SB64 — ELECTIONS

(6) A person loses residence in this state if the person establishes residence in another state or votes in another state's election, either in person or by absentee ballot, and will not be eligible to vote in this state until again qualifying SB 64 -2- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I under AS 15.05.010.

(7) The term of residence is computed by including the day on which the person's residence begins and excluding the day of election.

(8) The address of a voter as it appears on the official voter registration record is presumptive evidence of the person's voting residence.

This presumption is negated [ONLY] if the voter notifies the director in writing of a change of voting residence.

When a voter's qualification is questioned under AS 15.15.210 or challenged in accordance with the procedure adopted in regulation under AS 15.20.215, the presumption may be rebutted by providing evidence to the division that the voter has established residence in another state or place in this state or evidence that the voter is not a resident under (2) - (7) of this section.

AS 15.07.04015.07.070 is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(b)(n) AThe persondivision whomay isuse atinformation leastprovided 16by yearsthe Department of ageRevenue under AS 43.23.015 and under43.23.101 18only yearsto ofregister agea mayvoter preregisterand toconduct vote.voter roll maintenance.

ToExcept preregister,as aprovided personin shall supply the information required under AS 15.07.060(a)15.07.195(c), to a registration official or a voter registration agency, except that, instead of a declaration that the applicantdivision willmay benot 18disclose yearsconfidential ofinformation ageobtained orfrom older within 90 days after the dateDepartment of registrationRevenue. under AS 15.07.060(a)(6), the person shall supply a declaration that the person will be 18 years of age or older within two years after the date of preregistration.

(c)(o) The divisiondivision, in cooperation with the Department of Revenue, shall registersubmit aan personannual preregisteredreport to votethe undergovernor (b)and to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of thisthe sectionhouse 90of daysrepresentatives on or before the personfirst reachesday 18of yearseach regular session of agethe legislature and forwardnotify to the personlegislature athat registrationthe card.report is available.

The report shall detail (1) the number of permanent fund dividend applicant records shared with the division during the previous year;

(2) the effect that shared permanent fund dividend applications had on voter roll maintenance under (n) of this section and on election integrity;

and (3) security measures taken to protect voter information.

(p) In this section, "voter roll maintenance" includes confirming the residency of a registered voter, identifying duplicate registrations, detecting voters who have moved, and detecting voters who are ineligible to vote under AS 15.05.

AS 15.07.060(a) is amended to read:

(a) Each applicant who requests registration or reregistration shall supply the following information:

(1) the applicant's name and sex;

(2) if issued, the applicant's State of Alaska driver's license number or State of Alaska identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's social security number;

(3) the applicant's date of birth;

(4) the applicant's Alaska residence address;

SB0064A -3- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I (5) a statement of whether the applicant has previously been registered to vote in another jurisdiction, and, if so, the jurisdiction and the address of the previous registration;

(6) a declaration that the applicant will be 18 years of age or older within 90 days after the date of registration;

(7) a declaration that the applicant is a citizen of the United States;

(8) the date of application;

(9) the applicant's signature, [OR] mark, or electronic signature;

(10) any former name under which the applicant was registered to vote in the state;

(11) an attestation that the information provided by the applicant in (1) - (10) of this subsection is true;

and (12) a certification that the applicant understands that a false statement on the application may make the applicant subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor under this title or AS 11.

* Sec.

5.

AS 15.07.060 is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(g) The division shall provide an applicant the opportunity to designate, from among the written languages in which the division is required to print election materials under 52 U.S.C.

10503, as amended, the language in which the applicant prefers to receive ballots and other election materials printed for an election.

The division shall provide the applicant with ballots and election materials in the applicant's designated language unless the applicant designates a language in which the division is not required to print ballots and election materials.

The division shall notify an applicant when ballots and election materials printed in the designated language are not available and allow the applicant another opportunity to designate a language under this subsection.

The division shall provide an applicant with ballots and election materials in the designated language until the earlier of the date that (1) the applicant's voter registration is inactivated or cancelled;

or (2) the division is no longer required under 52 U.S.C.

10503, as amended, to print ballots and election materials in the designated language.

(h) An applicant who requests registration within 30 days before an election SB 64 -4- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I shall supply a declaration stating whether the applicant established residency at least 30 days before the date of the election in (1) the state;

(2) the house district in which the applicant seeks to vote at the election.

