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HOUSE BILL NO. 19
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION
BY REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER
Introduced: 1/10/25
Referred: Prefiled
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
"An Act relating to elections." 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 2
* Section 1. AS 15.10.120(c) is amended to read: 3
(c) An election supervisor shall appoint one nominee of the political party of
4
which the governor is a member [OR POLITICAL GROUP WITH THE LARGEST 5
NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS AT THE TIME OF THE PRECEDING 6
GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION] and one nominee of the political party that 7
received [OR POLITICAL GROUP WITH] the second largest number of votes 8
statewide in [REGISTERED VOTERS AT THE TIME OF] the preceding 9
gubernatorial election. If [HOWEVER, THE ELECTION SUPERVISOR MAY 10
APPOINT A QUALIFIED PERSON REGISTERED AS A MEMBER OF A THIRD 11
POLITICAL PARTY OR POLITICAL GROUP OR AS A NONPARTISAN OR 12
UNDECLARED VOTER IF] a party district committee or state party central 13
committee of the party of which the governor is a member [OR GROUP WITH 14
THE LARGEST NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS] or the party that received 15 34-LS0235\A
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[OR GROUP WITH] the second largest number of votes statewide in [REGISTERED 1
VOTERS AT THE TIME OF] the preceding gubernatorial election fails to present the 2
names prescribed by (b) of this section by April 15 of a regular election year or at least 3
60 days before a special [PRIMARY] election, the election supervisor may appoint 4
any qualified individual registered to vote. 5
* Sec. 2. AS 15.10.170 is amended to read: 6
Sec. 15.10.170. Appointment and privileges of watchers. (a) The precinct 7
party committee, where an organized precinct committee exists, or the party district 8
committee where no organized precinct committee exists, or the state party 9
chairperson where neither a precinct nor a party district committee exists, may appoint 10
one or more persons as watchers in each precinct and counting center for any election. 11
Each candidate not representing a political party may appoint one or more watchers 12
for each precinct or counting center in the candidate's respective district or the state for 13
any election. Any organization or organized group that sponsors or opposes an 14
initiative, referendum, or recall may have one or more persons as watchers at the polls 15
and counting centers after first obtaining authorization from the director. A state party 16
chairperson, a precinct party committee, a party district committee, or a candidate not 17
representing a political party or organization or organized group may not have 18
more than one watcher on duty at a time in any precinct or counting center. A watcher 19
must be a United States citizen. The watcher may be present at a position inside the 20
place of voting or counting that affords a full view of all action of the election officials 21
taken from the time the polls are opened until the ballots are finally counted and the 22
results certified by the election board or the data processing review board. The 23
election board or the data processing review board may require each watcher to 24
present written proof showing appointment by the precinct party committee, the party 25
district committee, the organization or organized group, or the candidate the watcher 26
represents that is signed by the chairperson of the precinct party committee, the 27
party district committee, the state party chairperson, the organization or 28
organized group, or the candidate representing no party. 29
(b) In addition to the watchers appointed under (a) of this section, in a primary 30
election, [OR] special [PRIMARY] election [OR SPECIAL ELECTION] under 31 34-LS0235\A
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AS 15.40.140, or special runoff election under AS 15.40.143, each candidate may 1
appoint one watcher in each precinct and counting center. 2
* Sec. 3. AS 15.13.020(b) is amended to read: 3
(b) The governor shall appoint two members of each of the two political 4
parties whose candidate for governor received the highest number of votes in [OR 5
POLITICAL GROUPS WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF REGISTERED 6
VOTERS AT THE TIME OF] the most recent preceding general election at which a 7
governor was elected. The two appointees from each of these two parties [OR 8
GROUPS] shall be chosen from a list of four names to be submitted by the central 9
committee of each party [OR GROUP]. 10
* Sec. 4. AS 15.13.020(d) is amended to read: 11
(d) Members of the commission serve staggered terms of five years, or until a 12
successor is appointed and qualifies. The terms of no two members who are members 13
of the same political party [OR POLITICAL GROUP] may expire in consecutive 14
years. A member may not serve more than one term. However, a person appointed to 15
fill the unexpired term of a predecessor may be appointed to a successive full five-year 16
term. 17
* Sec. 5. AS 15.13.074(c) is amended to read: 18
(c) A person or group may not make a contribution 19
(1) to a candidate or an individual who files with the commission the 20
document necessary to permit that individual to incur certain election-related expenses 21
as authorized by AS 15.13.100 when the office is to be filled at a general election 22
before the date that is 18 months before the general election; 23
(2) to a candidate or an individual who files with the commission the 24
document necessary to permit that individual to incur certain election-related expenses 25
as authorized by AS 15.13.100 for an office that is to be filled at a special election or 26
municipal election before the date that is 18 months before the date of the regular 27
municipal election or that is before the date of the proclamation of the special election 28
at which the candidate or individual seeks election to public office; or 29
(3) to any candidate later than the 45th day 30
(A) after the date of the primary [OR SPECIAL PRIMARY] 31 34-LS0235\A
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election if the candidate was on the ballot and was not nominated [CHOSEN 1
TO APPEAR ON THE GENERAL OR SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT] at 2
the primary [OR SPECIAL PRIMARY] election; or 3
(B) after the date of the general [OR SPECIAL] election, or 4
after the date of a municipal or municipal runoff election. 5
* Sec. 6. AS 15.13.110(f) is amended to read: 6
(f) During the year in which the election is scheduled, each of the following 7
shall file the campaign disclosure reports in the manner and at the times required by 8
this section: 9
(1) a person who, under the regulations adopted by the commission to 10
implement AS 15.13.100, indicates an intention to become a candidate for elective 11
state executive or legislative office; 12
(2) a person who has filed a nominating petition under 13
AS 15.25.141 - 15.25.201 to become a candidate at the general election for elective 14
state executive or legislative office; 15
(3) a person who campaigns as a write-in candidate for elective state 16
executive or legislative office at the general election; and 17
(4) [(3)] a group or nongroup entity that receives contributions or 18
makes expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to a person described in (1) - (3) [(1) 19
OR (2)] of this subsection, except as provided for certain independent expenditures by 20
nongroup entities in AS 15.13.135(a). 21
* Sec. 7. AS 15.13.110(j) is amended to read: 22
(j) Before the primary election, a candidate seeking nomination by petition 23
under AS 15.25.141 - 15.25.201 [AS 15.25.140 - 15.25.200] for the office of 24
governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, or state representative shall file the 25
reports under (a)(1) and (2) of this section. 26
* Sec. 8. AS 15.13.400(4) is amended to read: 27
(4) "contribution" 28
(A) means a purchase, payment, promise or obligation to pay, 29
loan or loan guarantee, deposit or gift of money, goods, or services for which 30
charge is ordinarily made, and includes the payment by a person other than a 31 34-LS0235\A
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candidate or political party, or compensation for the personal services of 1
another person, that is rendered to the candidate or political party, and that is 2
made for the purpose of 3
(i) influencing the nomination or election of a 4
candidate; 5
(ii) influencing a ballot proposition or question; or 6
(iii) supporting or opposing an initiative proposal 7
application filed with the lieutenant governor under AS 15.45.020; 8
(B) does not include 9
(i) services provided without compensation by 10
individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time on behalf of a 11
political party, candidate, or ballot proposition or question; 12
(ii) ordinary hospitality in a home; 13
(iii) two or fewer mass mailings before each election by 14
each political party describing the party's slate of candidates for 15
[MEMBERS OF THE PARTY RUNNING AS CANDIDATES FOR 16
PUBLIC OFFICE IN THAT] election, which may include photographs, 17
biographies, and information about the party's candidates; 18
(iv) the results of a poll limited to issues and not 19
