the borough mayor.