reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 1. Election Precincts and Officials. › Sec. 15.10.120. Appointment of election board.

(a) An election supervisor shall appoint in each precinct within the election supervisor's district an election board composed of at least three qualified voters registered to vote in that precinct. If the election supervisor is unable to locate three qualified individuals registered to vote in that precinct who are willing and able to serve on the election board, the election supervisor may appoint any qualified individual registered to vote in the house district in which the precinct is located. If the election supervisor is unable to locate three qualified individuals registered to vote in the precinct or in the district who are willing and able to serve on the election board, the election supervisor may appoint any qualified individual registered to vote in this state. In addition to the three qualified voters registered to vote in the precinct, district, or state, an election supervisor may also appoint not more than two members of the youth vote ambassador program established in AS 15.10.108 to serve on a precinct election board.
(b) On or before April 15 in each regular election year, or at least 60 days before a special election, a party district committee or state party central committee of each political party may nominate two candidates for each election board. Nominations shall be presented in writing to the election supervisor for the district in which the precinct is located.
(c) An election supervisor shall appoint one nominee of the political party or political group with the largest number of registered voters at the time of the preceding gubernatorial election and one nominee of the political party or political group with the second largest number of registered voters at the time of the preceding gubernatorial election. However, the election supervisor may appoint a qualified person registered as a member of a third political party or political group or as a nonpartisan or undeclared voter if a party district committee or state party central committee of the party or group with the largest number of registered voters or the party or group with the second largest number of registered voters at the time of the preceding gubernatorial election fails to present the names prescribed by (b) of this section by April 15 of a regular election year or at least 60 days before a special primary election.
(d) An election supervisor shall appoint a chairperson for each election board within the election supervisor's district.
(e) When appointments to the election board have been accepted by the respective appointees, the election supervisor shall notify the director of the names and mailing addresses of the designated chairperson and other election board officials.
(f) For a municipal election in which voters cast ballots at polling places in their precincts, election boards shall be appointed by the appropriate municipality.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 1. Election Precincts and Officials. › Sec. 15.10.140. Appointment of counters.

The chairperson of the election board may appoint a team of counters to assist with the counting of the ballots in each precinct where the election supervisor considers it necessary. The appointments may be made from among the qualified voters in the precincts in which they reside, and may be made at any time before the completion of the precinct count. There shall be four counters on each counting team, no more than two of whom may be of the same political party.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 1. Election Precincts and Officials. › Sec. 15.10.170. Appointment and privileges of watchers.

(a) 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 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 may not have more than one watcher on duty at a time in any precinct or counting center. A watcher must be a United States citizen. 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.
(b) In addition to the watchers appointed under (a) of this section, in a primary election or special primary election or special election under AS 15.40.140, each candidate may appoint one watcher in each precinct and counting center.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 1. Election Precincts and Officials. › Sec. 15.10.180. Appointment of state ballot counting review board.

The director shall appoint two persons from the political party of which the governor is a member and two persons from the political party that received the second largest number of votes statewide in the preceding gubernatorial election to participate in the state ballot counting review. The director may appoint additional individuals to participate in the state ballot counting review. Appointees must be United States citizens. Each political party may present to the director a list of three or more names from which the director shall select the persons to represent the party. The list of names may be submitted in writing at least 30 days before the date of the election. The list of names shall be certified by the state chairperson of the political party or by the person authorized by the party bylaws to act in the absence of the chairperson.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 2. Census and Population. › Sec. 15.10.200. Definition of “decennial census of the United States” and use of census numbers by redistricting board.

(a) In art. VI, Constitution of the State of Alaska, reference to the official decennial census of the United States is a reference to the census enumeration used to establish apportionment among the several states.
(b) In adopting a redistricting plan under art. VI, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the redistricting board may not adjust the census numbers by using estimates, population surveys, or sampling for the purpose of excluding or discriminating among persons counted based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, occupation, military or civilian status, or length of residency.
(c) A qualified voter may bring an action in the superior court against the redistricting board to enforce the provisions of (b) of this section.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 2. Census and Population. › Sec. 15.10.210. Expenditures for population surveys or sampling prohibited.

