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Expiration Date 4/30/2017 

U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION 

 2016 Election Administration & Voting Survey 

Statutory Overview

 

In order to better understand state laws governing Federal elections, the U.S. Election Assistance 

Commission, as part of its biennial Election Administration and Voting Survey, is collecting 

information on state election laws and procedures. These answers will help EAC to better 

understand the quantitative data relating to the 2016 general election that we are collecting from 

all U.S. states and territories. 

EAC understands that responding to this Statutory Overview may require significant staff time on 

the part of your office. Please be assured that we have attempted to minimize the burden, and we 

appreciate your cooperation in this very important project. 

Information Supplied By 

Name

Title

Office/Agency Name

Address 1

Address 2

City

State

Zip Code

E-mail Address

Telephone (area Code and number)

Fax Number (area code and number)

Josie Bahnke Director of Elections State of Alaska, Division of Elections PO Box 110017 Juneau Alaska 99811-0017 josie.bahnke@alaska.gov 907-465-4611 907-465-3203
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DIRECTIONS AND EXAMPLE 

As appropriate, please provide your state’s legal citation for the responses to the questions beginning on the 

following page. 

Please answer each question to the best of your ability. If a term or concept is ambiguous, please explain why. If 

a question is not applicable to your state, please explain why. If a definition or term lacks statutory reference in 

your state but is widely used in practice, please explain. If election procedures vary at the local level within your 

state, please explain these variations to the best of your ability. 

The Statutory Overview data collection document has two columns below each question. 

 On the left, we have provided you with the answer your state provided for the 2014 Statutory 

Overview. If there has not been a change in your state’s laws or legal citation in the response to 

a question, please mark the box labeled No Change since 2014 at the top of the left column. 

 If the response has changed since 2014 – or your state has not answered this question previously 

for some reason— please mark the box labeled Changed since 2014 at the top of the right 

column and then provide the new answer in the text box provided. If your response is too long to 

fit in the box, please make a note in the text box and place your response in the “Notes” page at 

the end of the document. Additionally, if a law was repealed in full, please answer “repealed in 

full” in the box. 

If any of your state laws are currently enjoined or otherwise blocked from enforcement by a state or federal court 

or by executive decision, please specify. 
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Example: 

A1. How does your state define the following terms related to votes and ballots? Please provide your 

state’s legal citation defining these terms, where applicable. 

Over-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 

Under-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

a)

b)

State code 1.11 - An attempt to vote for a larger 

number of candidates than is allowed.

This term has no legal definition. State code 1.12 - An attempt to vote for a 

smaller number of candidates than is allowed.
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SECTION A: GENERAL 

A1. How does your state define the following terms related to votes and ballots? Please provide your 

state’s legal citation defining these terms, where applicable. 

a) Over-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 

b) Under-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

See Appendix A

See Appendix A
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c) Blank ballot 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

d) Void/Spoiled ballot 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

No votes recorded for any race appearing on the ballot.

Ballot that is improperly marked, damaged or otherwise 

spoiled by the voter. 

Sec.15.15.250. Disposition of spoiled ballot. 

If a voter improperly marks, damages, or otherwise spoils a 

ballot, the voter may request and the election board shall 

provide another ballot, with a maximum of three. The board 

shall record on the precinct register that there was a spoiled 

ballot and destroy the spoiled ballot immediately without 

examining it.
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e) Provisional/Challenged ballot 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

f) Absentee 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

See Appendix A

Alternative method for casting a ballot outside of the polling 

place.
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g) Early voting 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

h) Active Voter 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Period of voting 15 days prior to the election. 

Sec. 15.20.064. Early voting. 

(a) For 15 days before an election and on election day, a 

qualified voter who meets the requirements set out in this 

section may vote in locations designated by the director. 

(b) The election supervisor or other election official shall 

issue a ballot to the voter upon 

(1) exhibition of proof of identification as required in AS 

15.15.225; 

(2) verification that the voter's residence address appearing 

on the official registration list is current; and 

(3) the voter's signing the early voting register. 

(c) After the voter has marked the ballot, the voter shall place 

the ballot in the secrecy sleeve and inform the election 

supervisor or other election official. The voter shall deposit 

the ballot in the ballot box in the presence of the election 

supervisor or other election official unless the voter requests 

the election supervisor or other election official to deposit the 

ballot on the voter's behalf. The tabulation of early voting 

ballots may not begin before 8:00 p.m. prevailing time on 

election day. 

(d) The director shall designate locations for early voting by 

June 1 of an election year.

A qualified voter who meets the statutory qualifications set 

out in AS 15.05.010. 

A voter who has not been targeted for list maintenance under 

AS 15.07.130.
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i) Inactive Voter 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

j) Other terms (please specify) ________________ 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Voter that does not meet the qualifications of an active voter
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A2. Please provide the legal citation for any significant changes to election laws or procedures that have 

been enacted or adopted since the previous Federal election. “Significant” does not include routine or 

technical changes (such as changes to election district boundaries or polling place changes). However, 

EAC would like to learn about any new identification requirements for voters or registrants; changes in 

eligibility for voting or registering; adoption of alternative voting methods; and other changes that you 

believe represent a significant change in the way your state runs its elections. 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

See Appendix A 
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SECTION B: VOTER REGISTRATION 

B1. Is your state’s voter registration database system best described as a bottom-up, a top-down, or a 

hybrid? (Note: A bottom-up system generally uploads information retained at the local level and 

compiled at regular intervals to form the statewide voter registration list. A top-down system is hosted 

on a single, central platform/mainframe and is generally maintained by the state with information 

supplied by local jurisdictions. A hybrid is some combination of both systems described above.) 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

If your state uses a bottom-up or hybrid system, how often do local jurisdictions transmit registration 

information to the state list? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Alaska has a statewide mainframe based, real time database. 

The six State elections offices have direct access to the 

database through the State’s mainframe. All voter registration 

data entered into the system is done through the State 

Division of Elections.

Alaska has a statewide web-based real-time application. The seven 

State elections offices have direct access to the application. All 

voter registration data entered into the system is done through the 

State Division of Elections.

N/A – the State of Alaska is responsible for maintaining the 

master voter registration list for the state. Local jurisdictions 

do not process voter registration applications.
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B2. Please describe the process used in your state to move voters from the active list to the inactive list, 

and from the inactive list to the active list. Is a different process used for UOCAVA voters? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

B3. Please describe your state’s process for removing voters from the voter registration rolls (not merely 

moving them from active to inactive). Please include information regarding notices and confirmations. 

Are these procedures the same for UOCAVA voters? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

See Appendix A

The procedures are the same for all voters. 

