How SB 19 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill updates absentee voting procedures, enhances ballot tracking, and adds a signature verification process.

• AS 15.20.030

  return [AN] envelope → return envelope

  It removes the specific article 'AN' before 'envelope' for grammatical consistency.

• AS 15.20.081

  An absentee ballot application must include an option for a qualified voter to choose to receive absentee ballots by mail for state elections.

  It requires absentee ballot applications to offer an option for voters to receive ballots by mail.

• AS 15.20.203(a)

  The district absentee ballot counting board shall examine each absentee ballot envelope and shall determine whether the absentee voter is qualified to vote at the election,

  It clarifies the responsibilities of the absentee ballot counting board.

• AS 15.20.203(b)

  The ballot, if postmarked, is not postmarked on or before the date of the election; [OR]

  It removes the provision about postmarking ballots prior to the election date from the list of reasons a ballot may not be counted.

• AS 15.20.203(b)

  [(ii) CURRENT UTILITY BILL, BANK STATEMENT, PAYCHECK, GOVERNMENT CHECK, OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT; AN ITEM DESCRIBED IN THIS SUB-SUBPARAGRAPH MUST SHOW THE NAME AND CURRENT ADDRESS OF THE VOTER]

  It removes the requirement for providing certain forms of identification that demonstrate the voter's current address.

• AS 15.20.203

  The district absentee ballot counting board shall determine whether a voter's signature on the certificate is consistent with the voter's signature in voter registration records under (a) of this section using a signature verification process that includes signature comparison software according to a procedure provided in regulations adopted by the director.

  It requires signature verification for absentee ballots using signature comparison software.

• AS 15.20

  Sec. 15.20.221. Ballot tracking system. (a) The director shall establish a free online system, available through the division's Internet website, through which a voter may confirm that the voter's ballot has been sent by the division;

  It mandates the creation of an online ballot tracking system for voters.

• AS 15.20.222

  Procedure for curing uncounted ballot. (a) If a voter returns a ballot and the voter does not have a signature stored in voter registration records,

  It establishes procedures for voters to cure uncounted ballots due to signature issues.

• AS 15.56.035(a)

  A person commits the crime of unlawful interference with voting in the second degree if the person has an official ballot in possession outside of the voting room unless the person is an election official or other person authorized by law or local ordinance, or by the director or chief municipal elections official in a local election;

  It clarifies the provisions that constitute unlawful interference with voting.