mentioning any candidate, unless the poll was requested by or designed 20
primarily to benefit the candidate; 21
(v) any communication in the form of a newsletter from 22
a legislator to the legislator's constituents, except a communication 23
expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or a 24
newsletter or material in a newsletter that is clearly only for the private 25
benefit of a legislator or a legislative employee; 26
(vi) a fundraising list provided without compensation 27
by one candidate or political party to a candidate or political party; or 28
(vii) an opportunity to participate in a candidate forum 29
provided to a candidate without compensation to the candidate by 30
another person and for which a candidate is not ordinarily charged; 31 34-LS0235\A
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* Sec. 9. AS 15.15.030(5) is amended to read: 1
(5) The names of the candidates and their party designations shall be 2
placed in separate sections on the state general election ballot under the office 3
designation to which they were nominated. The [IF A CANDIDATE IS 4
REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED WITH A POLITICAL PARTY OR POLITICAL 5
GROUP, THE] party affiliation, if any, shall [MAY] be designated after the name of 6
the candidate [, UPON REQUEST OF THE CANDIDATE. IF A CANDIDATE HAS 7
REQUESTED DESIGNATION AS NONPARTISAN OR UNDECLARED, THAT 8
DESIGNATION SHALL BE PLACED AFTER THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE. 9
IF A CANDIDATE IS NOT REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED WITH A POLITICAL 10
PARTY OR POLITICAL GROUP AND HAS NOT REQUESTED TO BE 11
DESIGNATED AS NONPARTISAN OR UNDECLARED, THE CANDIDATE 12
SHALL BE DESIGNATED AS UNDECLARED]. The lieutenant governor and the 13
governor shall be included under the same section. Provision shall be made for voting 14
for write-in and no-party candidates within each section. Paper ballots for the state 15
general election shall be printed on white paper. 16
* Sec. 10. AS 15.15.360(a) is amended to read: 17
(a) The election board shall count ballots according to the following rules: 18
(1) A voter may mark a ballot only by filling in, making "X" marks, 19
diagonal, horizontal, or vertical marks, solid marks, stars, circles, asterisks, checks, or 20
plus signs that are clearly spaced in the oval opposite the name of the candidate, 21
proposition, or question that the voter desires to designate. [IN A GENERAL 22
ELECTION, A VOTER MAY MARK A BALLOT THAT REQUIRES THE VOTER 23
TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES IN ORDER OF RANKED PREFERENCE BY THE 24
USE OF NUMERALS THAT ARE CLEARLY SPACED IN ONE OF THE OVALS 25
OPPOSITE THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE THAT THE VOTER DESIRES TO 26
DESIGNATE.] 27
(2) A failure to properly mark a ballot as to one or more candidates 28
does not itself invalidate the entire ballot. 29
(3) If a voter marks fewer names than there are persons to be 30
elected to the office, a vote shall be counted for each candidate properly marked. 31 34-LS0235\A
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(4) If a voter marks more names than there are persons to be elected to 1
the office, the votes for candidates for that office may not be counted. 2
(5) [(4)] The mark specified in (1) of this subsection shall be counted 3
only if it is substantially inside the oval provided, or touching the oval so as to indicate 4
clearly that the voter intended the particular oval to be designated. 5
(6) [(5)] Improper marks on the ballot may not be counted and do not 6
invalidate marks for candidates properly made. 7
(7) [(6)] An erasure or correction invalidates only that section of the 8
ballot in which it appears. 9
(8) [(7)] A vote marked for the candidate for President or Vice-10
President of the United States is considered and counted as a vote for the election of 11
the presidential electors. 12
[(9) REPEALED 13
(10) REPEALED 14
(11) REPEALED 15
(12) REPEALED] 16
* Sec. 11. AS 15.15.370 is amended to read: 17
Sec. 15.15.370. Completion of ballot count; certificate. When the count of 18
ballots is completed, and in no event later than the day after the election, the election 19
board shall make a certificate in duplicate of the results. The certificate includes the 20
number of votes cast for each candidate, [INCLUDING, FOR A CANDIDATE IN A 21
GENERAL ELECTION, THE NUMBER OF VOTES AT EACH ROUND OF THE 22
RANKED-CHOICE TABULATION PROCESS UNDER AS 15.15.350, THE 23
NUMBER OF VOTES] for and against each proposition, yes or no on each question, 24
and any additional information prescribed by the director. The election board shall, 25
immediately upon completion of the certificate or as soon thereafter as the local mail 26
service permits, send in one sealed package to the director one copy of the certificate 27
and the register. In addition, all ballots properly cast shall be mailed to the director in a 28
separate, sealed package. Both packages, in addition to an address on the outside, shall 29
clearly indicate the precinct from which they come. Each board shall, immediately 30
upon completion of the certification and as soon thereafter as the local mail service 31 34-LS0235\A
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permits, send the duplicate certificate to the respective election supervisor. The 1
director may authorize election boards in precincts in those areas of the state where 2
distance and weather make mail communication unreliable to forward their election 3
results by telephone or radio. The director may authorize the unofficial totaling of 4
votes on a regional basis by election supervisors, tallying the votes as indicated on 5
duplicate certificates. To ensure adequate protection, the director shall prescribe the 6
manner in which the ballots, registers, and all other election records and materials are 7
thereafter preserved, transferred, and destroyed. 8
* Sec. 12. AS 15.15.450 is amended to read: 9
Sec. 15.15.450. Certification of state ballot counting review. Upon 10
completion of the state ballot counting review, the director shall certify the person 11
receiving the largest number of votes for the office for which that person was a 12
candidate as elected to that office [NOMINATED OR ELECTED, AS 13
APPLICABLE,] and shall certify the approval of a justice or judge not rejected by a 14
majority of the voters voting on the question. The director shall issue to the elected 15
candidates and approved justices and judges a certificate of their election or approval. 16
The director shall also certify the results of a proposition and other question except 17
that the lieutenant governor shall certify the results of an initiative, referendum, or 18
constitutional amendment. 19
* Sec. 13. AS 15.20.081(a) is amended to read: 20
(a) A qualified voter may apply in person, by mail, or by facsimile, scanning, 21
or other electronic transmission to the director for an absentee ballot under this 22
section. Another individual may apply for an absentee ballot on behalf of a qualified 23
voter if that individual is designated to act on behalf of the voter in a written general 24
power of attorney or a written special power of attorney that authorizes the other 25
individual to apply for an absentee ballot on behalf of the voter. The application must 26
include the address or, if the application requests delivery of an absentee ballot by 27
electronic transmission, the telephone electronic transmission number, to which the 28
absentee ballot is to be returned, the applicant's full Alaska residence address, and the 29
applicant's signature. However, a person residing outside the United States and 30
applying to vote absentee in federal elections in accordance with AS 15.05.011 need 31 34-LS0235\A
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not include an Alaska residence address in the application. A person may supply to a 1
voter an absentee ballot application form with a political party or group affiliation 2
indicated only if the voter is already registered as affiliated with the political party or 3
group indicated. Only the voter or the individual designated by the voter in a 4
written power of attorney under this subsection may mark the voter's choice of 5
primary ballot on an application. A person supplying an absentee ballot 6
application form may not design or mark the application in a manner that 7
suggests choice of one ballot over another, except that ballot choices may be listed 8
on an application as authorized by the division. The application must be made on a 9
form prescribed or approved by the director. The voter or registration official shall 10
submit the application directly to the division of elections. For purposes of this 11
subsection, "directly to the division of elections" means that an application may not be 12
submitted to any intermediary that could control or delay the submission of the 13
application to the division or gather data on the applicant from the application form. 14
However, nothing in this subsection is intended to prohibit a voter from giving a 15
completed absentee ballot application to a friend, relative, or associate for transfer to 16
the United States Postal Service or a private commercial delivery service for delivery 17
to the division. 18
* Sec. 14. AS 15.20.081(h) is amended to read: 19
(h) Except as provided in AS 15.20.480, an absentee ballot returned by mail 20