AS 15.07.130(b) 

(b) If a registered voter has not, within the preceding four 

calendar years, contacted the division and has neither voted 

nor appeared to vote in a local, regional school board, 

primary, special, or general election during the last four 

calendar years and a notice sent to the voter under (a) of this 

section was returned as undeliverable, the voter shall be 

advised by a notice sent by forwardable mail to the voter's 

last known address that registration will be inactivated 

unless the voter responds to the notice no later than 45 days 

after the date of the notice sent under this section. The 

director shall maintain on the master register the name of a 

voter whose registration is inactivated. The director shall 

cancel a voter's inactive registration in accordance with the 

procedures set out in 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6 (sec. 8, National 

Voter Registration Act of 1993) after the second general 

election that occurs after the registration becomes inactive if 

the voter does not contact the division or vote or appear to 

vote.
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B4. Can your state’s voter registration database (or equivalent) share information electronically with 

your state’s driver’s license agency (for example, to match records or trace changes in address)? Can 

your voter registration database be similarly linked with databases in any other state or Federal 

agencies? Please describe these links, including any use of database matching to verify voter registration 

applications. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

B5. Please describe how your state uses National Change of Address (NCOA). What has been your 

state’s experience with NCOA? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Alaska’s voter registration database is not linked to any other 

state or federal database. The division of elections has the 

ability to query the state’s driver’s license database and 

Social Security Administration database hosted by the state’s 

driver’s license system.

Alaska links to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to allow 

for online voter registration and general voter database analysis. 

The division still has the ability to query the DMV database and 

Social Security Administration database hosted by the DMV. 

The division does not use the NCOA.
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B6. Please describe your state’s voting eligibility requirements as they relate to individuals with a felony 

conviction. (For example, are convicted felons allowed to vote while in prison or while on parole or 

probation? Are voting rights automatically restored or does the individual have to apply for a pardon, 

certificate of eligibility or other similar certificate? Does an individual whose voting rights have been 

restored have to produce documentation of his/her status when registering to vote?) 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

B7. Does your state currently use the Internet in any way to facilitate voter registration? If yes, please 

describe how your state allows voters to use the Internet in the registration process (e.g., entire 

registration completed online; completed online but then must be printed, signed, and mailed by voter, 

etc.). 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

AS 15.07.135 states that the registrations of persons 

convicted of felonies involving mortal turpitude shall be 

canceled. Restoration of their rights occurs when they 

re-register showing proof they have been unconditionally 

discharged from custody. 

Sec. 15.07.135. Cancellation of registration of convicted 

persons. 

(a) The director shall make reasonable efforts to obtain the 

names of persons convicted of a felony involving moral 

turpitude. Promptly after receipt of evidence satisfactory to 

the director that a person has been convicted of a felony 

involving moral turpitude, the director shall cancel the 

registration of the person. 

(b) Upon presenting proof that a person whose registration 

was canceled under (a) of this section has been 

unconditionally discharged from custody, the person may 

register. The director shall make reasonable efforts to verify 

the unconditional discharge of persons applying for 

registration under this subsection.

Voters are able to access the state’s voter registration. The 

form must be printed, completed, signed and mailed by the 

voter. Voters may complete a voter registration online, 

however, it must still be printed and signed. Completed 

applications may be mailed, faxed or sent via email to the 

division. The division now has an accessible voter 

registration form for voters needing to use a screen reader to 

use the internet.

Voters are able to link to the online voter registration system 

through the division's website and complete their registration 

entirely online utilizing this system. In addition, voters may still 

access the state’s voter registration form that allows them to 

complete, print, sign and either return the application by mail, fax 

or email to the division.
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SECTION C: ELECTION ADMINISTRATION 

 

C1. Please describe how all votes cast at a place other than the voter’s precinct of registration are 

tabulated (for example, please include descriptions of such votes as absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, 

votes cast at vote centers, provisional ballots, early voting locations, etc.). 

a. Are the votes counted centrally or at the precincts? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 b. If centrally tabulated, are the votes redirected to the appropriate 

 precinct for reporting in the canvass? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 c. Are the absentee, mail, etc., votes reported separately for each precinct, 

 or are they added to the in-precinct results and reported as just a single 

 number? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

All absentee, early, and questioned (provisional) ballots are 

counted in the Division of Elections regional offices.

No. All absentee, early and questioned (provisional) ballots 

are reported at the district level, not precinct level.

All absentee, early and questioned (provisional) ballots are 

reported at the district level. They are not included in the 

precinct results.
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 d. How are UOCAVA ballots counted and reported? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

C2. Does your state require a reason for voting absentee, or does your state allow no-excuse absentee 

voting? (If a reason is required, please provide the legal citation.) 

 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

C3. Does your state provide for in-person early voting? If so, how is early voting defined? When early 

voting is used, are the ballots counted at the precinct or at a central location? How are these votes 

reported? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

In the same manner as all other absentee ballots.

Sec. 15.20.010. Persons who may vote absentee. 

At any election, a qualified voter may vote an absentee ballot 

for any reason.

See Appendix A
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C4. Do any jurisdictions in your state use a vote-by-mail system to replace (and not merely supplement) 

at-the-precinct voting in any elections? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

C5. Please list each of the situations that require a provisional ballot in your state. Please provide the 

relevant legal citation for each situation. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

N/A. The State of Alaska is responsible for conducting all 

state and federal elections. AS 15.20.800 does not allow the 

Division of Elections to conduct the primary or general 

elections by mail.

See Appendix A
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C6. Does your state count provisional ballots of voters who are registered in different precincts, or are 

those ballots automatically rejected? Please describe the process used by local election officials in 

determining whether to count a provisional ballot. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

See Appendix A
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C7. Please describe your state’s laws regarding post-election audits, if any. A post-election audit refers 

to hand-counting votes on paper records and comparing those counts to the corresponding vote counts 

originally reported, as a check on the accuracy of election results, and resolving discrepancies using 

accurate hand counts of the paper records as the benchmark. 

If your state has post-election auditing, consider including in your response information such as the unit 

being audited (e.g., precincts, machines); the sampling method (e.g., fixed percentages); whether there is 

a specific trigger for the audit; the location of the random selection (e.g., state, county); and the races 

that can be audited. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

See Appendix A
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C8. Please describe any state requirements for poll worker training. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

Election worker training is mandatory. 

Sec. 15.10.107. Staff training. 