An expenditure of public funds may not be made for a population survey or sampling conducted for purposes of redistricting the legislature without an express appropriation by the legislature for that purpose.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 2. Census and Population. › Sec. 15.10.220. Voting Rights Act review and legal representation.

(a) The independent legal counsel for the Redistricting Board provided for in art. VI, sec. 9, Constitution of the State of Alaska, shall
(1) submit the board's redistricting plan for preclearance to the United States Department of Justice or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia under 42 U.S.C. 1973c; and
(2) defend the plan and board in all matters concerning redistricting until a final plan for redistricting and a proclamation of redistricting have been adopted and all challenges to them brought under art. VI, sec. 11, Constitution of the State of Alaska, have been resolved after final remand or affirmation; the board shall have sole discretion to enter a settlement agreement and control litigation strategy that affects the final proclamation issued under art. VI, sec. 10, Constitution of the State of Alaska.
(b) Nothing in this section denies or creates standing in the governor, the legislature, or another person to be a party to the proceedings described in subsection (a).
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 10. Election Precincts, Election Officials, and Redistricting › Article 3. Redistricting. › Sec. 15.10.300. Preparation for legislative redistricting.

(a) There is created as an independent agency of the state the Redistricting Planning Committee. The committee shall be composed of five members. One member shall be appointed by the president of the senate, one member shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one member shall be appointed by the chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, and two members shall be appointed by the governor.
(b) Four members of the committee constitute a quorum to transact business. Meetings of the committee are subject to AS 44.62.310.
(c) The committee may make necessary preparations and arrangements for the Redistricting Board provided for in art. VI, sec. 8, Constitution of the State of Alaska. The committee may arrange for office space for the board and its staff before the convening of the board, including the leasing of appropriate facilities and office equipment.
(d) The committee may compile or contract for the compilation of information necessary for the Redistricting Board to begin its work, including
(1) paper maps or a computer data base received from the United States Bureau of the Census describing all units of census geography;
(2) a computer data base of election and voter registration information from the division of elections to assist the Redistricting Board in determining compliance with 42 U.S.C. 1973-1973l (Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended) and other statutory and constitutional requirements;
(3) information indicating the location of cultural, economic, geographic, demographic, and trade area factors in the state; and
(4) information or analysis of state and federal court decisions concerning reapportionment.
(e) The committee shall develop and issue a request for competitive sealed proposals to procure a computerized system that uses census data and maps to prepare plans for state senate and house districts in conformity with statutory and constitutional criteria and within applicable time constraints. The committee may award a contract for the acquisition of computer software and hardware and for the provision of computer services to the responsible and responsive offeror whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the state, taking into consideration price and evaluation factors set out in the request for proposals. The computer system must be developed so that it is available for use by the Redistricting Board immediately upon the board's convening.
(f) The committee may seek assistance as necessary from the legislative council, the Department of Administration, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Law, and the division of elections.
(g) In the event that the committee is determined to be unlawful, the legislative council shall assume the committee's responsibilities and perform its duties as described in this section.
(h) In this section, “committee” means the Redistricting Planning Committee.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.010. Applicability.

