The bill amends various sections of Alaska's election laws to refine the appointment process for election supervisors and watchers, as well as to clarify candidate nominations and ballot counting procedures. It specifies that election supervisors will appoint nominees from the political party of the sitting governor and the party that received the second highest number of votes in the previous gubernatorial election, rather than from the largest registered voter groups. If these parties do not present nominees by a specified deadline, the election supervisor can appoint any qualified individual registered to vote. The bill also allows candidates not representing a political party to appoint watchers and introduces new rules for absentee ballot applications, including restrictions on their presentation.

Additionally, the bill updates the composition and operation of absentee and questioned ballot counting boards, ensuring representation from the political parties of the governor and the second-place gubernatorial candidate. It establishes a system for voters to check the status of their absentee or questioned ballots and outlines the process for political parties to determine participation in their primaries. Key changes include the requirement for political parties to submit bylaws regarding primary participation, the ability for voters registered with other parties to vote in a party's primary if permitted by that party's bylaws, and a new process for filling vacancies on primary ballots. The bill aims to streamline election processes and enhance the integrity of Alaska's electoral system.

Statutes affected:
HB0019A, AM HB 19, introduced 01/10/2025: 15.10.120, 15.10.170, 15.40.140, 15.40.143, 15.13.020, 15.13.074, 15.13.100, 15.13.110, 15.25.141, 15.25.201, 15.13.135, 15.25.140, 15.25.200, 15.13.400, 15.45.020, 15.15.030, 15.15.360, 15.15.370, 15.15.350, 15.15.450, 15.20.081, 15.05.011, 15.20.480, 15.20.190, 15.15.380, 15.20.203, 15.20.207, 15.20.211, 15.25.010, 15.25.015, 15.25.100, 15.25.030, 15.40.230, 15.40.310, 15.25.111, 15.25.131, 15.25.060, 15.25.105, 15.25.181, 15.25.040, 15.25.161, 15.25.171, 24.60.200, 15.25.186, 15.25.042, 15.25.043, 15.25.191, 15.30.010, 15.40.144, 15.40.160, 15.40.165, 15.40.170, 15.40.190, 15.25.050, 15.40.220, 15.40.240, 15.40.250, 15.40.280, 15.40.330, 15.40.380, 15.40.390, 15.40.400, 15.40.440, 15.40.470, 15.45.190, 15.45.420, 15.58.010, 15.58.020, 15.58.030, 15.80.010, 39.50.020