The director shall, before each primary election in 

even-numbered years, provide for a comprehensive training 

program for election officials, both the full-time members of 

the staff of the division of elections and those who are 

appointed as members of election boards under AS 15.10.120 

- 15.10.140 and other temporary election employees. The 

director shall prepare and, not later than March 1, file with 

the lieutenant governor a plan that describes the 

comprehensive training program for election officials to be 

provided to those officials during that calendar year.
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SECTION D: ELECTION DAY ACTIVITIES 

D1. Please describe your state’s process for capturing “over-vote” and “under-vote” counts. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

D2. What identification does your state require from voters in the following situations: 

a. registering to vote; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

The State’s ballot tabulation system keeps track of the 

number of over-vote and under-vote counts. Reports printed 

from the system can include these numbers.

See Appendix A
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b. casting an in-person ballot; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

c. casting a mail-in or absentee vote; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Sec. 15.15.225. Voter identification at polls. 

(a) Before being allowed to vote, each voter shall exhibit to 

an election official one form of identification, including 

(1) an official voter registration card, driver's license, state 

identification card, current and valid photo identification, 

birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license; or 

(2) an original or a copy of a current utility bill, bank 

statement, paycheck, government check, or other government 

document; an item exhibited under this paragraph must show 

the name and current address of the voter. 

(b) An election official may waive the identification 

requirement if the election official knows the identity of the 

voter. The identification requirement may not be waived for 

voters who are first-time voters who initially registered by 

mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission 

approved by the director under AS 15.07.050, and did not 

provide identification as required in AS 15.07.060. 

(c) A voter who cannot exhibit a required form of 

identification shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot.

Absentee in-person and early voters must provide updated the word "fax" to be "electronic transmission" 

identification as outlined above in AS 15.15.225. 

Voters voting absentee by-mail or electronic transmission 

shall provide at least one form of identification such as the 

voter registration number, social security number or last four 

digits of the 

social security number, date of birth, Alaska driver’s license 

or State ID number. AS 15.20.081 and 6 AAC 25.510. 

In addition, under AS 15.20.081(f): 

If the voter is a first-time voter who initially registered by 

mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission 

approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 and has not met 

the identification requirements set out in AS 15.07.060, the 

voter must provide one of the following forms of proof of 

identification: 

1) a copy of a driver’s license, state identification card, 

current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, 

passport, or hunting or fishing license; or 

2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, 

government check, or other government document; an item 

provided under this paragraph must show the name and 

current address of the voter.
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d. casting a ballot under UOCAVA; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

e. any other stage in registration or voting process in which identification is required (please 

specify). 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

The same identification as casting a mail-in ballot Update to reflect this statement: 

Same as requirements listed under answer D1c. 

None
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D3. Please describe your state’s laws regarding access to the polling place for election observers. 

Election observers are people allowed inside the polling place who are not poll workers, election 

officials or voters. If decisions on access to observers are left to local jurisdictions, please explain. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

Sec. 15.10.170. Appointment and privileges of watchers. 

The precinct party committee, where an organized precinct 

committee exists, or the party district committee where no 

organized precinct committee exists, or the state party 

chairperson where neither a precinct nor a party district 

committee exists, may appoint one or more persons as 

watchers in each precinct and counting center for any 

election. Each candidate not representing a political party 

may appoint one or more watchers for each precinct or 

counting center in the candidate's respective district or the 

state for any election. Any organization or organized group 

that sponsors or opposes an initiative, referendum or recall 

may have one or more persons as watchers at the polls and 

counting centers after first obtaining authorization from the 

director. A state party chairperson, a precinct party 

committee, a party district committee, or a candidate not 

representing a political party or organization or organized 

group may not have more than one watcher on duty at a time 

in any precinct or counting center. The watcher may be 

present at a position inside the place of voting or counting 

that affords a full view of all action of the election officials 

taken from the time the polls are opened until the ballots are 

finally counted and the results certified by the election board 

or the data processing review board. The election board or the 

data processing review board may require each watcher to 

present written proof showing appointment by the precinct 

party committee, the party district committee, the 

organization or organized group, or the candidate the watcher 

represents that is signed by the chairperson of the precinct 

party committee, the party district committee, the state party 

chairperson, the organization or organized group, or the 

candidate representing no party.
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SECTION E: OTHER 

E1. Under HAVA, Section 402, states are required to establish and maintain administrative complaint 

procedures to remedy grievances. Has your state revised its administrative complaint procedures since 

they were first implemented? If so, how? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

E2. Please add any additional comments or information about your state’s election administration 

processes that would help to inform the EAC’s interpretation of your data. 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

* The information collection associated with the Election Administration and Voting Survey is required for the EAC to meet 

its statutory requirements under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15301), the National Voter 

Registration Act (NVRA) (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-1 et seq.), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters Act 

(UOCAVA) (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1). Respondent’s obligation to reply to this information collection is mandatory as required 

under NVRA (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-1 et seq.) and UOCAVA (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1). This part of the information collection is 

being requested to help the EAC to better understand state laws governing Federal elections. Respondents include the fifty 

states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories. This information will be made publicly available on the EAC 

website (www.eac.gov). According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid 

OMB control number for this information collection is OMB Control No. 3265-0006 (expires 04/30/2017). The time required 

to complete this information collection is estimated to average 59 hours per state response. This estimate includes the time for 

reviewing the instructions, gathering information, and completing the form. Comments regarding this burden estimate should 

be sent the U.S. Election Assistance Commission – 2014 Election Administration and Voting Survey, 1335 East West 

Highway, Suite 4300, Silver Spring MD, 20910.

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

No.

In Alaska, all state and federal elections are conducted at the 

state level by the State of Alaska, Division of Elections. 

There are four election regions in the state. The Director of 

Elections supervises the voter registration and election 

administration activities throughout the state.
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NOTES – please place longer responses below 
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Appendix A – Alaska 2014 Responses

A1a. Voting for less than the number of allowed votes per race.

Sec. 15.15.360. Rules for counting ballots.

(a) The election board shall count ballots according to the following rules:

(1) A voter may mark a ballot only by filling in, making "X" marks, diagonal, horizontal, or vertical 

marks, solid marks, stars, circles, asterisks, checks, or plus signs that are clearly spaced in the oval 

opposite the name of the candidate, proposition, or question that the voter desires to designate.

(2) A failure to properly mark a ballot as to one or more candidates does not itself invalidate the entire 

ballot.

(3) If a voter marks fewer names than there are persons to be elected to the office, a vote shall be counted 

for each candidate properly marked.

(4) If a voter marks more names than there are persons to be elected to the office, the votes for candidates 

for that office may not be counted.