(a) This chapter applies
(1) in every election for governor, lieutenant governor, a member of the state legislature, a delegate to a constitutional convention, or judge seeking judicial retention;
(2) to every candidate for election to a municipal office in a municipality with a population of more than 1,000 inhabitants according to the latest United States census figures or estimates of population certified as correct for administrative purposes by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development unless the municipality has exempted itself from the provisions of this chapter; a municipality may exempt its elected municipal officers from the requirements of this chapter if a majority of the voters voting on the question at a regular election, as defined by AS 29.71.800(21), or a special municipality-wide election called for that purpose, votes to exempt its elected municipal officers from the requirements of this chapter; the question of exemption from the requirements of this chapter may be submitted by the governing body by ordinance or by initiative election.
(b) Except as otherwise provided, this chapter applies to contributions, expenditures, and communications made for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a ballot proposition or question as well as those made to influence the nomination or election of a candidate.
(c) This chapter does not prohibit a municipality from regulating by ordinance election campaign contributions and expenditures in municipal elections, or from regulating those campaign contributions and expenditures more strictly than provided in this chapter.
(d) This chapter does not limit the authority of a person to make contributions to influence the outcome of a voter proposition submitted to the public for a vote at a municipal election. In this subsection, in addition to its meaning under AS 15.13.065(c), “proposition” means a municipal reclassification, proposal to adopt or amend a home rule charter, a unification proposal, a boundary change proposal, or the approval of an ordinance when approval by public vote is a requirement for the ordinance.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.030. Duties of the commission.

The commission shall
(1) develop and provide all forms for the reports and statements required to be made under this chapter, AS 24.45, and AS 39.50;
(2) prepare and publish a manual setting out uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting for use by persons required to make reports and statements under this chapter and otherwise assist all persons in complying with the requirements of this chapter;
(3) receive and hold open for public inspection reports and statements required to be made under this chapter and, upon request, furnish copies at cost to interested persons;
(4) compile and maintain a current list of all filed reports and statements;
(5) prepare a summary of each report filed under AS 15.13.110 and make copies of this summary available to interested persons at their actual cost;
(6) notify, by registered or certified mail, all persons who are delinquent in filing reports and statements required to be made under this chapter;
(7) examine, investigate, and compare all reports, statements, and actions required by this chapter, AS 24.45, and AS 39.50;
(8) prepare and publish a biennial report concerning the activities of the commission, the effectiveness of this chapter, its enforcement by the attorney general's office, and recommendations and proposals for change; the commission shall notify the legislature that the report is available;
(9) adopt regulations necessary to implement and clarify the provisions of AS 24.45, AS 39.50, and this chapter, subject to the provisions of AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act); and
(10) consider a written request for an advisory opinion concerning the application of this chapter, AS 24.45, AS 24.60.200 - 24.60.260, or AS 39.50.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.045. Investigations, hearings.

(a) The commission may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, hold hearings, and conduct investigations.
(b) In conjunction with (a) of this section, the commission may compel the attendance of witnesses and production of papers, books, records, accounts, documents, and testimony, and may have the deposition of witnesses taken in a manner prescribed by court rule or law for the taking of depositions in civil actions when consistent with the powers and duties assigned to the commission by this chapter.
(c) The commission may examine the papers, books, records, accounts, and documents of any person subject to this chapter to ascertain the correctness of a report filed with the commission, or in conjunction with an investigation or inspection conducted under (a) of this section.
(d) Subpoenas may be issued and shall be served in the manner prescribed by AS 44.62.430 and court rule. The failure, refusal, or neglect to obey a subpoena is punishable as contempt in the manner prescribed by law or court rule. The superior court may compel obedience to the commission's subpoena in the same manner as prescribed for obedience to a subpoena issued by the court.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.050. Registration before expenditure.

(a) Before making an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate or before making an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a ballot proposition or question or to an initiative proposal application filed with the lieutenant governor under AS 15.45.020, each person other than an individual shall register, on forms provided by the commission, with the commission.
(b) If a group intends to support only one candidate or to contribute to or expend on behalf of one candidate 33 1/3 percent or more of its funds, the name of the candidate shall be a part of the name of the group. If the group intends to oppose only one candidate or to contribute its funds in opposition to or make expenditures in opposition to a candidate, the group's name must clearly state that it opposes that candidate by using a word such as “opposes,” “opposing,” “in opposition to,” or “against” in the group's name. Promptly upon receiving the registration, the commission shall notify the candidate of the group's organization and intent. A candidate may register more than one group to support the candidate; however, multiple groups controlled by a single candidate shall be treated as a single group for purposes of the contribution limit in AS 15.13.070(b)(1).
(c) If a group intends to make more than 50 percent of its contributions or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a single initiative on the ballot, the title or common name of the initiative must be a part of the name of the group. If the group intends to make more than 50 percent of its contributions or expenditures in opposition to a single initiative on the ballot, the group's name must clearly state that the group opposes that initiative by using a word such as “opposes,” “opposing,” “in opposition to,” or “against” in the group's name.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.052. Independent expenditures; political activities accounts.