* Sec.

6.

AS 15.07.070(b) is amended to read:

(b) To register by mail or by facsimile, scanning, or other electronic transmission approved by the director under AS 15.07.050, the director, the area election supervisor, or a voter registration agency shall furnish, at no cost to the voter, forms prepared by the director on which the registration information required under AS 15.07.060 shall be inserted by the voter, by a person on behalf of the voter if that person is designated to act on behalf of the voter in a power of attorney, or by a person on behalf of the voter if the voter is physically incapacitated.

The director shall accept the electronic signature of the voter or a person acting on behalf of the voter.

The director may require proof of identification of the applicant as required by regulations adopted by the director under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act).

Upon receipt and approval of the completed registration forms, the director or the election supervisor shall forward to the voter an acknowledgment, and the voter's name shall immediately be placed on the master register.

If the registration is denied, the voter shall immediately be informed in writing that registration was denied and the reason for denial.

When identifying information has been provided by the voter as required by this chapter, the election supervisor shall forward to the voter a registration card.

* Sec.

7.

AS 15.07.070(c) is amended to read:

(c) The names of persons submitting completed registration forms by mail that are postmarked at least 30 days before the next election, or submitting completed registration forms by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 that are received at least 30 days before the next election, shall be placed on the official registration list for that election.

If a registration form received by mail less than 30 days before an election does not have a legible and dated postmark, the name of the person submitting the form shall be placed on the official SB0064A -5- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I registration list for that election if the form was signed and dated by the person at least 30 days before the election and if the form is received by the director or election supervisor at least 25 days before the election.

The name of a person submitting a completed registration form by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission that does not meet the applicable requirements of this subsection may not be placed on the official registration list for that election but shall be placed on the master register after that election.

A person submitting a completed registration form that does not meet the requirements of this subsection for placement on the master register for the next election but who complies with AS 15.07.060(g) may vote an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot at that election.

* Sec.

8.

AS 15.07.070(d) is amended to read:

(d) Qualified voters may register in person before a registration official or through a voter registration agency at any time throughout the year.

A qualified voter who registers [, EXCEPT THAT A PERSON REGISTERING] within 30 days before or on the day of an election may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot [PRECEDING AN ELECTION IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE] at that election.

The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the election.

Upon receipt and approval of the registration forms, the director or the election supervisor shall forward to the voter an acknowledgment in the form of a registration card, and the voter's name shall immediately be placed on the master register.

Names of persons registering 30 or more days before an election shall be placed on the official registration list for that election.

* Sec.

9.

AS 15.07.090(b) is amended to read:

(b) A voter shall reregister if the voter's registration is cancelled as provided in AS 15.07.130.

A person reregistering under this subsection may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot until [THE REREGISTRATION IS EFFECTIVE FOR] the next election that occurs at least 30 days after the date of reregistration.

The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot of a qualified voter who reregisters within 30 days before or on SB 64 -6- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the election.

* Sec.

10.

AS 15.07.090(c) is amended to read:

(c) The director shall transfer the registration of a voter from one precinct to another within a house district when requested by the voter.

If a [THE] request is [SHALL BE] made within 30 [OR MORE] days before [THE] election day or on election day, a person transferring registration to a new precinct may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot.

The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot of a qualified voter who transfers registration within 30 days before or on the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the election.

The director shall transfer the registration of a voter from one house district to another when requested by the voter.

The voter must reside in the new house district for at least 30 days in order to vote a ballot for that district.

* Sec.

11.

AS 15.07.090(d) is amended to read:

(d) A person who claims to be a registered voter, but for whom no evidence of registration in the precinct can be found, may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot.

The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the election [SHALL BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE SAME MANNER AS THAT OF A QUESTIONED VOTER AND THE BALLOT SHALL BE TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER.

THE BALLOT SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO BE A "QUESTIONED BALLOT" AND SHALL BE SO DESIGNATED.

THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S REPRESENTATIVE SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE VOTER IS REGISTERED IN THE HOUSE DISTRICT BEFORE COUNTING THE BALLOT.

A VOTER WHO HAS FAILED TO OBTAIN A TRANSFER AS PROVIDED IN (c) OF THIS SECTION SHALL VOTE A "QUESTIONED BALLOT" IN THE PRECINCT IN WHICH THE VOTER RESIDES].