(5) The mark specified in (1) of this subsection shall be counted only if it is substantially inside the oval 

provided, or touching the oval so as to indicate clearly that the voter intended the particular oval to be 

designated.

(6) Improper marks on the ballot may not be counted and do not invalidate marks for candidates properly 

made.

(7) An erasure or correction invalidates only that section of the ballot in which it appears.

(8) A vote marked for the candidate for President or Vice-President of the United States is considered and 

counted as a vote for the election of the presidential electors.

(9) Write-in votes are not invalidated by writing in the name of a candidate whose name is printed on the 

ballot unless the election board determines, on the basis of other evidence, that the ballot was so marked 

for the purpose of identifying the ballot.

(10) In order to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write in the candidate's name in the space 

provided and fill in the oval opposite the candidate's name in accordance with (1) of this subsection.

(11) A vote for a write-in candidate, other than a write-in vote for governor and lieutenant governor, shall 

be counted if the oval is filled in for that candidate and if the name, as it appears on the write-in 

declaration of candidacy, of the candidate or the last name of the candidate is written in the space 

provided.

(12) If the write-in vote is for governor and lieutenant governor, the vote shall be counted if the oval is 

filled in and the names, as they appear on the write-in declaration of

candidacy, of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor or the last names of the candidates for 

governor and lieutenant governor, or the name, as it appears on the write-in

declaration of candidacy, of the candidate for governor or the last name of the candidate for governor is 

written in the space provided.

(b) The rules set out in this section are mandatory and there are no exceptions to them. A ballot may not 

be counted unless marked in compliance with these rules.
A1b. Voting for less than the number of allowed votes per race.

Sec. 15.15.360. Rules for counting ballots.

(a) The election board shall count ballots according to the following rules:

(1) A voter may mark a ballot only by filling in, making "X" marks, diagonal, horizontal, or vertical 

marks, solid marks, stars, circles, asterisks, checks, or plus signs that are clearly spaced in the oval 

opposite the name of the candidate, proposition, or question that the voter desires to designate.

(2) A failure to properly mark a ballot as to one or more candidates does not itself invalidate the entire 

ballot.

(3) If a voter marks fewer names than there are persons to be elected to the office, a vote shall be counted 

for each candidate properly marked.

(4) If a voter marks more names than there are persons to be elected to the office, the votes for candidates 

for that office may not be counted.

(5) The mark specified in (1) of this subsection shall be counted only if it is substantially inside the oval 

provided, or touching the oval so as to indicate clearly that the voter intended the particular oval to be 

designated.

(6) Improper marks on the ballot may not be counted and do not invalidate marks for candidates properly 

made.

(7) An erasure or correction invalidates only that section of the ballot in which it appears.

(8) A vote marked for the candidate for President or Vice-President of the United States is considered and 

counted as a vote for the election of the presidential electors.

(9) Write-in votes are not invalidated by writing in the name of a candidate whose name is printed on the 

ballot unless the election board determines, on the basis of other evidence, that the ballot was so marked 

for the purpose of identifying the ballot.

(10) In order to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write in the candidate's name in the space 

provided and fill in the oval opposite the candidate's name in accordance with (1) of this subsection.

(11) A vote for a write-in candidate, other than a write-in vote for governor and lieutenant governor, shall 

be counted if the oval is filled in for that candidate and if the name, as it appears on the write-in 

declaration of candidacy, of the candidate or the last name of the candidate is written in the space 

provided.

(12) If the write-in vote is for governor and lieutenant governor, the vote shall be counted if the oval is 

filled in and the names, as they appear on the write-in declaration of

candidacy, of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor or the last names of the candidates for 

governor and lieutenant governor, or the name, as it appears on the write-in

declaration of candidacy, of the candidate for governor or the last name of the candidate for governor is 

written in the space provided.

(b) The rules set out in this section are mandatory and there are no exceptions to them. A ballot may not 

be counted unless marked in compliance with these rules.

(c) [Repealed, Sec. 24 ch 113 SLA 2003].
A1e. Method of voting for a voter if: 1.) voter’s name does not appear on register; 2.) voter does not have 

proper identification; 3.) voter’s residence address has changed; 4.) voter’s qualifications are questioned.

Sec. 15.15.198. Voters not on official registration list.

(a) If a voter's name does not appear on the official registration list in the precinct in which the voter 

seeks to vote, the election official shall affirmatively advise the voter that the voter may cast a questioned 

ballot, and the voter shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot. At the time the voter casts a questioned 

ballot, the voter shall be given written information stating that the voter will be able to ascertain whether 

the ballot was counted and, if not counted, the reason the ballot was not counted.

(b) A person whose registration is inactive under AS 15.07.130(b) and who votes a questioned or absentee 

ballot shall have the ballot counted if

(1) the person was registered to vote in the last four calendar years;

(2) the person signs a statement to that effect; and

(3) the earlier registration is verified by the director

Sec. 15.15.210. Questioning of voters of suspect qualification.

Every election official shall question, and every watcher and any other person qualified to vote in the 

precinct may question, a person attempting to vote if the questioner has good reason to suspect that the 

questioned person is not qualified under AS 15.05. All questions regarding a person's qualifications to 

vote shall be made in writing setting out the reason the person has been questioned. A questioned person 

shall, before voting, subscribe to a declaration in a form provided by the director attesting to the fact that 

in each particular the person meets all the qualifications of a voter, is not disqualified, and has not voted 

at the same election, and certifying that the person understands that a false statement on the declaration 

may subject the person to prosecution for a misdemeanor under this title or AS 11. After the questioned 

person has executed the declaration, the person may vote. If the questioned person refuses to execute the 

declaration, the person may not vote. Sec. 15.15.225. Voter identification at polls.

(a) Before being allowed to vote, each voter shall exhibit to an election official one form of identification, 

including

(1) an official voter registration card, driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo 

identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license; or

(2) an original or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other 

government document; an item exhibited under this paragraph must show the name and current address of 

the voter.

(b) An election official may waive the identification requirement if the election official knows the identity 

of the voter. The identification requirement may not be waived for voters who are first-time voters who 

initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under 

AS 15.07.050, and did not provide identification as required in AS 15.07.060.

(c) A voter who cannot exhibit a required form of identification shall be allowed to vote a questioned 

ballot.

A2. See http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/28/Bills/HB0104Z.PDF

Section 1 – specifies that the division may conduct elections for advisory school boards in regional 

educational attendance areas and regulations may be adopted to implement this process.
Section 2 – allows a child turning 18 who resides outside the U.S. to register and vote absentee if their 

parent or guardian was domiciled in Alaska immediately before leaving the U.S. This section is aimed at 

voters who turn 18 while living abroad with their parents or guardians.