(a) Before making an independent expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate or before making an independent expenditure in support of or in opposition to a ballot proposition or question, each person other than an individual, candidate, or nongroup entity with an annual operating budget of $250 or less shall establish a political activities account. The political activities account may be a separate account in the person's general treasury. The political activities account must be administered using generally accepted accounting principles. All funds used by the person to make independent expenditures must be drawn from the person's political activities account.
(b) Records necessary to substantiate that the requirements of (a) of this section have been met must be made available for inspection by the commission.
(c) Each person who has established a political activities account under this section shall preserve all records necessary to substantiate the person's compliance with the requirements of this section for each of the six preceding years.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.060. Campaign treasurers.

(a) Each candidate and group shall appoint a campaign treasurer who is responsible for receiving, holding, and disbursing all contributions and expenditures, and for filing all reports and statements required by law. A candidate may be a campaign treasurer.
(b) Each group shall file the name and address of its campaign treasurer with the commission at the time it registers with the commission under AS 15.13.050.
(c) Each candidate for state office shall file the name and address of the campaign treasurer with the commission, or submit, in writing, the name and address of the campaign treasurer to the director for filing with the commission, no later than 15 days after the date of filing the declaration of candidacy or the nominating petition. Each candidate for municipal office shall file the name and address of the campaign treasurer with the commission no later than seven days after the date of filing the declaration of candidacy or the nominating petition. If the candidate does not designate a campaign treasurer, the candidate is the campaign treasurer.
(d) In the case of the death, resignation, or removal of a campaign treasurer, the candidate shall appoint a successor as soon as practicable and file the successor's name and address with the commission within 48 hours of the appointment. The candidate is disqualified if found to have been in wilful violation of this subsection.
(e) A campaign treasurer may appoint as many deputy campaign treasurers as necessary. The candidate shall file the names and addresses of the deputy campaign treasurers with the commission.
(f) The candidate is responsible for the performance of the campaign treasurer, and any default or violation by the treasurer also shall be considered a default or violation by the candidate if the candidate knew or had reason to know of the default or violation.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.065. Contributions.

(a) Individuals, groups, nongroup entities, and political parties may make contributions to a candidate. An individual, group, or nongroup entity may make a contribution to a group, to a nongroup entity, or to a political party.
(b) A political party may contribute to a subordinate unit of the political party, and a subordinate unit of a political party may contribute to the political party of which it is a subordinate unit.
(c) Except for reports required by AS 15.13.040 and 15.13.110 and except for the requirements of AS 15.13.050, 15.13.060, and 15.13.112 - 15.13.114, the provisions of AS 15.13.010 - 15.13.116 do not apply to limit the authority of a person to make contributions to influence the outcome of a ballot proposition. In this subsection, in addition to its meaning in AS 15.80.010, “proposition” includes
(1) an issue placed on a ballot to determine whether
(A) a constitutional convention shall be called;
(B) a debt shall be contracted;
(C) an advisory question shall be approved or rejected; or
(D) a municipality shall be incorporated;
(2) an initiative proposal application filed with the lieutenant governor under AS 15.45.020.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.067. Who may make expenditures.

Only the following may make an expenditure that is not an independent expenditure in an election for candidates for elective office:
(1) the candidate;
(2) an individual;
(3) a group that has registered under AS 15.13.050; and
(4) a nongroup entity that has registered under AS 15.13.050.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.069. Certain expenditures that comply with charitable gaming provisions permitted.