from outside the United States or from an overseas voter qualifying under 21
AS 15.05.011 that has been marked and mailed not later than election day may not be 22
counted unless the ballot is received by the election supervisor not later than the close 23
of business on the 24
(1) 10th day following a primary election or special [PRIMARY] 25
election under AS 15.40.140; or 26
(2) 15th day following a general election, special runoff election, or 27
special election, other than a special [PRIMARY] election described in (1) of this 28
subsection. 29
* Sec. 15. AS 15.20.190(a) is amended to read: 30
(a) Thirty days before the date of an election, the election supervisors shall 31 34-LS0235\A
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appoint, in the same manner provided for the appointment of election officials 1
prescribed in AS 15.10, district absentee ballot counting boards and district questioned 2
ballot counting boards, each composed of at least four members. At least one member 3
of each board must be a member of the same political party of which the governor is 4
a member [OR POLITICAL GROUP WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF 5
REGISTERED VOTERS AT THE TIME OF THE PRECEDING 6
GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION], and at least one member of each board must be a 7
member of the political party whose candidate for governor received the second 8
largest number of votes in [OR POLITICAL GROUP WITH THE SECOND 9
LARGEST NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS AT THE TIME OF] the 10
preceding gubernatorial election. The district boards shall assist the election 11
supervisors in counting the absentee and questioned ballots and shall receive the same 12
compensation paid election officials under AS 15.15.380. 13
* Sec. 16. AS 15.20.203(i) is amended to read: 14
(i) The director shall mail the materials described in (h) of this section to the 15
voter not later than 16
(1) 10 days after completion of the review of ballots by the state 17
review board for a primary election or for a special [PRIMARY] election under 18
AS 15.40.140 that is followed by a special runoff election; 19
(2) 60 days after certification of the results of a general election, 20
special runoff election, or special election other than a special [PRIMARY] election 21
described in (1) of this subsection. 22
* Sec. 17. AS 15.20.203(j) is amended to read: 23
(j) The director shall make available through a free access system to each 24
absentee voter a system to check to see whether the voter's ballot was counted and, if 25
not counted, the reason why the ballot was not counted. The director shall make this 26
information available through the free access system not less than 27
(1) 10 days after certification of the results of a primary election, or a 28
special [PRIMARY] election under AS 15.40.140 that is followed by a special 29
runoff election; and 30
(2) 30 days after certification of the results of a general or special 31 34-LS0235\A
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election, other than a special [PRIMARY] election described in (1) of this subsection. 1
* Sec. 18. AS 15.20.207(i) is amended to read: 2
(i) The director shall mail the materials described in (h) of this section to the 3
voter not later than 4
(1) 10 days after completion of the review of ballots by the state 5
review board for a primary election or for a special [PRIMARY] election under 6
AS 15.40.140 that is followed by a special runoff election; 7
(2) 60 days after certification of the results of a general or special 8
election, other than a special [PRIMARY] election described in (1) of this subsection. 9
* Sec. 19. AS 15.20.207(k) is amended to read: 10
(k) The director shall make available through a free access system to each 11
voter voting a questioned ballot a system to check to see whether the voter's ballot was 12
counted and, if not counted, the reason why the ballot was not counted. The director 13
shall make this information available through the free access system not less than 14
(1) 10 days after the certification of the results of a primary election or 15
a special [PRIMARY] election under AS 15.40.140 that is followed by a special 16
runoff election; and 17
(2) 30 days after certification of the results of a general or special 18
election, other than a special [PRIMARY] election described in (1) of this subsection. 19
* Sec. 20. AS 15.20.211(d) is amended to read: 20
(d) The director shall mail the materials described in (c) of this section to the 21
voter not later than 22
(1) 10 days after completion of the review of ballots by the state 23
review board for a primary, election or for a special [PRIMARY] election under 24
AS 15.40.140 that is followed by a special runoff election; 25
(2) 60 days after certification of the results of a general or special 26
election, other than a special [PRIMARY] election described in (1) of this subsection. 27
* Sec. 21. AS 15.20.211(f) is amended to read: 28
(f) The director shall make available through a free access system to each 29
voter whose ballot was subject to partial counting under this section a system to check 30
to see whether the voter's ballot was partially counted and, if not counted, the reason 31 34-LS0235\A
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why the ballot was not counted. The director shall make this information available 1
through the free access system not less than 2
(1) 10 days after certification of the results of a primary election or a 3
special [PRIMARY] election under AS 15.40.140 that is followed by a special 4
runoff election; and 5
(2) 30 days after the certification of the results of a general or special 6
election, other than a special [PRIMARY] election described in (1) of this subsection. 7
* Sec. 22. AS 15.25.010 is amended to read: 8
Sec. 15.25.010. Provision for primary election. Candidates for the elective 9
state executive and state and national legislative offices shall be nominated in a 10
primary election by direct vote of the people in the manner prescribed by this chapter. 11
Unless two or more political parties have jointly requested a combined primary 12
election ballot, the director shall prepare and provide a primary election ballot 13
for each political party. The director shall prepare and provide a combined 14
primary election ballot for two or more parties that have jointly requested a 15
combined primary election ballot. A voter registered as affiliated with a political 16
party may vote that party's ballot, or, a combined primary election ballot if the 17
party's candidates are listed on the combined primary election ballot. A voter 18
registered as nonpartisan or undeclared rather than as affiliated with a 19
particular political party may vote the political party ballot or combined primary 20
election ballot of the voter's choice unless prohibited from doing so under 21
AS 15.25.015. A voter registered as affiliated with a political party may not vote 22
the ballot of a different political party or a combined primary election ballot that 23
only includes candidates of political parties other than the party the voter is 24
registered as affiliated with unless permitted to do so under AS 15.25.015 [THE 25
PRIMARY ELECTION DOES NOT SERVE TO DETERMINE THE NOMINEE OF 26
A POLITICAL PARTY OR POLITICAL GROUP BUT SERVES ONLY TO 27
NARROW THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES WHOSE NAMES WILL APPEAR 28
ON THE BALLOT AT THE GENERAL ELECTION. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN 29
AS 15.25.100(d), ONLY THE FOUR CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVE THE 30
GREATEST NUMBER OF VOTES FOR ANY OFFICE SHALL ADVANCE TO 31 34-LS0235\A
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THE GENERAL ELECTION]. 1
* Sec. 23. AS 15.25 is amended by adding a new section to read: 2
Sec. 15.25.015. Participation in primary election selection of a political 3
party's candidates. (a) Not later than 5:00 p.m., Alaska time, on September 1 of the 4
calendar year before the calendar year in which a primary election is to be held, a 5
political party shall submit a notice in writing to the director stating whether the party 6
bylaws expand or limit who may participate in the primary election for selection of the 7
party's candidates for elective state executive and state and national legislative offices 8
and whether the party requests a combined primary election ballot. If the party 9
requests a combined primary election ballot, the party shall request the combined 10
primary election ballot jointly with the other parties requesting the combined primary 11
election ballot. A copy of the party's bylaws expanding or limiting who may 12
participate in the primary election for selection of the party's candidates, 13
documentation required under (b) of this section, and other information required by 14
the director, must be submitted along with the notice. The notice, bylaws, 15
documentation, and other information required by the director shall be provided by the 16
party's chairperson or another party official designated by the party's bylaws. 17
(b) Once a political party timely submits a notice and bylaws under (a) of this 18
section and the director finds that the party has met the requirements of this chapter 19
and other applicable laws, the director shall permit a voter registered as affiliated with 20
another party to vote the party's ballot or a combined primary election ballot that 21
