Opinion ID: 1364196
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: change of names married women

Text: A number of women voters [31] attempted to vote under their married names when they had been previously registered under their maiden names. Their votes were rejected. Appellees contend that AS 15.07.070 imposes a duty upon the lieutenant governor to promulgate rules and regulations to enable voters to register, and that he did not fulfill his duty with regard to informing recently married women of the necessity of notifying the lieutenant governor of their change of names. A person who changes his or her name will invariably need to notify various agencies in order to modify documents. There appears to be no affirmative duty on the part of the lieutenant governor or other election officials to inquire as to whether such a change of name has occurred. A voter whose name is changed by marriage may vote under her previous name or, if she desires to vote under her married name, she must notify the lieutenant governor at least 30 days before an election so that her registration may be amended to reflect the change. AS 15.07.090(a). This information was set forth in the Alaska Voter Handbook. The failure of the lieutenant governor to further notify recently married women of the necessity of advising him of their change of names under AS 15.07.090(a) does not constitute malconduct.