* Sec.

12.

SB0064AEnrolled -7- SB 64 New-2- Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I (a) Periodically, at times of the director's choosing, but not [NO] less frequently than in January of each calendar year, the director shall examine the master register maintained under AS 15.07.120 and shall send, by forwardable [NONFORWARDABLE] mail to the voter's registration mailing address, and to the voter's electronic mail address, if available, a notice requesting address confirmation or correction.

OR (3)] who has not voted or appeared to vote in the two28 generalmonths elections[TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS] immediately preceding the examination of the register;

or (3) who the division has learned,learned has, after registering to vote in this state and during the period28 encompassingmonths the two general elections immediately preceding the examination of the register, has (A) registered to vote in another state;

(F) obtainedreceived a residenthomestead hunting or fishingresidential licenseproperty tax exemption in another state;

or (G) paidreceived thea statebenefit residentavailable tuitiononly rateto forresidents aof public university in another state;state.

(H) received a homestead or residential property tax exemption in another state;

or (I) received a benefit available only to residents of another state.

13.5.

SB 64 -8- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I (b) If a registered voter does [HAS] not respond to a notice sent under (a) of this section within 45 days after the date the notice is sent, the director shall inactivate the voter's registration [, WITHIN THE PRECEDING FOUR CALENDAR YEARS, CONTACTED THE DIVISION AND HAS NEITHER -3- Enrolled SB 64 VOTED NOR APPEARED TO VOTE IN A LOCAL, REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD, PRIMARY, SPECIAL, OR GENERAL ELECTION DURING THE LAST FOUR CALENDAR YEARS AND A NOTICE SENT TO THE VOTER UNDER (a) OF THIS SECTION WAS RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE, THE VOTER SHALL BE ADVISED BY A NOTICE SENT BY FORWARDABLE MAIL TO THE VOTER'S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS THAT REGISTRATION WILL BE INACTIVATED UNLESS THE VOTER RESPONDS TO THE NOTICE NO LATER THAN 45 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE SENT UNDER THIS SECTION].

14.6.

(3) that the voter's registration will be cancelled if the voter does not contact the division during, or vote or appear to vote in an election held during, the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the last day of the fourth34th calendarmonth year[FOURTH CALENDAR YEAR] that occurs after the date of notice;

and (4) how the voter can continue to be eligible to vote if the voter has SB0064A -9- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I changed residence.

15.7.

AS 15.0715.07.130(f) is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec.(f) For the purpose of this section, a voter "contacts" the division if the voter Enrolled SB 64 -4- notifies the division of a change of address, responds to a notice sent under this section, signs a petition for a ballot measure, requests a new voter registration card, or otherwise communicates with the division other than to vote or register to vote.

15.07.133.An individual does not "contact" the division by applying for a permanent fund dividend, unless the application for a permanent fund dividend is the voter's initial registration.

Process to cancel registration.

The director shall develop a process to allow a voter to cancel the voter's registration electronically or in person before an election official.

The director shall prominently display instructions for a voter to cancel the voter's registration at each polling place.

16.8.

AS 15.07.130 is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(g) The division shall adopt regulations to review voter registration records and update the master register.

The regulations must include reviews for deceased voters, persons convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, persons not qualified to vote under AS 15.05, persons registered to vote in another state, whether the number of registered voters on the master register exceeds the number of eligible voters in the state, and voter registration information data breaches.

In conducting these reviews, the division shall, to the extent possible, gather and examine available data from other states and information from the United States Postal Service forwarding databases, one or more systems for verifying citizenship, motor vehicle records, Department of Corrections records, property and sales tax records, United States Social Security Administration databases, jury duty records, National Change of Address records, and similar records.

The division shall also review evidence that a person has undertaken the following activities in another state:

(1) registered to vote;

(2) obtained a driver's license;

(3) registered a vehicle;

(4) received public assistance;

(5) served on a jury;

or (6) received a benefit available only to residents of another state.