Notwithstanding another provision of this title, a charitable gaming permittee that is a qualified organization under AS 05.15.690 may use the net proceeds of a raffle or lottery to make expenditures for the purposes permitted under AS 05.15.150(a)(3).
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.070. Limitations on amount of political contributions.

(a) An individual or group may make contributions, subject only to the limitations of this chapter and AS 24.45, including the limitations on the maximum amounts set out in this section.
(b) An individual may contribute not more than
(1) $500 per year to a nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate, or to a group that is not a political party;
(2) $5,000 per year to a political party.
(c) A group that is not a political party may contribute not more than $1,000 per year
(1) to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate;
(2) to another group, to a nongroup entity, or to a political party.
(d) A political party may contribute to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign, for the following offices an amount not to exceed
(1) $100,000 per year, if the election is for governor or lieutenant governor;
(2) $15,000 per year, if the election is for the state senate;
(3) $10,000 per year, if the election is for the state house of representatives; and
(4) $5,000 per year, if the election is for
(A) delegate to a constitutional convention;
(B) judge seeking retention; or
(C) municipal office.
(e) This section does not prohibit a candidate from using up to a total of $1,000 from campaign contributions in a year to pay the cost of
(1) attendance by a candidate or guests of the candidate at an event or other function sponsored by a political party or by a subordinate unit of a political party;
(2) membership in a political party, subordinate unit of a political party, or other entity within a political party, or subscription to a publication from a political party; or
(3) co-sponsorship of an event or other function sponsored by a political party or by a subordinate unit of a political party.
(f) A nongroup entity may contribute not more than $1,000 a year to another nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate, to a group, or to a political party.
(g) Where contributions are made to a joint campaign for governor and lieutenant governor,
(1) an individual may contribute not more than $1,000 per year; and
(2) a group may contribute not more than $2,000 per year.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.078. Contributions and loans from the candidate.

(a) The provisions of this chapter do not prohibit the individual who is a candidate from giving any amount of the candidate's own money or other thing of value to the campaign of the candidate. Donations made by the candidate to the candidate's own campaign shall be reported as contributions in accordance with AS 15.13.040 and 15.13.110.
(b) The provisions of this chapter do not prohibit the individual who is a candidate from lending any amount to the campaign of the candidate. Loans made by the candidate shall be reported as contributions in accordance with AS 15.13.040 and 15.13.110. However, the candidate may not
(1) recover, under this section and AS 15.13.116(a)(4), the amount of a loan made by the candidate to the candidate's own campaign that exceeds
(A) $25,000, if the candidate ran for governor or lieutenant governor;
(B) $10,000, if the candidate ran for
(i) the legislature; or
(ii) delegate to a constitutional convention;
(C) $10,000, if the candidate was a judge seeking retention;
(D) $5,000, if the candidate ran in a municipal election; or
(2) repay a loan that the candidate has made to the candidate's own campaign unless, within five days of making the loan, the candidate notifies the commission, on a form provided by the commission, of the candidate's intention to repay the loan under AS 15.13.116(a)(4).
(c) On and after the date determined under AS 15.13.110 as the last day of the period ending three days before the due date of the report required to be filed under AS 15.13.110(a)(1) and until the date of the election for which the report is filed, a candidate may not give or loan to the candidate's campaign the candidate's money or other thing of value of the candidate in an amount that exceeds $5,000.
(d) The provisions of this section apply only to the individual who is a candidate, as that term is defined by AS 15.13.400(1)(A), and do not apply to authorize a contribution or loan under this section by an individual described in the definition of the term “candidate” under AS 15.13.400(1)(B).
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.082. Limitations on expenditures.

(a) A candidate or group may not make an expenditure in cash that exceeds $100 unless the candidate, or the campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer, obtains a written receipt from the person to whom the expenditure is made.
(b) A person, other than an individual exempt from reporting under AS 15.13.040(h), may not make an expenditure unless the source of the expenditure has been disclosed as required by this chapter.
(c) If a candidate receives a contribution in the form of cash, check, money order, or other negotiable instrument and is subject to being reported to the commission under this chapter, the candidate may neither expend the contribution nor, in the case of a negotiable instrument, convert it to cash unless the candidate, campaign treasurer, or deputy campaign treasurer first records the following information for disclosure to the commission:
(1) the name, address, principal occupation, and employer of the contributor; and
(2) the date and amount of the contribution.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.084. Prohibited expenditures.