includes the party's candidates if the voter is permitted by the party's bylaws to 22
participate in the selection of the party's candidates and may not permit a voter 23
registered as nonpartisan or undeclared to vote a party's ballot or a combined primary 24
election ballot that includes the party's candidates if the party's bylaws restrict 25
participation by nonpartisan or undeclared voters in the party's primary; however, for a 26
subsequent primary election, the party shall timely submit another notice, bylaws, 27
documentation, and other information under (a) of this section if the party's bylaws 28
regarding who may participate in the primary election for selection of the party's 29
candidates change. 30
* Sec. 24. AS 15.25.030(a) is amended to read: 31 34-LS0235\A
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(a) A member of a political party [PERSON] who seeks to become a 1
candidate of the party in the primary election [OR A SPECIAL PRIMARY 2
ELECTION] shall execute and file a declaration of candidacy. The declaration shall be 3
executed under oath before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and must 4
state in substance 5
(1) the full name of the candidate; 6
(2) the full mailing address of the candidate; 7
(3) if the candidacy is for the office of state senator or state 8
representative, the house or senate district of which the candidate is a resident; 9
(4) the office for which the candidate seeks nomination; 10
(5) the name of the political party of which the person is a candidate 11
for nomination [OR POLITICAL GROUP WITH WHICH THE CANDIDATE IS 12
REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED, OR WHETHER THE CANDIDATE WOULD 13
PREFER A NONPARTISAN OR UNDECLARED DESIGNATION PLACED 14
AFTER THE CANDIDATE'S NAME ON THE BALLOT]; 15
(6) the full residence address of the candidate, and the date on which 16
residency at that address began; 17
(7) the date of the primary election [OR SPECIAL PRIMARY 18
ELECTION] at which the candidate seeks nomination; 19
(8) the length of residency in the state and in the district of the 20
candidate; 21
(9) that the candidate will meet the specific citizenship requirements of 22
the office for which the person is a candidate; 23
(10) that the candidate is a qualified voter as required by law; 24
(11) that the candidate will meet the specific age requirements of the 25
office for which the person is a candidate; if the candidacy is for the office of state 26
representative, that the candidate will be at least 21 years of age on the first scheduled 27
day of the first regular session of the legislature convened after the election; if the 28
candidacy is for the office of state senator, that the candidate will be at least 25 years 29
of age on the first scheduled day of the first regular session of the legislature convened 30
after the election; if the candidacy is for the office of governor or lieutenant governor, 31 34-LS0235\A
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that the candidate will be at least 30 years of age on the first Monday in December 1
following election or, if the office is to be filled by special election under 2
AS 15.40.230 - 15.40.310, that the candidate will be at least 30 years of age on the 3
date of certification of the results of the special election; or, for any other office, by 4
the time that the candidate, if elected, is sworn into office; 5
(12) that the candidate requests that the candidate's name be placed on 6
the primary [ELECTION OR SPECIAL PRIMARY] election ballot; 7
(13) that the required fee accompanies the declaration; 8
(14) that the person is not a candidate for any other office to be voted 9
on at the primary or general election and that the person is not a candidate for this 10
office under any other declaration of candidacy or nominating petition; and 11
(15) the manner in which the candidate wishes the candidate's name to 12
appear on the ballot [; 13
(16) IF THE CANDIDACY IS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE 14
GOVERNOR, THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT 15
GOVERNOR RUNNING JOINTLY WITH THE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR; 16
AND 17
(17) IF THE CANDIDACY IS FOR THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT 18
GOVERNOR, THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR RUNNING 19
JOINTLY WITH THE CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR]. 20
* Sec. 25. AS 15.25 is amended by adding a new section to read: 21
Sec. 15.25.057. Nomination by party petition where incumbent dies or is 22
disqualified or incapacitated. (a) If an unopposed incumbent candidate for 23
renomination dies, becomes disqualified from holding the office the candidate is 24
seeking, or is certified as being incapacitated between June 1 of the election year and 25
that date which is more than 54 days before the date of the primary election, the 26
candidate's place on the ballot may be filled by party petition. The petition shall state 27
that the political party requests the name of the proposed candidate replace that of the 28
incumbent on the primary election ballot and shall be accompanied by a declaration of 29
candidacy from the person named in the petition. The petition must be received by the 30
director not later than 14 days after the death, disqualification, or certification of 31 34-LS0235\A
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incapacity of the incumbent or 52 days before the primary election date, whichever 1
time is earlier. 2
(b) The method for certifying an incumbent candidate for nomination as being 3
incapacitated, the method for selecting the person who is to be named in the party 4
petition, and the method for placing the name of the person selected on the primary 5
nomination ballot are the same as those prescribed in AS 15.25.111 and 15.25.131 6
relating to filling vacancies of party nominees in a general election. 7
(c) The death, disqualification, or certification of incapacity of the incumbent 8
within 52 days before or on the primary election date does not affect the counting and 9
review of the ballots. If the result of the counting and review discloses that the 10
candidate, if the candidate had lived, would have been nominated, the candidate shall 11
be declared nominated. The vacancy may be filled by party petition as provided in 12
AS 15.25.111 - 15.25.131. 13
* Sec. 26. AS 15.25.060 is repealed and reenacted to read: 14
Sec. 15.25.060. Preparation and distribution of ballots; appropriate ballot. 15
(a) The primary election ballots shall be prepared and distributed by the director in the 16
manner prescribed in this section. Unless two or more political parties have jointly 17
requested a combined primary election ballot, the director shall prepare and provide a 18
primary election ballot for each political party that contains all of the candidates of 19
that party for elective state executive and state and national legislative offices and all 20
of the ballot titles and propositions required to appear on the ballot at the primary 21
election. Upon the joint request of two or more political parties, the director shall 22
prepare and provide a combined primary election ballot for those parties that contains 23
all of the candidates of the parties for elective state executive and state and national 24
legislative offices and all of the ballot titles and propositions required to appear on the 25
ballot at the primary election. The director shall print the ballots on white paper and 26
place the names of all candidates who have properly filed in groups according to 27
offices. The order of the placement of the names for each offic
e shall be as provided 28
for the general election ballot. Blank spaces may not be provided on the ballot for the 29
writing or pasting in of names. The director shall also prepare and print a separate 30
primary election ballot including only the ballot titles and propositions required to 31 34-LS0235\A
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appear on the ballot. 1
(b) A voter may vote only one primary election ballot. A voter may vote a 2
political party ballot only if the voter is registered as affiliated with that party, is 3
allowed to participate in the party primary under the party's bylaws, or is registered as 4
nonpartisan or undeclared rather than as affiliated with a particular political party and 5
the party's bylaws do not restrict participation by nonpartisan or undeclared voters in 6
the party's primary. A voter may vote a combined primary election ballot only if the 7
voter is registered as affiliated with a party appearing on the ballot, is allowed to 8
participate in the party primary under the parties' bylaws, or is registered as 9
nonpartisan or undeclared rather than as affiliated with a particular political party and 10
the parties' bylaws do not restrict participation by nonpartisan or undeclared voters in 11
the parties' primaries. For the purpose of determining which primary election ballot a 12
voter may use, a voter's party affiliation is considered to be the affiliation registered 13
with the director as of the 30th day before the primary election. If a voter changes 14
party affiliation within the 30 days before the primary election, the voter's previous 15
party affiliation shall be used for the determination under this subsection. 16
(c) If a voter is not voting in person and has requested an absentee ballot or 17