(h) In performing its review under (g) of this section, the division may not transmit information made confidential under AS 15.07.195 to a person, nongovernmental organization, or government agency outside the division unless (1) the information is encrypted;

and (2) the person, nongovernmental organization, or government agency -5- Enrolled SB 64 receiving the information (A) uses the information only to assist the division in carrying out (g) of this section;

(B) agrees that the person, nongovernmental organization, or government agency will not retain the information after assisting the division;

and (C) agrees that the person, nongovernmental organization, or government agency will not transmit the information to another person, nongovernmental organization, government agency, or other entity.

(i) The division shall, in consultation with an external, nationally recognized subject-matter expert selected by the division, annually audit the master register.

The division shall consider the subject-matter expert's recommendations.

By April 1 of each year, the division shall publish a report describing the most recent audit and accounting for the criteria reviewed under (g) of this section.

The report must include the expert's recommendations, identify protocols used under (g) of this section, provide election information, including the number of voters on the master register and the total population eligible to vote, and highlight voting data problems, irregularities, errors, and vulnerabilities identified in the audit.

The division shall submit the report to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives and notify the legislature that the report is available on or before the date the report is published.

(j) If the division reasonably determines that a voter is away from the state for a reason permissible under AS 15.05.011 or another state or federal law related to voting in elections, the division is not required to send a notice to the voter under (a)(3) of this section.

(k) In addition to a notice or response required under this section, at any time the division may contact a voter to obtain or a voter may contact the division to provide information to determine the voter's residence.

* Sec.

9.

AS 15.07.195 is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(e) The director shall publish on the division's Internet website notice of the nature and severity of a data breach of information made confidential by this section Enrolled SB 64 -6- and report the details of the breach to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives (1) before the day of an election, if the data breach happens or is discovered within 14 days before an election;

(2) before certifying the results of an election, if the data breach happens or is discovered on or after the day of the election but before certification of the election results;

or (3) within 30 days after the data breach, if the data breach happens or is discovered 14 or more days before an election or after the certification of the election results.

(f) Notwithstanding (e) of this section, the director may delay publishing notice of a data breach if a law enforcement agency investigating the data breach informs the director that disclosure of the data breach would compromise an ongoing investigation into the data breach.

* Sec.

10.

The rural community liaison shall collaborate with tribes,tribes municipalities,and corporationsmunicipalities incorporatedto underfacilitate ASaccess 10.06,in regionalrural nonprofitareas corporations,of andthe otherstate community organizations to facilitate access to early and absentee voting inand, ruralwhere areasit ofis theavailable, stateearly voting and ensure that precincts in rural areas of the state are fullyadequately staffed.

17.11.

AS 15.10.170(a)15.13.400(19) is amended to read:

(a)(19) The"true precinctsource" partymeans, committee,(A) wherefor ana organizedcontribution precinctmade committeefor exists, or the partypurpose districtof committeeinfluencing wherea noballot organizedproposition precinct committee exists, or question, the stateperson partyor chairpersonlegal whereentity neitherthat amakes precinctthe norcontribution aor partyindependent districtexpenditure committeeto exists,support may appoint one or moreoppose [PERSONSthe AS]proposition watchersor inquestion; each precinct and counting center for any election.

Aor [EACH](B) candidatefor maya appointcontribution onemade orfor morethe watcherspurpose forof eachinfluencing precinctthe nomination or countingelection centerof ina candidate, (i) the candidate'sperson respectiveor districtlegal entity whose contribution is funded from wages, investment income, inheritance, or therevenue stategenerated forfrom anyselling election.goods or services;

An(ii) [ANY]a organizationperson or organizedlegal groupentity thatwho sponsorsderives or[DERIVED] opposes-7- aEnrolled ballotSB proposition64 [ANfunds INITIATIVE,via REFERENDUM,]contributions, donations, dues, or questiongifts [RECALL]is maynot havethe onetrue orsource more[,] [PERSONSbut AS]is watchers[RATHER] atan theintermediary pollsfor andthe countingtrue centerssource afterexcept firstthat, obtainingfor authorizationa contribution from the[; director.

ANOTWITHSTANDING candidate,THE orFOREGOING, anTO organizationTHE orEXTENT] organizeda groupmembership withorganization authorizationthat fromreceives thedues director,or maycontributions appointof atless leastthan one$2,000 watcherper forperson eachper locationyear, wherethe ballotsorganization oritself envelopesis are[SHALL reviewedBE orCONSIDERED] countedthe intrue asource. precinct or counting center.

