The bill amends Alaska's election laws with a focus on regional educational attendance area elections and voter registration processes. It establishes staggered four-year terms for regional school board members, replacing the previous three-year terms, and changes the election schedule to biennial occurrences in odd-numbered years. The bill also allows for adjustments in the number of board members through voter ballot initiatives and clarifies the process for determining voter residence and registration. Additionally, it streamlines voter registration methods, permitting registration via facsimile or electronic transmission, and enhances absentee voting procedures to ensure ballots returned by election day are counted.

Moreover, the bill introduces provisions for the confidentiality of information regarding permanent fund dividend applications, allowing the director to conduct elections by mail for smaller communities and requiring election pamphlets to be published regionally by the lieutenant governor. It clarifies that information on permanent fund dividend applications, excluding the applicant's name, is confidential and can only be released under specific circumstances. The bill also repeals several existing provisions related to election processes and includes a transition clause to protect the terms of current regional school board members until they expire. Overall, the bill aims to improve the efficiency and accessibility of the electoral process while enhancing the protection of personal information.

Statutes affected:
SB0070A, AM SB 70, introduced 01/24/2025: 14.08.041, 14.08.061, 14.08.071, 29.20.300, 29.26.060, 14.08.115, 15.05.020, 15.05.010, 15.07.050, 43.23.015, 15.07.060, 15.07.055, 15.07.070, 15.07.130, 15.07.120, 43.23.005, U.S.C, 15.15.060, 15.15.380, 15.20.030, 15.20.064, 15.20.072, 15.20.081, 15.20.480, 15.20.170, 15.20.201, 15.20.220, 15.15.360, 15.20.800, 15.58.010, 15.58.020, 43.23.110, 43.23.101