Alaska officials would review voter records and offer ballot tracking

The Division of Elections would review voter records and update the voter list under regulations. The division would review voter eligibility, out-of-state activity, possible data breaches, and whether the voter list exceeds the number of eligible voters. The reviews would cover deceased voters, people convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, people not qualified to vote, and other listed matters. The division would use available records from other states and listed state and federal sources to the extent possible. Outside recipients could receive confidential information only if it is encrypted and they agree to use it only for the review, not retain it, and not pass it on. The division would audit the voter list each year and publish a report by April 1.

The Division of Elections would provide an online system for tracking ballots and correcting certain ballot problems. These procedures apply to ballots with no stored signature, a missing certificate signature, or a signature found not to match the voter registration record. The system would let voters check whether their ballot was sent, delivered, received, and counted, and learn why it was not counted. The system would use multiple steps to verify a voter's identity and could not charge a fee. A ballot with a missing or mismatched signature could count only if the voter returns the form within 14 days after election day, provides a signature and accepted identification, and the ballot is otherwise valid. An official could not reject a signature only because the voter used initials or a common nickname. For the listed signature problems, the director would notify the voter within 48 hours and no later than two days after election day.

Election officials would send address notices to certain voters, publish election-count information, and work with rural communities on voting access and precinct staffing. The provisions cover address confirmation notices, daily unofficial election results, and voting access and staffing in rural areas. The division would send notices to voters meeting listed criteria, including some voters with recent out-of-state activity; it may omit one notice when it reasonably determines the voter is away for a legally permitted reason. A rural community liaison would work with tribes and municipalities to support absentee voting and, where available, early voting, and ensure rural precincts are adequately staffed. The director would examine the voter list at least once each January and give notified voters 45 days to respond. Daily count information would be posted on the days specified in the bill.

The director would design general election ballots so voters rank candidates in order of preference. The ranked-choice design applies to general election ballots. Voters could rank as many candidates as they wish but could not give the same rank to more than one candidate for the same office.

The director would require voters to show an accepted form of identification before voting. The requirement applies to each voter before they are allowed to vote. Accepted forms listed include a voter registration card, driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or tribal identification card. The listed forms do not include hunting or fishing licenses.