special needs ballot but has not indicated a choice of ballot, the director shall provide 18
the voter with the ballot listing the candidates of the political party or group with 19
which the voter is affiliated, as determined under (b) of this section. 20
* Sec. 27. AS 15.25.100 is repealed and reenacted to read: 21
Sec. 15.25.100. Placement of nominees on general election ballot. The 22
director shall place the name of the candidate receiving the highest number of votes 23
for an office by a political party on the general election ballot. 24
* Sec. 28. AS 15.25.105(a) is amended to read: 25
(a) If a candidate does not appear on the primary election ballot or is not 26
successful in advancing to the general election and wishes to be a candidate in the 27
general election, the candidate may file as a write-in candidate. Votes for a write-in 28
candidate may not be counted unless that candidate has filed a letter of intent with the 29
director stating 30
(1) the full name of the candidate; 31 34-LS0235\A
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(2) the full residence address of the candidate and the date on which 1
residency at that address began; 2
(3) the full mailing address of the candidate; 3
(4) the name of the political party or political group of which the 4
candidate is a member, if any [WITH WHICH THE CANDIDATE IS 5
REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED, OR WHETHER THE CANDIDATE WOULD 6
PREFER A NONPARTISAN OR UNDECLARED DESIGNATION]; 7
(5) if the candidate is for the office of state senator or state 8
representative, the house or senate district of which the candidate is a resident; 9
(6) the office that the candidate seeks; 10
(7) the date of the election at which the candidate seeks election; 11
(8) the length of residency in the state and in the house district of the 12
candidate; 13
(9) the name of the candidate as the candidate wishes it to be written 14
on the ballot by the voter; 15
(10) that the candidate meets the specific citizenship requirements of 16
the office for which the person is a candidate; 17
(11) that the candidate will meet the specific age requirements of the 18
office for which the person is a candidate; if the candidacy is for the office of state 19
representative, that the candidate will be at least 21 years of age on the first scheduled 20
day of the first regular session of the legislature convened after the election; if the 21
candidacy is for the office of state senator, that the candidate will be at least 25 years 22
of age on the first scheduled day of the first regular session of the legislature convened 23
after the election; if the candidacy is for the office of governor or lieutenant governor, 24
that the candidate will be at least 30 years of age on the first Monday in December 25
following election or, if the office is to be filled by special election under 26
AS 15.40.230 - 15.40.310, that the candidate will be at least 30 years of age on the 27
date of certification of the results of the special election; or, for any other office, by 28
the time that the candidate, if elected, is sworn into office; 29
(12) that the candidate is a qualified voter as required by law; and 30
(13) that the candidate is not a candidate for any other office to be 31 34-LS0235\A
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voted on at the general election and that the candidate is not a candidate for this office 1
under any other nominating petition or declaration of candidacy. 2
* Sec. 29. AS 15.25.105(b) is amended to read: 3
(b) If a write-in candidate is running for the office of governor, the candidate 4
must file a joint letter of intent together with a candidate for lieutenant governor. Both 5
candidates must be of the same political party or group. 6
* Sec. 30. AS 15.25 is amended by adding new sections to article 1 to read: 7
Sec. 15.25.111. Filling vacancies by party petition. If a candidate of a 8
political party nominated at the primary election dies, withdraws, resigns, becomes 9
disqualified from holding the office for which the candidate is nominated, or is 10
certified as being incapacitated in the manner prescribed by this section after the 11
primary election and 64 days or more before the general election, the vacancy may be 12
filled by party petition. The central committee of any political party or any party 13
district committee may certify as being incapacitated any candidate nominated by their 14
respective party by presenting to the director a sworn statement made by a panel of 15
three licensed physicians, not more than two of whom may be of the same political 16
party, that the candidate is physically or mentally incapacitated to an extent that 17
would, in the panel's judgment, prevent the candidate from active service during the 18
term of office if elected. The director shall place the name of the person nominated by 19
party petition on the general election ballot. The name of a candidate disqualified 20
under this section may not appear on the general election ballot. 21
Sec. 15.25.121. Requirements for party petition. Party petitions for the 22
nomination of candidates shall state in substance that the political party desires and 23
intends to support the named candidate for the named office and requests that the 24
name of the proposed candidate be placed on the general election ballot. The petition 25
may be filed not later than 64 days before the date of the general election. 26
Sec. 15.25.131. Selection of nominees for party petition. The nominees of 27
political parties by party petition may be selected for statewide offices by the state 28
party central committee or in any other manner prescribed by the party bylaws, and the 29
petition for statewide offices shall be signed by the state chairperson of the political 30
party or, in the absence of the state chairperson, by any two members of the state party 31 34-LS0235\A
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central committee. The nominees of political parties by party petition may be selected 1
for district-wide offices by the respective party district committee or in any other 2
manner prescribed by the party bylaws, and the petition for district-wide offices shall 3
be signed by the chairperson of the party district committee, or in the absence of the 4
chairperson, by any two members of the party district committee, or in any other 5
manner prescribed by the party bylaws. The petition may be delivered in person or by 6
mail, facsimile, or other reliable electronic transmission. 7
* Sec. 31. AS 15.25 is amended by adding new sections to article 2 to read: 8
Sec. 15.25.141. Provision for no-party candidate nominations. Candidates 9
not representing a political party are nominated by petition. 10
Sec. 15.25.151. Date of filing petition. A candidate seeking nomination by 11
petition shall submit the information required under AS 15.25.181(a)(1) - (8) and (11) 12
- (17) to the director in the time and manner specified in AS 15.25.040. The full 13
petition with voter signatures shall be filed with the director by actual physical 14
delivery in person at or before 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on the day of the primary 15
election in the year in which a general election is held for the office, or by actual 16
physical delivery to the director by registered or certified mail return receipt requested 17
which is postmarked at or before 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on the day of the primary 18
election in the year in which a general election is held for the office, and received not 19
more than 15 days after that time. If the postmark is illegible, a dated receipt from the 20
post office where dispatched shall be acceptable as evidence of mailing. 21
Sec. 15.25.161. Required number of signatures for statewide office. 22
Petitions for the nomination of candidates for the office of governor, lieutenant 23
governor, United States senator, and United States representative shall be signed by 24
qualified voters of the state equal in number to at least one percent of the number of 25
voters who cast ballots in the preceding general election. 26
Sec. 15.25.171. Required number of signatures for district-wide office. 27
Petitions for the nomination of candidates for the office of state senator or state 28
representative shall be signed by qualified voters of the house or senate district in 29
which the proposed nominee desires to be a candidate equal in number to at least one 30
percent of the number of voters who cast ballots in the propose
d nominee's respective 31 34-LS0235\A
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house or senate district in the preceding general election. A nominating petition may 1
not contain less than 50 signatures for any district. 2
Sec. 15.25.181. Requirements for petition. (a) The petition must state in 3
substance 4
(1) the full name of the candidate; 5
(2) the full residence address of the candidate and the date on which 6
residency at that address began; 7
(3) the full mailing address of the candidate; 8
(4) the name of the political group, if any, supporting the candidate; 9
(5) if the candidacy is for the office of state senator or state 10
representative, the house or senate district of which the candidate is a resident; 11
(6) the office for which the candidate is nominated; 12
(7) the date of the election at which the candidate seeks election; 13
(8) the length of residency in the state and in the district of the 14