A state party chairperson, a precinct party committee, a party district committee, or a candidate may not have more than one watcher on duty at a time in any precinct or counting center.

A watcher must be a United States citizen.

The watcher may be present at a position inside the place of voting or counting that affords a full view of all action of the election officials taken from the time the polls are opened until the ballots are finally counted and the results SB 64 -10- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I certified by the election board or the data processing review board.

The election board or the data processing review board may require each watcher to present written proof showing appointment by the precinct party committee, the party district committee, the organization or organized group, or the candidate the watcher represents and that is signed by the respective chairperson or chairperson's designee of the precinct party committee or party district committee, the state party chairperson, the organization or organized group, or the candidate or candidate's designee.

18.12.

AS 15.13.020(j)15.15.030 is amended to read:

(j)Sec. The commission shall establish offices [AN OFFICE, WHICH MAY BE CALLED A REGIONAL OFFICE, IN EACH SENATE DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO KEEP ON FILE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION COPIES OF ALL REPORTS FILED WITH THE COMMISSION BY CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE AND BY CANDIDATES FOR LEGISLATIVE OFFICE IN THAT DISTRICT;

HOWEVER,15.15.030. WHERE ONE MUNICIPALITY CONTAINS MORE THAN ONE HOUSE DISTRICT, ONLY ONE COMMISSION OFFICE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED IN THAT MUNICIPALITY.

THEPreparation REGIONALof OFFICEofficial SHALLballot. MAKE ALL FORMS AND PERTINENT MATERIAL AVAILABLE TO CANDIDATES.

ALLThe REPORTSdirector SHALLshall BEprepare FILEDall BYofficial CANDIDATES,ballots GROUPS,to ANDfacilitate INDIVIDUALSfairness, DIRECTLYsimplicity, WITHand THEclarity COMMISSION'Sin CENTRALthe DISTRICTvoting OFFICE.procedure, to reflect most accurately the intent of the voter, and to expedite the administration of elections.

THEThe COMMISSIONfollowing SHALLdirectives ENSUREshall THATbe COPIESfollowed OFwhen ALLapplicable: REPORTS BY STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES IN EACH SENATE DISTRICT ARE FORWARDED PROMPTLY TO THAT DISTRICT OR REGIONAL OFFICE].

(1) The director shall determine the size of the ballot, the type of print, necessary additional instruction notes to voters, and other similar matters of form not provided by law.

(2) The director shall number ballots in series to ensure simplicity and secrecy and to prevent fraud.

(3) The director shall contract for the preparation of ballots under AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code).

(4) The director may not include on the ballot, as a part of a candidate's name, any honorary or assumed title or prefix but may include in the candidate's name any nickname or familiar form of a proper name of the candidate.

(5) The names of the candidates shall be placed in separate sections on the state general election ballot under the office designation to which they were nominated.

If a candidate is registered as affiliated with a political party or political group, the party affiliation, if any, may be designated after the name of the candidate, upon request of the candidate.

If a candidate has requested designation as nonpartisan or undeclared, that designation shall be placed after the name of the candidate.

If a candidate is not registered as affiliated with a political party or political group and has not requested to be designated as nonpartisan or undeclared, the candidate shall be designated as undeclared.

The lieutenant governor and the governor shall be included under the same section.

Provision shall be made for voting for write-in candidates Enrolled SB 64 -8- within each section.

Paper ballots for the state general election shall be printed on white paper.

(6) The names of the candidates for each office shall be set out in the same order on ballots printed for use in each house district.

The director shall randomly determine the order of the names of the candidates for state representative for each house district.

The director shall rotate the order of placement of the names of candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, United States senator, United States representative, and state senator on the ballot for each house district.

(7) The general election ballot shall be designed with the names of candidates of each political party, and of any independent candidates qualified under AS 15.30.026, for the office of President and Vice-President of the United States placed in the same section on the ballot rather than the names of electors of President and Vice-President.

Provision shall be made for voting for write-in candidates for President and Vice-President.

(8) The general or special election ballot shall be designed with the title and proposition for any initiative, referendum, or constitutional amendment formulated as prescribed by law and placed on the ballot in the manner prescribed by the director.

When placed on the ballot, a state ballot proposition or ballot question shall carry the number that was assigned to the petition for the proposition or question.