Section 3 – amends AS 15.10.170 to require poll watchers to be United States citizens.

Section 4 – amends AS 15.10.170 to allow candidates to appoint poll watchers.

Section 5 – amends AS 15.10.180 to require that state review board members be United States citizens.

Section 6- amends APOC statutes to include no-party candidates.

Sections 7 - 9 – amends APOC statutes related to identification requirements for communications paid for 

by a political party.

Section 10 – amends APOC statutes to require that no-party candidates file campaign related reports prior 

to the primary election.

Section 11 – amends AS 15.13.374(f) to provide that, upon request, the name of a person requesting an 

advisory opinion from the APOC is confidential and must be redacted from both the request and the 

opinion before the opinion is made public.

Section 12 – allows the division to designate municipal clerks to serve as absentee voting officials in 

municipalities where the division does not have an absentee voting station.

Section 13 – clarifies that ballots are sent to voters as soon as they are available for distribution with the 

exception of uniformed services and overseas voters whose ballots must be sent 45 days prior to the 

election.

Section 14 – changes the receipt date for ballots postmarked from overseas to 10 days for the primary and 

special elections and 15 days for the general, special runoff or other special elections.

Section 15 – adds harmonizing language from federal law that ballots for uniformed services and overseas 

voters will be sent 45 days prior to an election. Also adds that voters living, working, traveling outside the 

U.S. at election time or those living in remote areas of the state will have a ballot mailed 45 days prior to 

an election.

Section 16 – amends current law related to mailing of partial count and reject letters to include absentee 

ballots from a special election under AS 15.40.140 or special runoff election.

Section 17 – amends current law related to free access for absentee voters to check the status of their 

ballot to include absentee ballots from a special election under 15.40.140 or special runoff election.

Section 18 – amends current law related to mailing of partial count and reject letters to include questioned 

ballots from a special election under AS 15.40.140 or special runoff election.

Section 19 - amends current law related to free access for absentee voters to check the status of their 

ballot to include questioned ballots from a special election under 15.40.140 or special runoff election.

Section 20 - amends current law related to mailing of partial count and reject letters to include questioned 

ballots from a special election under AS 15.40.140 or special runoff election. 

Section 21 - amends current law related to free access for absentee voters to check the status of their 

ballot to include questioned ballots from a special election under 15.40.140 or special runoff election.

Section 22 – changes the date of the primary election to the third Tuesday in August (currently is the 

fourth Tuesday in August).

Section 23 – changes the withdrawal date for primary election candidates to 52 days prior to the primary 

election (currently is 48 days).
Sections 24 and 25 – change the date to replace unopposed incumbent candidates to 54 days prior to the 

primary election (currently is 50 days) and filling of vacancy by party petition to 52 days prior to the 

primary election (currently is 48 days).

Sections 26 and 27 – change the date to replace a candidate nominated at the primary election to 64 days 

before the general election (currently is 48 days).

Section 28 – changes the withdrawal date for a candidate appearing on the general election ballot to 64 

days prior to the general election (currently is 48 days).

Section 29 – changes the withdrawal date for judicial candidates to 64 days prior to the general election 

(currently is 48 days).

Section 30 – amends AS 15.40.140 to require a special election under a new statute (AS 15.40.142) for a 

vacancy in the office of US Senator or US Representative.

Section 31 – enacts two new provisions regarding special elections and special runoff elections. The first 

provision provides for a special runoff election if no candidate in a special election receives over 50 

percent of the votes cast in the special election to fill a vacancy in the office of US Senator or US 

Representative. The two candidates receiving the most votes would appear on a special runoff election 

ballot. The second provision establishes the timing of special elections and special runoff elections. 

Specifically, the special election for a vacancy in the office of US Senator or US Representative shall be 

held not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days after the date the vacancy occurs. A special runoff 

election shall be held on the first Tuesday

that is not a state holiday occurring not less than 60 days after the special election. If the vacancy occurs 

in an election year in which the candidate for the vacant office is not regularly elected and the vacancy 

occurs on a date not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days before the date of the primary election, the 

special election will be held on the date of the primary election with any subsequent special runoff 

election being held on the date of the general election.

If the vacancy occurs in an election year in which the candidate for the vacant office is not regularly 

elected and the vacancy occurs on a date not less than 60 days nor

more than 90 days before the date of the general election, the special election will be held on the date of 

the general election with any subsequent special runoff election being held on the first Tuesday that is not 

a state holiday occurring not less than 60 days after the special and general election.

Section 32 – amends AS 15.40.160 to provide for the governor’s proclamation of a special election and 

special runoff election.

Section 33 – amends AS 15.40.165 to add a special runoff election as an election in which a US Senator 

may be elected to fill an unexpired term.

Section 34 – amends AS 15.40.170 to add a special runoff election as an election in which a US 

Representative may be elected to fill an unexpired term.

Section 35 – amends AS 15.40.220 to add a special runoff election under the general provisions 

governing the conduct of a special election and appears to allow for a write-in candidate in a special 

election for US Senator or US Representative.

Sections 36 and 37– amend current law to include special runoff elections as an election type in which 

ballot measures could appear.

Sections 38 and 39 – amend current law to include special runoff elections as a type of election for which 

a primary voter pamphlet would be produced if there was a

ballot measure on the special runoff election. 
Section 40 – adds a new subsection amending AS 15.58.030 to require the lieutenant governor to publish 

an electronic election pamphlet on the division’s internet

website before each state election. Photograph and statement are provided and paid for by candidate and 

the information must be published at least 15 days before an election at which the candidate will appear 

on the ballot.

Section 41 – amends definition of federal election to include a special runoff election.

Section 42 – adds federal definitions of absentee uniformed services voters and overseas voters and 

defines special runoff elections.

Section 43 – allows municipal clerks to serve as absentee voting officials in municipalities where the 

division does not have an absentee voting station (harmonizing change to Title 29).

Section 44 –repeals the allowance of an absentee application from a uniformed services or overseas voter 

to be extended for two general elections (harmonize with federal law); repeals the requirement to send 

special absentee ballots.

Section 45 – provides for an effective of January 1, 2014.

B2. The process is the same for all voters. AS 15.07.130 is the statute that outlines the list maintenance 

process for the State of Alaska.

Sec. 15.07.130. Voter registration list maintenance.