A person may not make an expenditure
(1) anonymously, unless the expenditure is
(A) paid for by an individual acting independently of any person;
(B) made to influence the outcome of a ballot proposition as that term is defined by AS 15.13.065(c); and
(C) made for
(i) a billboard or sign; or
(ii) printed material, other than an advertisement made in a newspaper or other periodical;
(2) using a fictitious name or using the name of another.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.086. Authorized makers of expenditures.

An expenditure
(1) authorized by or in behalf of a candidate may be made only by
(A) the candidate; or
(B) the candidate's campaign treasurer or a deputy campaign treasurer;
(2) authorized by AS 15.13.067(3) by or in behalf of a group may be made only by the group's campaign treasurer.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.095. False statements in telephone polling and calls to convince.

(a) A candidate who is damaged as the result of a false statement about the candidate made with knowledge that it was false, or with reckless disregard for whether it was false or not, made as part of a telephone poll or an organized series of calls, and made with the intent to convince potential voters concerning the outcome of an election in which the candidate is running may recover damages in an action in superior court under this section against the individual who made the telephone call, the individual's employer, and the person who contracted for or authorized the poll or calls to convince. However, the employer of the individual or the person who contracted for or authorized the poll or calls to convince is liable to the defamed candidate only if the employer or person authorized the statement to be made, knowing that it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was false or not, as part of the poll or calls to convince.
(b) The court may award damages, including punitive damages. If the court finds that the result of the statement places the integrity of the election process in substantial doubt, the eligibility of the successful candidate to hold the office to which elected shall be determined as provided in AS 15.56.110(b) or, in the case of a candidate for governor or lieutenant governor, by impeachment under art. II, sec. 20, Constitution of the State of Alaska.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.100. Expenditures before filing.

A political campaign expenditure may not be made or incurred by a person in an election or by a person or group with the person's knowledge and on the person's behalf before the date upon which the person files for nomination for the office which the person seeks, except for personal travel expenses or for opinion surveys or polls. These expenditures must be included in the first report required under this chapter after filing for office.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.111. Preservation of records.

(a) Each person required to report under this chapter shall preserve all records necessary to substantiate information required to be reported under this chapter for a period of six years from the date of the election for which the information was required to be reported, unless the records have been submitted to the commission under (c) of this section.
(b) Information preserved under (a) of this section must be made available for inspection by the commission.
(c) A candidate for state elected office who was not elected or a person who has left state elected office may submit the records required to be preserved under (a) of this section to the commission electronically. Records submitted under this subsection shall be preserved by the commission for a period of six years from the date of the election for which the information was required to be reported.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.112. Uses of campaign contributions held by candidate or group.