candidate; 15
(9) that the subscribers are qualified voters of the state or house or 16
senate district in which the candidate resides; 17
(10) that the subscribers request that the candidate's name be placed on 18
the general election ballot; 19
(11) that the proposed candidate accepts the nomination and will serve 20
if elected with the statement signed by the proposed candidate; 21
(12) the name of the candidate as the candidate wishes it to appear on 22
the ballot; 23
(13) that the candidate is not a candidate for any other office to be 24
voted on at the primary or general election and that the candidate is not a candidate for 25
this office under any other nominating petition or declaration of candidacy; 26
(14) that the candidate meets the specific citizenship requirements of 27
the office for which the person is a candidate; 28
(15) that the candidate will meet the specific age requirements of the 29
office for which the person is a candidate; if the candidacy is for the office of state 30
representative, that the candidate will be at least 21 years of age on the first scheduled 31 34-LS0235\A
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day of the first regular session of the legislature convened after the election; if the 1
candidacy is for the office of state senator, that the candidate will be at least 25 years 2
of age on the first scheduled day of the first regular session of the legislature convened 3
after the election; and if the candidacy is for the office of governor or lieutenant 4
governor, that the candidate will be at least 30 years of age on the first Monday in 5
December following the election or, if the office is to be filled by special election 6
under AS 15.40.230 - 15.40.310, that the candidate will be at least 30 years of age on 7
the date of certification of the results of the special election; or, for any other office, 8
by the time that the candidate, if elected, is sworn into office; 9
(16) that the candidate is a qualified voter; and 10
(17) if the candidacy is for the office of the governor, the name of the 11
candidate for lieutenant governor running jointly with the candidate for governor. 12
(b) A person filing a nominating petition under this section, other than a 13
person subject to AS 24.60 who is filing a petition for a state legislative office, shall 14
simultaneously file with the director a statement of income sources and business 15
interests that complies with the requirements of AS 39.50. A person who is subject to 16
AS 24.60 and is filing a nominating petition for state legislative office shall 17
simultaneously file with the director a disclosure statement that complies with the 18
requirements of AS 24.60.200. 19
(c) An incumbent public official, other than a legislator, who has a current 20
statement of income sources and business interests under AS 39.50 on file with the 21
Alaska Public Offices Commission, or an incumbent legislator who has a current 22
disclosure statement under AS 24.60.200 on file with the Alaska Public Offices 23
Commission, is not required to file a statement of income sources and business 24
interests or a disclosure statement with the nominating petition under (b) of this 25
section. 26
Sec. 15.25.186. Eligibility of candidate. The provisions of AS 15.25.042 and 27
15.25.043 apply to determinations of a candidate's eligibility when a candidate seeks 28
nomination by petition under AS 15.25.141 - 15.25.201. 29
Sec. 15.25.191. Placement of names on general election ballot. The director 30
shall place the names and the political group affiliation of persons who have been 31 34-LS0235\A
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properly nominated by petition on the general election ballot. 1
Sec. 15.25.201. Withdrawal of candidate's name. If a candidate nominated 2
by petition dies or withdraws after the petition has been filed and 64 days or more 3
before the general election, the director may not place the name of the candidate on 4
the general election ballot. 5
* Sec. 32. AS 15.30.010 is amended to read: 6
Sec. 15.30.010. Provision for selection of electors. Electors of President and 7
Vice President of the United States are selected by election at the general election in 8
presidential election years [, IN THE MANNER AND AS DETERMINED BY THE 9
RANKED-CHOICE METHOD OF TABULATING VOTES DESCRIBED IN 10
AS 15.15.350 - 15.15.370]. 11
* Sec. 33. AS 15.40.140 is amended to read: 12
Sec. 15.40.140. Condition of calling [SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION 13
AND] special election. When a vacancy occurs in the office of United States senator 14
or United States representative, the governor shall, by proclamation, call a special 15
[PRIMARY] election under AS 15.40.144(a); however, [TO BE HELD ON A DATE 16
NOT LESS THAN 60, NOR MORE THAN 90, DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE 17
VACANCY OCCURS, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE 18
FIRST TUESDAY THAT IS NOT A STATE HOLIDAY OCCURRING NOT LESS 19
THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION. HOWEVER, IN 20
AN ELECTION YEAR IN WHICH A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE IS NOT 21
REGULARLY ELECTED,] if the vacancy occurs on a date that is [NOT] less than 60 22
days [, NOR MORE THAN 90,] before or is on or after the date of 23
[(1)] the primary election in the general election year during which 24
a candidate to fill the office is regularly elected, the governor may not call a [, 25
THE] special [PRIMARY] election [SHALL BE HELD ON THE DATE OF THE 26
PRIMARY ELECTION WITH THE SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE 27
HELD ON THE DATE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION; OR 28
(2) THE GENERAL ELECTION, THE SPECIAL PRIMARY 29
ELECTION SHALL BE HELD ON THE DATE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION 30
WITH THE SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE FIRST 31 34-LS0235\A
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TUESDAY THAT IS NOT A STATE HOLIDAY OCCURRING NOT LESS THAN 1
60 DAYS AFTER THE SPECIAL PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION]. 2
* Sec. 34. AS 15.40 is amended by adding new sections to read: 3
Sec. 15.40.143. Condition of calling a special runoff election. (a) If no 4
candidate in a special election called under AS 15.40.140 receives over 50 percent of 5
the votes cast for the office, the governor shall, by proclamation, call a special runoff 6
election under AS 15.40.144(b). 7
(b) In a special runoff election called under (a) of this section, the director 8
shall place the names of the candidates receiving the greatest number of votes and the 9
second greatest number of votes in the special election on the special runoff election 10
ballot. 11
Sec. 15.40.144. Time of calling the special election and special runoff 12
election. (a) Except as provided in (c) of this section, if a special election is called 13
under AS 15.40.140, it shall be held on a date not less than 60, nor more than 90, days 14
after the date the vacancy occurs. 15
(b) Except as provided in (c) of this section, a special runoff election under 16
AS 15.40.143 shall be held on the first Tuesday that is not a state holiday occurring 17
not less than 60 days after the special election. 18
(c) In an election year in which a candidate for the vacant office is not 19
regularly elected, and the vacancy occurs on a date that is not less than 60, nor more 20
than 90, days before the date of 21
(1) the primary election, the special election shall be held on the date 22
of the primary election with any subsequent special runoff election under 23
AS 15.40.143 to be held on the date of the general election; or 24
(2) the general election, the special election shall be held on the date of 25
the general election with any subsequent special runoff election under AS 15.40.143 to 26
be held on the first Tuesday that is not a state holiday occurring not less than 60 days 27
after the special and general election. 28
* Sec. 35. AS 15.40 is amended by adding a new section to read: 29
Sec. 15.40.151. Condition for holding special election with primary. If the 30
vacancy occurs on a date not less than 60, nor more than 90, days before the date of 31 34-LS0235\A
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the primary election, the governor shall, by proclamation, call the special election to 1
be held on the date of the primary election. 2
* Sec. 36. AS 15.40.160 is amended to read: 3
Sec. 15.40.160. Proclamation. The governor shall issue the proclamation 4
[CALLING THE SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION AND SPECIAL ELECTION] at 5
least 50 days before the 6
(1) special [PRIMARY] election; and 7
(2) if a special runoff election is required under AS 15.40.143(a), 8
special runoff election. 9
* Sec. 37. AS 15.40.165 is amended to read: 10
Sec. 15.40.165. Term of elected senator. At the special election, or, as 11
provided by AS 15.40.143, at the special runoff election, a United States senator 12
shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. The person elected shall 13
take office on the date the United States Senate meets, convenes, or reconvenes 14
following the certification of the results of the special election or special runoff 15
election by the director. 16
* Sec. 38. AS 15.40.170 is amended to read: 17
Sec. 15.40.170. Term of elected representative. At the special election, or, as 18