(a) Periodically, at times of the director's choosing, but no less frequently than in January of each calendar 

year, the director shall examine the master register maintained under AS 15.07.120 and shall send, by 

nonforwardable mail to the voter's registration mailing address, a notice requesting address confirmation 

or correction to each voter

(1) whose mail from the division has been returned to the division in the two years immediately preceding 

the examination of the register;

(2) who has not contacted the division in the two years immediately preceding the examination of the 

register; or

(3) who has not voted or appeared to vote in the two general elections immediately preceding the 

examination of the register.

(b) If a registered voter has not, within the preceding four calendar years, contacted the division and has 

neither voted nor appeared to vote in a local, regional school board, primary, special, or general election 

during the last four calendar years and a notice sent to the voter under (a) of this section was returned as 

undeliverable, the voter shall be advised by a notice sent by forwardable mail to the voter's last known 

address that registration will be inactivated

unless the voter responds to the notice no later than 45 days after the date of the notice sent under this 

section. The director shall maintain on the master register the name of a voter whose registration is 

inactivated. The director shall cancel a voter's inactive registration in accordance with the procedures set 

out in 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6 (sec. 8, National Voter Registration Act of 1993) after the second general 

election that occurs after the registration becomes inactive if the voter does not contact the division or 

vote or appear to vote.

(c) The director shall obtain from the bureau of vital statistics a certified list of all residents over 18 years 

of age who have died or who have been presumptively declared dead. Promptly after receipt of each list, 

but, in any event, at least once each month, the director shall cancel the registration of all deceased voters.
(d) The notice sent under (b) of this section must include a postage prepaid and preaddressed return card 

on which the voter may state the voter's current address. The notice must indicate

(1) that the voter should return the card not later than 45 days after the date of the notice if the voter did 

not change residence;

(2) that failure to return the card by the 45-day deadline could result in removal of the voter's name from 

the official registration list for a subsequent election;

(3) that the voter's registration will be cancelled if the voter does not contact the division during, or vote 

or appear to vote in an election held during, the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on 

the day after the last day of the fourth calendar year that occurs after the date of notice; and

(4) how the voter can continue to be eligible to vote if the voter has changed residence.

(e) For purposes of (b) and (d) of this section, a voter "appears to vote" if

(1) the voter is present at a polling place or at an absentee voting station at a time when the polling place 

or absentee voting station is operating, for the purpose of casting a vote;

(2) the voter applies to the division to obtain an absentee ballot; or

(3) in an election conducted by mail under AS 15.20.800 , a voter who has not received a ballot by mail 

makes a timely request to the division for a ballot.

(f) For the purpose of this section, a voter "contacts" the division if the voter notifies the division of a 

change of address, responds to a notice sent under this section, signs a petition for a ballot measure, 

requests a new voter registration card, or otherwise communicates with the division other than to vote or 

register to vote. If a voter is inactivated under the list maintenance process, the voter may still vote and 

have

his/her ballot count for up to four years. See statute reference below.

Sec. 15.15.198. Voters not on official registration list.

(a) If a voter's name does not appear on the official registration list in the precinct in which the voter 

seeks to vote, the election official shall affirmatively advise the voter that the voter may cast a questioned 

ballot, and the voter shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot. At the time the voter casts a questioned 

ballot, the voter shall be given written information stating that the voter will be able to ascertain whether 

the ballot was counted and, if not counted, the reason the ballot was not counted.

C3. Yes. Early voting and absentee in person voting begins 15 days prior to each election. Early voted 

ballots are counted at the regional election offices and reported by district in the early voting category. 

Absentee in person ballots are counted at the regional election offices and reported by district in the 

absentee voting category. 

Sec. 15.20.061. Absentee voting in person.

(a) A qualified voter may apply in person for an absentee ballot to the following election officials at the 

times specified:

(1) to an absentee voting official on or after the 15th day before an election up to and including the date of 

the election;

(2) to an election supervisor on or after the 15th day before an election up to and including the date of the 

election;
(3) to an absentee voting official at an absentee voting station designated under AS 15.20.045 (b) on or 

after the 15th day before an election up to and including the date of the election;

(4) to an absentee voting official in the precinct in which no volunteers can be located to serve on the 

election board on or after the 15th day before an election up to and including election day.

(b) On receipt of an application in person for an absentee ballot and exhibition of proof of identification 

as required in AS 15.15.225, the absentee voting official or election supervisor shall issue the ballot to the 

applicant.

(c) On receipt of an absentee ballot in person, the voter shall proceed to mark the ballot in secret, to place 

the ballot in the secrecy sleeve, to place the secrecy sleeve in the envelope provided, and to sign the 

voter's certificate on the envelope in the presence of the election official who shall sign as attesting 

official and date that signature. The election official shall then accept the ballot.

(d) The election official may not accept a marked ballot that has been exhibited by an absentee voter with 

intent to influence other voters. If the absentee voter spoils a ballot, the voter may request and the election 

official shall provide another ballot up to a maximum of three. Exhibited or spoiled ballots shall be 

destroyed. The numbers of all ballots destroyed shall be noted on the ballot statement.

(e) Each election official shall keep a record of the names and signatures of voters who cast absentee 

ballots before the election official and the dates on which the ballots were cast.

Sec. 15.20.064. Early voting.

(a) For 15 days before an election and on election day, a qualified voter who meets the requirements set 

out in this section may vote in locations designated by the director.

(b) The election supervisor or other election official shall issue a ballot to the voter upon

(1) exhibition of proof of identification as required in AS 15.15.225;

(2) verification that the voter's residence address appearing on the official registration list is current; and

(3) the voter's signing the early voting register.

(c) After the voter has marked the ballot, the voter shall place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve and inform 

the election supervisor or other election official. The voter shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box in the 

presence of the election supervisor or other election official unless the voter requests the election 

supervisor or other election official to deposit the ballot on the voter's behalf. The tabulation of early 

voting ballots may not begin before 8:00 p.m. prevailing time on election day.

(d) The director shall designate locations for early voting by June 1 of an election year.

C5. Voters are required to vote a questioned ballot under the following situations:

1. Voter’s name does not appear on register. AS 15.15.198

Sec. 15.15.198. Voters not on official registration list.

(a) If a voter's name does not appear on the official registration list in the precinct in which the voter 

seeks to vote, the election official shall affirmatively advise the voter that the voter may cast a questioned 

ballot, and the voter shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot. At the time the voter casts a questioned 

ballot, the voter shall be given written information stating that the voter will be able to ascertain whether 

the ballot was counted and, if not counted, the reason the ballot was not counted.
(b) A person whose registration is inactive under AS 15.07.130(b) and who votes a questioned or absentee 

ballot shall have the ballot counted if

(1) the person was registered to vote in the last four calendar years;

(2) the person signs a statement to that effect; and

(3) the earlier registration is verified by the director.