(a) Except as otherwise provided, campaign contributions held by a candidate or group may be used only to pay the expenses of the candidate or group, and the campaign expenses incurred by the candidate or group, that reasonably relate to election campaign activities, and in those cases only as authorized by this chapter.
(b) Campaign contributions held by a candidate or group may not be
(1) used to give a personal benefit to the candidate or to another person;
(2) converted to personal income of the candidate;
(3) loaned to a person;
(4) knowingly used to pay more than the fair market value for goods or services purchased for the campaign;
(5) used to pay a criminal fine;
(6) used to pay civil penalties; however, campaign contributions held by a candidate or group may be used to pay a civil penalty assessed under this chapter if authorized by the commission or a court after it first determines that
(A) the candidate, campaign treasurer, and deputy campaign treasurer did not cause or participate in the violation for which the civil penalty is imposed and exercised a reasonable level of oversight over the campaign; and
(B) the candidate, campaign treasurer, and deputy campaign treasurer cooperated in the revelation of the violation and in its immediate correction; or
(7) used to make contributions to another candidate or to a group; however, it is not a violation of this paragraph if, in circumstances in which a candidate or group participates in a shared campaign activity, the candidate or group participating in the activity
(A) uses campaign contributions of the candidate or group for payment of
(i) all of the shared campaign activity expense; or
(ii) more than the candidate's or group's pro rata share of the activity expense; and
(B) receives, within seven days after payment of the expense, complete reimbursement of the amount of campaign contributions used for payments made on behalf of another candidate or group participating in the activity.
(c) A candidate may use up to a total of $1,000 in campaign contributions in a year to pay the cost of
(1) attending, or paying the cost for guests of the candidate to attend, an event or other function sponsored by a political party or subordinate unit of a political party;
(2) membership in a political party, subordinate unit of a political party, or other entity within a political party, or subscription to a publication from a political party; and
(3) co-sponsorship of an event or other function sponsored by a political party or by a subordinate unit of a political party.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.114. Disposition of prohibited contributions.

(a) A candidate, group, or nongroup entity that receives and accepts a contribution given in violation of AS 15.13.072 or 15.13.074 shall immediately, upon discovery that the contribution is prohibited, return it to the contributor. A candidate, group, or nongroup entity that receives and accepts a contribution in excess of the limitation on contributions set out in AS 15.13.070 shall immediately, upon discovery of the prohibited excess contribution, return the excess to the contributor. If the contribution or excess amount cannot be returned in the same form, the equivalent value of the contribution or excess amount shall be returned.
(b) An anonymous contribution is forfeited to the state unless the contributor is identified within five days of its receipt. Money that forfeits to the state under this subsection shall be delivered immediately to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the general fund.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.135. Independent expenditures for or against candidates.

(a) An independent expenditure supporting or opposing a candidate for election to public office, except an independent expenditure made by a nongroup entity with an annual operating budget of $250 or less, shall be reported in accordance with AS 15.13.040 and 15.13.100 - 15.13.110 and other requirements of this chapter.
(b) A person who makes independent expenditures for a mass mailing, for distribution of campaign literature of any sort, for a television, radio, newspaper, or magazine advertisement, or any other communication that supports or opposes a candidate for election to public office
(1) shall comply with AS 15.13.090; and
(2) shall place the following statement in the mailing, literature, advertisement, or other communication so that it is readily and easily discernible:
This NOTICE TO VOTERS is required by Alaska law. (I/we) certify that this (mailing/literature/advertisement) is not authorized, paid for, or approved by the candidate.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.140. Independent expenditures for or against ballot proposition or question.

(a) [Repealed, § 19 ch 36 SLA 2010.]
(b) An independent expenditure for or against a ballot proposition or question
(1) shall be reported in accordance with AS 15.13.040 and 15.13.100 - 15.13.110 and other requirements of this chapter; and
(2) may not be made if the expenditure is prohibited by AS 15.13.145.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.145. Money of the state and its political subdivisions.

(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this section, each of the following may not use money held by the entity to influence the outcome of the election of a candidate to a state or municipal office:
(1) the state, its agencies, and its corporations;
(2) the University of Alaska and its Board of Regents;
(3) municipalities, school districts, and regional educational attendance areas, or another political subdivision of the state; and
(4) an officer or employee of an entity identified in (1) - (3) of this subsection.
(b) Money held by an entity identified in (a)(1) - (3) of this section may be used to influence the outcome of an election concerning a ballot proposition or question, but only if the funds have been specifically appropriated for that purpose by a state law or a municipal ordinance.
(c) Money held by an entity identified in (a)(1) - (3) of this section may be used
(1) to disseminate information about the time and place of an election and to hold an election;
(2) to provide the public with nonpartisan information about a ballot proposition or question or about all the candidates seeking election to a particular public office.
(d) When expenditure of money is authorized by (b) or (c) of this section and is used to influence the outcome of an election, the expenditures shall be reported to the commission in the same manner as an individual is required to report under AS 15.13.040.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.150. Election educational activities not prohibited.