provided by AS 15.40.143, at the special runoff election, a United States 19
representative shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. The person 20
elected shall take office on the date the United States house of representatives meets, 21
convenes, or reconvenes following the certification of the results of the special 22
election or special runoff election by the director. 23
* Sec. 39. AS 15.40.190 is amended to read: 24
Sec. 15.40.190. Requirements of petition for no-party candidates. Petitions 25
for the nomination of candidates not representing a political party shall be signed 26
by qualified voters of the state equal in number to at least one percent of the 27
number of voters who cast ballots in the preceding general election and shall 28
[MUST BE EXECUTED UNDER OATH,] state in substance that which is required 29
for nomination petitions by AS 15.25.181 [A DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY 30
UNDER AS 15.25.030, AND INCLUDE THE FEE REQUIRED UNDER 31 34-LS0235\A
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AS 15.25.050(a)]. 1
* Sec. 40. AS 15.40 is amended by adding new sections to read: 2
Sec. 15.40.201. Requirements of party petition. Petitions for the nomination 3
of candidates of political parties shall state in substance that the party desires and 4
intends to support the named candidate for the office of United States senator or 5
United States representative, as appropriate, at the special election and requests that 6
the name of the candidate nominated be placed on the ballot. 7
Sec. 15.40.211. Selection of party nominees. The nominees of political 8
parties may be selected by the state convention or in any other manner prescribed by 9
the party bylaws, and the petition shall be signed by the chairperson and secretary of 10
the state convention, or if the nominees are selected by the party central committee, 11
the petition shall be signed by the chairperson of the central committee or in any other 12
manner prescribed by the party bylaws. 13
* Sec. 41. AS 15.40.220 is amended to read: 14
Sec. 15.40.220. General provisions for conduct of [THE] special 15
[PRIMARY] election and special runoff election. Unless specifically provided 16
otherwise, all provisions regarding the conduct of the [PRIMARY ELECTION AND] 17
general election shall govern the conduct of the special [PRIMARY] election and the 18
special runoff election of the United States senator or United States representative, 19
including provisions concerning voter qualifications; provisions regarding the duties, 20
powers, rights, and obligations of the director, of other election officials, and of 21
municipalities; provision for notification of the election; provision for payment of 22
election expenses; provisions regarding employees being allowed time from work to 23
vote; provisions for the counting, reviewing, and certification of returns; provisions 24
for running as, voting for, and counting ballots for a write-in candidate; 25
provisions for the determination of the votes and of recounts, contests, and appeal; and 26
provision for absentee voting. 27
* Sec. 42. AS 15.40.230 is amended to read: 28
Sec. 15.40.230. Condition and time of calling [SPECIAL PRIMARY 29
ELECTION AND] special election. When a person appointed to succeed to the 30
office of lieutenant governor succeeds to the office of acting governor, the acting 31 34-LS0235\A
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governor shall, by proclamation, call a special [PRIMARY] election to be held on a 1
date not less than 60, nor more than 90, days after the date the vacancy in the office of 2
the governor occurred [AND A SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD 3
ON THE FIRST TUESDAY THAT IS NOT A STATE HOLIDAY OCCURRING 4
NOT LESS THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION]. 5
However, if the vacancy occurs on a date that is less than 60 days before or is on or 6
after the date of the primary election in years in which a governor is regularly elected, 7
the acting governor shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and may not call a 8
special election. 9
* Sec. 43. AS 15.40.240 is amended to read: 10
Sec. 15.40.240. Conditions for holding special [PRIMARY ELECTION 11
AND SPECIAL] election with primary or general election. If the vacancy occurs 12
on a date not less than 60, nor more than 90, days before the date of the primary 13
election in years in which a governor is regularly elected [IN AN ELECTION 14
YEAR IN WHICH A GOVERNOR IS NOT REGULARLY ELECTED, THE 15
ACTING GOVERNOR SHALL, BY PROCLAMATION, CALL THE SPECIAL 16
PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE DATE OF THE PRIMARY 17
ELECTION AND THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE DATE OF 18
THE GENERAL ELECTION,] or [,] if the vacancy occurs on a date not less than 60, 19
nor more than 90, days before the date of the primary election or general election in 20
election years in which a governor is not regularly elected, the acting governor shall, 21
by proclamation, call the special [PRIMARY] election to be held on the date of the 22
primary election or general election [WITH THE SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL 23
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY THAT IS NOT A STATE 24
HOLIDAY OCCURRING NOT LESS THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SPECIAL 25
PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION]. 26
* Sec. 44. AS 15.40.250 is amended to read: 27
Sec. 15.40.250. Proclamation of [SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION AND] 28
special election. The acting governor shall issue the proclamation [CALLING THE 29
SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION AND SPECIAL ELECTION] at least 50 days 30
before the [SPECIAL PRIMARY] election. 31 34-LS0235\A
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* Sec. 45. AS 15.40.280 is amended to read: 1
Sec. 15.40.280. Requirements of petition for no-party candidates. Petitions 2
for the nomination of candidates not representing a political party shall be signed 3
by qualified voters of the state equal in number to at least one percent of the 4
number of voters who cast ballots in the preceding general election, shall include 5
nominees for the office of governor and lieutenant governor, and shall [MUST BE 6
EXECUTED UNDER OATH,] state in s ubstance that which is required for 7
nomination petitions by AS 15.25.181 [A DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY 8
UNDER AS 15.25.030, AND INCLUDE THE FEE REQUIRED UNDER 9
AS 15.25.050(a).] 10
* Sec. 46. AS 15.40 is amended by adding new sections to read: 11
Sec. 15.40.291. Requirements of party petition. Petitions for the nomination 12
of candidates of political parties shall state in substance that the party desires and 13
intends to support the named candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant 14
governor at the special election and requests that the names of the two candidates 15
nominated be placed on the ballot. 16
Sec. 15.40.301. Selection of party nominees. The nominees of political 17
parties may be selected by state convention or in any other manner prescribed by the 18
party bylaws, and the petition shall be signed by the chairperson and secretary of the 19
state convention, or, if the nominees are selected by the party central committee, the 20
petition shall be signed by the state chairperson of the political party or in any other 21
manner prescribed by the party bylaws. 22
* Sec. 47. AS 15.40.310 is amended to read: 23
Sec. 15.40.310. General provisions for conduct of [THE SPECIAL 24
PRIMARY ELECTION AND] special election. Unless specifically provided 25
otherwise, all provisions regarding the conduct of the [PRIMARY AND] general 26
election shall govern the conduct of the special [PRIMARY ELECTION AND 27
SPECIAL] election of the governor and lieutenant governor, including provisions 28
concerning voter qualifications; provisions regarding the duties, powers, rights, and 29
obligations of the director, of other election officials, and of municipalities; provision 30
for notification of the election; provision for payment of election expenses; provisions 31 34-LS0235\A
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regarding employees being allowed time from work to vote; provisions for the 1
counting, reviewing, and certification of returns; provisions for the determination of 2
the votes and of recounts, contests, and appeal; and provision for absentee voting. 3
* Sec. 48. AS 15.40.330 is amended to read: 4
Sec. 15.40.330. Qualification and confirmation of appointee. (a) The 5
appointee shall meet the qualifications of a member of the legislature as prescribed in 6
art. II, sec. 2, Constitution of the State of Alaska, [AND, IF THE PREDECESSOR IN 7
OFFICE WAS A MEMBER OF A POLITICAL PARTY OR POLITICAL GROUP 8
AT THE TIME OF THE VACANCY, (1)] shall be a member of the same political 9
party [OR POLITICAL GROUP] as that which nominated the predecessor in office, 10
[;] and [(2)] shall be subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the 11
legislature who are members of the same political party which nominated [OR 12
POLITICAL GROUP AS] the predecessor in office and of the same house as was the 13
predecessor in office. If the predecessor in office was not nominated by [A 14
MEMBER OF] a political party or [POLITICAL GROUP AT THE TIME OF THE 15
VACANCY, OR,] if no other member of the predecessor's political party [OR 16