2. Voter does not have proper identification. AS 15.15.210

Sec. 15.15.210. Questioning of voters of suspect qualification.

Every election official shall question, and every watcher and any other person qualified to vote in the 

precinct may question, a person attempting to vote if the questioner has good reason to suspect that the 

questioned person is not qualified under AS 15.05. All questions regarding a person's qualifications to 

vote shall be made in writing setting out the reason the person has been questioned. A questioned person 

shall, before voting, subscribe to a declaration in a form provided by the director attesting to the fact that 

in each particular the person meets all the qualifications of a voter, is not disqualified, and has not voted 

at the same election, and certifying that the person understands that a false statement on the declaration 

may subject the person to prosecution for a misdemeanor under this title or AS 11. After the questioned 

person has executed the declaration, the person may vote. If the questioned person refuses to execute the 

declaration, the person may not vote.

3. Voter’s residence address has changed. AS 15.07.090

Sec. 15.07.090. Voting after change of name; reregistration; amendment or transfer of registration.

(a) A voter whose name is changed by marriage or court order may vote under the previous name, but a 

voter who desires to use a new name shall vote a questioned ballot.

(b) A voter shall reregister if the voter's registration is cancelled as provided in AS 15.07.130 . The 

reregistration is effective for the next election that occurs at least 30 days

after the date of reregistration.

(c) The director shall transfer the registration of a voter from one precinct to another within a house 

district when requested by the voter. The request shall be made 30 or more days before the election day. 

The director shall transfer the registration of a voter from one house district to another when requested by 

the voter. The voter must reside in the new house district for at least 30 days in order to vote.

(d) A person who claims to be a registered voter, but for whom no evidence of registration in the precinct 

can be found, shall be granted the right to vote in the same manner

as that of a questioned voter and the ballot shall be treated in the same manner. The ballot shall be 

considered to be a "questioned ballot" and shall be so designated. The director or the director's 

representative shall determine whether the voter is registered in the house district before counting the 

ballot. A voter who has failed to obtain a transfer as provided in (c) of this section shall vote a 

"questioned ballot" in the precinct in which the voter resides.

4. Voter’s qualifications are questioned. AS 15.15.225

Sec. 15.15.225. Voter identification at polls.

(a) Before being allowed to vote, each voter shall exhibit to an election official one form of identification, 

including

(1) an official voter registration card, driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo 

identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license; or
(2) an original or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other 

government document; an item exhibited under this paragraph must show the name and current address of 

the voter.

(b) An election official may waive the identification requirement if the election official knows the identity 

of the voter. The identification requirement may not be waived for voters who are first-time voters who 

initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under 

AS 15.07.050, and did not provide identification as required in AS 15.07.060.

(c) A voter who cannot exhibit a required form of identification shall be allowed to vote a questioned 

ballot.

C6. All questioned ballots are reviewed by a bi-partisan board to determine the eligibility of the voter to 

have cast the ballot. Alaska does count questioned ballots if the voter is registered anywhere in the state. 

Sec. 15.20.207. Procedure for district questioned ballot review.

(a) The district questioned ballot counting board shall examine each questioned ballot envelope and shall 

determine whether the questioned voter is qualified to vote at the election and whether the questioned 

ballot has been properly cast.

(b) A questioned ballot may not be counted if the voter

(1) has failed to properly execute the certificate;

(2) is a first-time voter who initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission 

approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 , has not provided the identification required by AS 

15.15.225(a), was not eligible for waiver of the identification requirement under AS 15.15.225 (b), and 

has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060 (a)(2) and (3) that can be verified through state 

agency records described in AS 15.07.055 (e); or

(3) is a voter other than one described in (2) of this subsection, did not provide identification described in 

AS 15.15.225 (a), was not personally known by the election official, and has not provided the identifiers 

required in AS 15.07.060 (a)(2) and (3).

(c) Any person present at the district questioned ballot review may challenge the name of a questioned 

voter when read from the voter's certificate on the envelope if the person has good reason to suspect that 

the questioned voter is not qualified to vote, is disqualified, or has voted at the same election. The person 

making the challenge shall specify the basis of the challenge in writing. The district questioned ballot 

counting board by majority vote may refuse to accept and count the questioned ballot of a person properly 

challenged under grounds listed in (b) of this section.

(d) The election supervisor shall place all rejected questioned ballots in a separate envelope with 

statements of challenge. The envelope shall be labeled "rejected questioned ballots" and shall be 

forwarded to the director with the election certificates and other returns.

(e) If a questioned ballot is not rejected, the envelope shall be opened and the secrecy sleeve containing 

the questioned ballot shall be placed in a container and mixed with other secrecy sleeves containing 

questioned ballots.

(f) The secrecy sleeves shall be drawn from the container, the questioned ballots shall be removed from 

the secrecy sleeves, and the questioned ballots counted at the times specified in AS 15.20.205 and 

according to the rules for determining properly marked ballots in AS 15.15.360.

(g) Upon completion of the questioned ballot review, the election supervisor shall prepare an election 

certificate for execution by the district questioned ballot counting board, and shall forward the original 
certificate and returns to the director as soon as the count is completed but no later than the 16th day 

following the election.

(h) The director shall prepare and mail to each questioned voter whose questioned ballot was rejected 

under this section a summary of the reason that the challenge to the questioned ballot was upheld and the 

questioned ballot was rejected.

(i) The director shall mail the materials described in (h) of this section to the voter not later than

(1) 10 days after completion of the review of ballots by the state review board for a primary election;

(2) 60 days after certification of the results of a general or special election.

(j) In addition to mailing the materials under (i)(1) of this section, for a questioned voter whose 

questioned primary election ballot was rejected, not later than the deadline set out in

(i)(1) of this section, the director shall

(1) determine whether, from the information obtained under AS 15.07.070(h), the voter's name may be 

entered on the voter registration list;

(2) if the voter is eligible, register the voter in accordance with the information submitted by the voter 

under AS 15.07.070 (h); and

(3) confirm or deny the registration by written notice mailed to the voter.

(k) The director shall make available through a free access system to each voter voting a questioned ballot 

a system to check to see whether the voter's ballot was counted and, if not counted, the reason why the 

ballot was not counted. The director shall make this information available through the free access system 

not less than 10 days after certification of the results of a primary election and not less than 30 days after 

the certification of the results of a general or special election.

C7. The election results are reviewed by a bi-partisan State Ballot Counting Review Board. The board 

reviews the precinct, absentee and questioned ballot results.

AS 15.15.420, 15.15.430, 15.15.440 and 15.15.450

Sec.15.15.420. Duty to review the ballot counting.

