The bill amends Alaska's election laws to improve voter registration, clarify residency requirements, and enhance access to voting, especially in rural areas. Notable changes include the elimination of the pre-election voter registration requirement, allowing for more flexible registration options. It introduces provisions for voters to select their preferred language for election materials, mandates that these materials be provided in that language when feasible, and establishes a process for voters to cancel their registration electronically or in person. Additionally, the bill requires the director of elections to employ rural community liaisons to facilitate voting access in remote regions and clarifies residency rules, allowing voters who register within 30 days of an election to vote using various ballot types.

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 ensuring accessibility of election materials to candidates. The bill mandates language assistance at polling places as required by federal law and introduces provisions for questioning voters who have requested absentee ballots. It also adjusts terminology related to polling place security, introduces a postage-paid return envelope for absentee ballots, and specifies that absentee ballots must be received by the close of business on the 10th day after the election. The bill outlines a process for curing uncounted ballots and enhances the review process for absentee ballots, aiming to streamline election processes and improve voter access and ballot security, with an effective date set for January 1, 2026.

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