POLITICAL GROUP] is a member of the predecessor's house of the legislature, the 17
governor may appoint any qualified person. If the appointee is not a member of a 18
political party [OR POLITICAL GROUP, AS PROVIDED IN (b) OF THIS 19
SECTION], the appointment is not subject to confirmation. If the appointee is a 20
member of a political party [OR POLITICAL GROUP], the appointment is subject to 21
confirmation as provided by [(b) OF] this section for the confirmation of political 22
party [OR POLITICAL GROUP] appointees. 23
(b) A member of a political party [OR POLITICAL GROUP] is a person who 24
supports the political program of a [POLITICAL] party [OR POLITICAL GROUP]. 25
The filing for office of a candidate as an independent or no-party candidate 26
[ABSENCE OF A POLITICAL PARTY OR POLITICAL GROUP DESIGNATION 27
AFTER A CANDIDATE'S NAME ON AN ELECTION BALLOT] does not preclu de 28
a candidate from being a member of a political party [OR POLITICAL GROUP]. 29
Recognition of an independent or no-party [A] candidate as a member of a 30
[POLITICAL] party [OR POLITICAL GROUP] caucus of members of the legislature 31 34-LS0235\A
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at the legislative session following the election of the independent or no-party 1
candidate is recognition of that person's [POLITICAL] party [OR POLITICAL 2
GROUP] membership at the time filings were made by party candidates for the 3
preceding general election [FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONFIRMATION UNDER 4
THIS SECTION]. 5
* Sec. 49. AS 15.40.380 is amended to read: 6
Sec. 15.40.380. Conditions for part-term senate appointment and special 7
election. If the vacancy is for an unexpired senate term of more than two years and 8
five full calendar months, the governor shall call a special [PRIMARY ELECTION 9
AND A SPECIAL] election by proclamation and the appointment shall expire on the 10
date the state senate first convenes or reconvenes following the certification of the 11
results of the special election by the director. 12
* Sec. 50. AS 15.40.390 is amended to read: 13
Sec. 15.40.390. Date of special [PRIMARY ELECTION AND SPECIAL] 14
election. The special [PRIMARY] election to fill a vacancy in the state senate shall be 15
held on the date of the first general [PRIMARY] election held more than three full 16
calendar months [60 DAYS] after the senate vacancy occurs [, AND THE SPECIAL 17
ELECTION SHALL BE HELD ON THE DATE OF THE FIRST GENERAL 18
ELECTION THEREAFTER]. 19
* Sec. 51. AS 15.40.400 is amended to read: 20
Sec. 15.40.400. Proclamation of [SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION AND] 21
special election. The governor shall issue the proclamation calling the [SPECIAL 22
PRIMARY ELECTION AND] special election at least 50 days before the [SPECIAL 23
PRIMARY] election. 24
* Sec. 52. AS 15.40.440 is amended to read: 25
Sec. 15.40.440. Requirements of petition for no-party candidates. Petitions 26
for the nomination of candidates not representing a political party shall be signed 27
by qualified voters equal in number to at least one percent of the number of 28
voters who cast ballots in the proposed nominee's respective house or senate 29
district in the preceding general election. A nominating petition may not contain 30
less than 50 signatures for any district and must [BE EXECUTED UNDER 31 34-LS0235\A
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OATH,] state in substance that which is required in petitions for nomination by 1
AS 15.25.181 [A DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY UNDER AS 15.25.030, AND 2
INCLUDE THE FEE REQUIRED UNDER AS 15.25.050(a)]. 3
* Sec. 53. AS 15.40 is amended by adding new sections to read: 4
Sec. 15.40.451. Requirements of petition by political party. Petitions for the 5
nomination of candidates of political parties shall state in substance that the party 6
desires and intends to support the named candidate for the office of state senator at the 7
special election and requests that the name of the candidate be placed on the ballot. 8
Sec. 15.40.461. Selection of political party nominees. The nominees of 9
political parties may be selected by the respective party district committee or by any 10
other manner as provided by the party bylaws, and the petition shall be signed by the 11
chairperson of the party district committee or by any other party official designated by 12
the party bylaws. 13
* Sec. 54. AS 15.40.470 is amended to read: 14
Sec. 15.40.470. General provision for conduct of [THE SPECIAL 15
PRIMARY ELECTION AND] special election. Unless specifically provided 16
otherwise, all provisions regarding the conduct of the [PRIMARY ELECTION AND] 17
general election shall govern the conduct of the special [PRIMARY ELECTION AND 18
SPECIAL] election of state senators, including provisions concerning voter 19
qualifications; provisions regarding the duties, powers, rights, and obligations of the 20
director, of other election officials, and of municipalities; provision for notification of 21
the election; provision for payment of election expenses; provisions regarding 22
employees being allowed time from work to vote; provisions for the counting, 23
reviewing, and certification of returns; provisions for the determination of the votes 24
and of recounts, contests, and appeal; and provision for absentee voting. 25
* Sec. 55. AS 15.45.190 is amended to read: 26
Sec. 15.45.190. Placing proposition on ballot. The lieutenant governor shall 27
direct the director to place the ballot title and proposition on the election ballot of the 28
first statewide general, special, special runoff [PRIMARY], or primary election that is 29
held after 30
(1) the petition has been filed; 31 34-LS0235\A
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(2) a legislative session has convened and adjourned; and 1
(3) a period of 120 days has expired since the adjournment of the 2
legislative session. 3
* Sec. 56. AS 15.45.420 is amended to read: 4
Sec. 15.45.420. Placing proposition on ballot. The lieutenant governor shall 5
direct the director to place the ballot title and proposition on the election ballot for the 6
first statewide general, special, special runoff [PRIMARY], or primary election held 7
more than 180 days after adjournment of the legislative session at which the act was 8
passed. 9
* Sec. 57. AS 15.58.010 is amended to read: 10
Sec. 15.58.010. Election pamphlet. Before each state general election, and 11
before each state primary, special, or special runoff [PRIMARY] election at which a 12
ballot proposition is scheduled to appear on the ballot, the lieutenant governor shall 13
prepare, publish, and mail at least one election pamphlet to each household identified 14
from the official registration list. The pamphlet shall be prepared on a regional basis as 15
determined by the lieutenant governor. 16
* Sec. 58. AS 15.58.020(b) is amended to read: 17
(b) Each primary, special, or special runoff [PRIMARY] election pamphlet 18
shall contain only the information specified in (a)(6) and (a)(9) of this section for each 19
ballot measure scheduled to appear on the primary, special, or special runoff 20
[PRIMARY] election ballot. 21
* Sec. 59. AS 15.58.030(b) is amended to read: 22
(b) Not later than July 22 of a year in which a state general election will be 23
held, an individual who becomes a candidate for the office of United States senator, 24
United States representative, governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, or state 25
representative under AS 15.25.030 or 15.25.181 may file with the lieutenant governor 26
a photograph and a statement advocating the candidacy. An individual who becomes 27
a candidate for the office of United States senator, United States representative, 28
governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, or state representative by party 29
petition filed under AS 15.25.111 may file with the lieutenant governor a 30
photograph and a statement advocating the candidacy within 10 days of 31 34-LS0235\A
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becoming a candidate. 1
* Sec. 60. AS 15.80.010(9) is amended to read: 2
(9) "federal election" means a general, special, special runoff 3
[PRIMARY], or primary election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting, 4
nominating, or electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice-President, 5
presidential elector, United States senator, or United States representative; 6
* Sec. 61. AS 39.50.020(b) is amended to read: 7
(b) A public official or former public official other than an elected or 8
appointed municipal officer shall file the statement with the Alaska Public Offices 9
Commission. Candidates for the office of governor and lieutenant governor and, if the 10
candidate is not subject to AS 24.60, the legislature shall file the statement under 11
AS 15.25.030 or 15.25.181. Municipal officers, former municipal officers, and 12
candidates for elective municipal office shall file with the municipal clerk or other 13
municipal official designated to receive their filing for office. All statements required 14
to be filed under this chapter are public records. 15
* Sec. 62. AS 15.15.025, 15.15.030(14), 15.15.030(15), 15.15.030(16), 15.15.030(17), 16
15.15.060(e), 15.15.350(c), 15.15.350(d), 15.15.350(e), 15.15.350(f), 15.15.350(g); 17
AS 15.58.020(a)(13), 15.58.020(c); AS 15.80.008(a)(2), and 15.80.010(34) are repealed. 18