This chapter does not prohibit a person from engaging in educational election-related communications and activities, including
(1) the publication of the date and location of an election;
(2) the education of students about voting and elections;
(3) the sponsorship of candidate debate forums open to the public;
(4) participation in get-out-the-vote or voter registration drives that do not favor a particular candidate, political party, or political position;
(5) the dissemination of the views of all candidates running for a particular office.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.155. Restrictions on earned income and honoraria.

(a) A candidate for the state legislature, for governor, or for lieutenant governor, including an individual campaigning as a write-in candidate for the office, may not
(1) seek or accept compensation for personal services that involves payments that are not commensurate with the services rendered taking into account the higher rates generally charged by specialists in a profession; or
(2) accept a payment of anything of value, except for actual and necessarily incurred travel expenses, for an appearance or speech; this paragraph does not apply to the salary paid to the candidate for making an appearance or speech as part of the candidate's normal course of employment.
(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a candidate for the state legislature, for governor, or for lieutenant governor, including an individual campaigning as a write-in candidate for the office, may accept a payment for an appearance or speech if the appearance or speech is not connected with the individual's status as a state official or as a candidate.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.374. Advisory opinion.

(a) Any person may request an advisory opinion from the commission concerning this chapter, AS 24.45, AS 24.60.200 - 24.60.260, or AS 39.50.
(b) A request for an advisory opinion
(1) must be in writing or contained in a message submitted by electronic mail;
(2) must describe a specific transaction or activity that the requesting person is presently engaged in or intends to undertake in the future;
(3) must include a description of all relevant facts, including the identity of the person requesting the advisory opinion; and
(4) may not concern a hypothetical situation or the activity of a third party.
(c) Within seven days after receiving a request satisfying the requirements of (b) of this section, the executive director of the commission shall recommend a draft advisory opinion for the commission to consider at its next meeting.
(d) The approval of a draft advisory opinion requires the affirmative vote of four members of the commission. A draft advisory opinion failing to receive four affirmative votes of the members of the commission is disapproved.
(e) A complaint under AS 15.13.380 may not be considered about a person involved in a transaction or activity that
(1) was described in an advisory opinion approved under (d) of this section;
(2) is indistinguishable from the description of an activity that was approved in an advisory opinion approved under (d) of this section; or
(3) was undertaken after the executive director of the commission recommended a draft advisory opinion under (c) of this section and before the commission acted on the draft advisory opinion under (d) of this section, if
(A) the draft advisory opinion would have approved the transaction or activity described; and
(B) the commission disapproved the draft advisory opinion.
(f) Advisory opinion requests and advisory opinions are public records subject to inspection and copying under AS 40.25.100 - 40.25.295, except that, if a person requesting an advisory opinion requests that the person's name be kept confidential, the person's name shall be kept confidential and the commission shall redact the name of the requester from the request and from the advisory opinion before making the request and opinion public.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 13. State Election Campaigns › Sec. 15.13.385. Legal counsel.

(a) The attorney general is legal counsel for the commission. The attorney general shall advise the commission in legal matters arising in the discharge of its duties and represent the commission in actions to which it is a party. If, in the opinion of the commission, the public interest warrants, the commission may request the chief justice of the supreme court to appoint a special prosecutor to represent the commission in a proceeding involving an alleged violation of this chapter and to prosecute that violation.
(b) When the public interest warrants, the commission may employ temporary legal counsel from time to time in matters in which the commission is involved.
2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 15. Elections › Chapter 15. Elections and Ballots › Sec. 15.15.010. General administrative supervision by director.

The director shall provide general administrative supervision over the conduct of state elections, and may adopt regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) necessary for the administration of state elections. The director shall adopt regulations that establish for the broadcasting of notices under AS 15.15.070 the frequency of the broadcasts, appropriate broadcast times, and the locations for the broadcasts. The broadcasting regulations must be reasonably calculated to provide the widest possible exposure of the notices.