This bill amends various sections of Alaska's election laws to enhance voter registration, residency requirements, and election administration. Notable changes include the removal of the requirement for voters to register before the election, which allows for more flexible registration options. The bill clarifies residency rules, ensuring that individuals do not lose their residence status when temporarily leaving for reasons such as military service or education. It also introduces provisions for voters registering within 30 days of an election to vote using absentee in-person, special needs, or questioned ballots, even if they are not on the official registration list. Additionally, the bill establishes an electronic process for voters to cancel their registration and mandates that election materials be provided in applicants' preferred languages.

Further amendments focus on absentee voting and ballot counting procedures, including the establishment of a single commission office in municipalities with multiple house districts and the requirement for polling places to provide language assistance. The bill adjusts deadlines for absentee ballot requests, introduces a postage-paid return envelope for absentee ballots, and clarifies the counting process, allowing ballots to be reviewed starting ten days before the election. It also outlines a new procedure for curing uncounted ballots due to signature issues and enhances cybersecurity measures for voter registration records. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and includes various insertions and deletions to modernize the language of the law.

Statutes affected:
HB0043A, AM HB 43, introduced 01/17/2025: 15.05.010, 15.07.060, 15.07.070, 15.07.050, 15.07.090, 15.07.130, 15.20.045, 15.20.800, 15.15.370, 15.15.350, 15.20.030, 15.20.010, 15.20.220, 15.20.061, 15.20.072, 15.20.050, 15.20.064, 15.20.081, 09.63.020, 15.20.201, 15.20.203, 15.15.225, 15.07.055, 15.20.222, 15.56.030, 15.80.010, 15.58.030, 29.20.380, 29.26.050
HB0043B, AM CSHB 43(STA), introduced 05/14/2025: 15.05.010, 15.05.020, 15.15.210, 15.20.215, 15.07.060, 15.07.070, 15.07.050, 15.07.090, 15.07.130, 15.07.120, 15.20.045, 15.20.800, 15.10.105, 15.13.020, 15.15.060, 15.15.370, 15.15.350, 15.15.380, 15.15.420, 15.15.430, 15.20.030, 15.20.010, 15.20.220, 15.20.061, 15.20.072, 15.20.050, 15.20.064, 15.20.081, 09.63.020, 15.20.480, U.S.C, 15.20.201, 15.20.203, 15.15.225, 15.07.055, 15.20.222, 15.56.030, 15.80.010, 15.58.030, 19.25.105, 24.45.091, 29.20.380, 29.26.050, 39.50.020, 15.25.030