The director shall review the counting of the ballots with the assistance of and in the presence of the 

appointed representatives from the political parties.

Sec. 15.15.430. Scope of the review of ballot counting.

(a) The review of ballot counting by the director shall include only

(1) a review of the precinct registers, tallies, and ballots cast;

(2) a review of absentee and questioned ballots as prescribed by law; and

(3) unless the ballot for the election district contains nothing but uncontested offices, a hand count of 

ballots from one randomly selected precinct in each election district that accounts for at least five percent 

of the ballots cast in that district.

(b) If, following the ballot review set out in (a) of this section, the director finds there is a discrepancy of 

more than one percent between the results of the hand count under (a)(3) of this section and the count 

certified by the election board, the director shall conduct a hand count of the ballots from that district.
(c) If the director finds an unexplained discrepancy in the ballot count in any precinct, the director may 

count the ballots from that precinct.

(d) The director shall certify in writing to the state ballot counting review board and publish on the 

division's Internet website any changes resulting from a count performed under (b) or (c) of this section.

Sec. 15.15.440. State ballot counting review.

The state ballot counting review shall begin as soon as practicable after the election is completed and no 

later than 16 days after an election and shall be continued until completed.

The director may designate the hours each day during which the state ballot counting review board is to 

conduct its ballot counting review. The director shall close the review when the director is satisfied that 

no missing precinct certificate of election would, if received, change the result of the election. If no 

election certificate has been received from a precinct, the director may secure from the election 

supervisors and may count a certified copy of the duplicate election certificate of the precinct. If no 

election materials have been received, but election results have been received by telephone, telegram, or 

radio, the director shall count the election results so received. If the director has reason to believe that a 

missing precinct certificate, if received, would affect the result of the election, the director shall await the 

receipt of the certificate until the close of business on the 15th day after the date of election. A certificate 

not actually delivered to the director by the close of business on the 15th day after the election may not be 

counted at the state ballot counting review.

Sec. 15.15.450. Certification of state ballot counting review.

Upon completion of the state ballot counting review the director shall certify the person receiving the 

largest number of votes for the office for which that person was a candidate as elected to that office and 

shall certify the approval of a justice or judge not rejected by a majority of the voters voting on the 

question. The director shall issue to the elected candidates and approved justices and judges a certificate 

of their election or approval. The director shall also certify the results of a proposition and other question 

except that the lieutenant governor shall certify the results of an initiative, referendum, or constitutional 

amendment.

D2a. Registering to vote

Sec. 15.07.060 (c) outlines the identification requirements for registering to vote as follows:

(c) Each applicant who requests registration in person before a registration official shall exhibit one form 

of identification to the official, including a driver's license, state identification card, current and valid 

photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license. A registration official who 

knows the identity of the applicant may waive the identification requirement.

(d) If the applicant requests reregistration, the applicant shall supply under oath any former name under 

which the applicant was registered to vote in the state.

(e) For an applicant requesting initial registration by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission 

approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 , the director shall verify the information provided in 

compliance with (a)(2) and (3) of this section through state agency records described in AS 15.07.055 (e). 

If the applicant cannot comply with the requirement of (a)(2) of this section because the applicant has not 

been issued any of the listed numbers, the applicant may instead submit a copy of one of the following 

forms of identification: a driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo identification, 
birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license. (f) If an applicant who requests registration cannot 

comply with the requirement of

(a)(2) of this section because the applicant has not been issued any of the listed numbers, the division 

shall assign the applicant a unique identifying number.

6 AAC 25.027. Registration of Voters.

(a) An applicant who requests registration or reregistration in person before a registration official must 

provide proof of identification. Proof of identification includes the applicant's

(1) driver's license;

(2) state identification card;

(3) passport;

(4) military identification card;

(5) hunting or fishing license;

(6) birth certificate; or

(7) current and valid photo identification, other than those otherwise specified in this subsection.

(b) Proof of identification required under (a) of this section may be waived if the applicant applying for 

registration or reregistration in person is personally known by the registration official. An applicant is 

personally known by the registration official if the registration official is able to identify and address the 

applicant by first and last name.

(c) An individual may request registration or reregistration on behalf of a voter if the voter has executed a 

general power of attorney in accordance with AS 13.26.332 or a special power of attorney in accordance 

with 6 AAC 25.683 authorizing that individual to register the voter. In addition to the completed 

registration application and applicable identification and proof of residency documentation for the voter, 

that individual must provide, for each registration or reregistration,

(1) identification as listed in (a) of this section, and

(2) a copy of the power of attorney authorizing the individual to register the voter on that voter's behalf.

(d) An applicant or an individual acting on behalf of an applicant with a power of attorney who requests 

registration or reregistration by mail from outside this state must provide identification or other 

documentation that supports the applicant's claim to Alaska residency.

If a form of identification required under (a) of this section is provided for proof of residency, the 

identification must include an Alaska residence address. Other forms of documentation include

(1) a military leave and earnings statement that identifies Alaska as the applicant's state of legal residence;

(2) proof of employment in this state that indicates a date on which the applicant was employed; or

(3) proof of an Alaska student loan and college tuition showing Alaska as the state of residence.

(e) A person's voting qualifications or residency are not dependent on those of the person's spouse, parent, 

or legal guardian. Each applicant for registration or reregistration must be personally qualified under AS 

15.05.010 and 15.05.011, and must have personally established residency in the State of Alaska by 

physical presence in the state and present intention to establish a permanent dwelling in Alaska as 

provided in AS 15.05.020.

(f) An applicant initially registering or reregistering to vote by mail or by electronic transmission must 

have the applicant's identity verified following the identification requirements specified in AS 15.07.060 

(a)(2) - (3) and (e). If the applicant's identity cannot be verified with the application, an acknowledgement 
card will be sent to the applicant informing the applicant that the applicant is registered to vote. However, 

the first time the applicant votes, the applicant shall provide proof of identity as specified in AS 

15.15.225, or the applicant may submit a copy of one of the forms of identification specified in AS

15.07.060 (e) to receive a voter's identification card.

(g) In addition to the information specified in AS 15.07.195 (a), a telephone number and an electronic 

mail address provided by the applicant when registering to vote are considered confidential and will not 

be released to the general public.

(h) The documentation provided under (c) of this section will be microfilmed or otherwise retained by the 

division as part of the voter's record.

Authority: AS 15.05.010, AS 15.05.011, AS 15.05.020, AS 15.07.030, AS

15.07.050, AS 15.07.060, AS 15.07.070, AS 15.07.195, AS 15.15.225