Provision shall be made for marking the proposition "Yes" or "No." (9) The general or special election ballot shall be designed with the question of whether a constitutional convention shall be called placed on the ballot in the following manner:

"Shall there be a constitutional convention?" Provision shall be made for marking the question "Yes" or "No." (10) A nonpartisan ballot shall be designed for each judicial district in which a justice or judge is seeking retention in office.

The ballot shall be divided into four parts.

Each part must bear a heading indicating the court to which the candidate is seeking approval, and provision shall be made for marking each question "Yes" or "No." Within each part, the question of whether the justice or judge shall be approved or rejected shall be set out in substantially the following manner:

(A) "Shall .......

be retained as justice of the supreme court for -9- Enrolled SB 64 10 years?";

(B) "Shall .......

be retained as judge of the court of appeals for eight years?";

(C) "Shall .......

be retained as judge of the superior court for six years?";

or (D) "Shall .......

be retained as judge of the district court for four years?" (11) When the legislature by law authorizes a state debt for capital improvements, the director shall place the question of whether the specific authorization shall be ratified by placing the ballot title and question on the next general election ballot, or on the special election ballot if a special election is held for the purpose of ratifying the state debt for capital improvements before the time of the next general election.

Unless specifically provided otherwise in the Act authorizing the debt, the ballot title shall, by the use of a few words in a succinct manner, indicate the general subject of the Act.

The question shall, by the use of a few sentences in a succinct manner, give a true and impartial summary of the Act authorizing the state debt.

The question of whether state debt shall be contracted shall be assigned a letter of the alphabet on the ballot.

Provision shall be made for marking the question substantially as follows:

"Bonds.......

Yes" or "Bonds.......

No," followed by an appropriate oval.

(12) The director may provide for the optical scanning of ballots where the requisite equipment is available.

(13) The director may provide for voting by use of electronically generated ballots by a voter who requests to use a machine that produces electronically generated ballots.

(14) The director shall include the following statement on the ballot:

A candidate's designated affiliation does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the political party or group or that the party or group approves of or associates with that candidate, but only that the Enrolled SB 64 -10- candidate is registered as affiliated with the political party or political group.

(15) Instead of the statement provided by (14) of this section, when candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States appear on a general election ballot, the director shall include the following statement on the ballot:

A candidate's designated affiliation does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the political party or political group or that the political party or political group approves of or associates with that candidate, but only that the candidate is registered as affiliated with the party or group.

The election for President and Vice-President of the United States is different.

Some candidates for President and Vice- President are the official nominees of their political party.

(16) The director shall design the general election ballots so that the candidates are selected by ranked-choice voting.

(17) The director shall design the general election ballot to direct the voter to mark candidates in order of preference and to mark as many choices as the voter wishes, but not to assign the same ranking to more than one candidate for the same office.

19.13.

AS 15.15.06015.15.060(a) is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(f)(a) AtImmediately eachfollowing pollingthe place,appointment of the divisionelection board, the election supervisor in conjunction with the election board chair shall providesecure languagepolling assistanceplaces asfor requiredholding underthe 52election, U.S.C.suitable ballot boxes that will ensure [ASSURE] security, and an adequate number of voting booths or screens, national flags, pens, and pencils.

10503,At asevery amended.polling place, at least one voting booth shall be furnished and not less than one voting booth or screen shall be furnished for each 100 votes or fractional part of 100 votes cast in the previous election.

An[AT electionEVERY supervisorPOLLING shallPLACE, postAT atLEAST eachONE-HALF pollingOF placeTHE informationVOTING regardingBOOTHS theUSED availabilitySHALL ofBE languageNOT assistanceLESS inTHAN EnglishSIX andFEET allIN otherHEIGHT, languagesENCLOSED forON whichTHREE languageSIDES, assistanceAND isPROVIDED requiredWITH toA be-11- providedEnrolled inSB the64 jurisdictionCURTAIN underEXTENDING federalFROM law.THE TOP OF THE VOTING BOOTH TO WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 30 INCHES OF THE FLOOR.

THE CURTAIN OF THE VOTING BOOTH MUST CONCEAL THE VOTER WHILE VOTING.] The election supervisor and the election board chair may, in an emergency, secure an alternate location for a polling place.

20.14.

AS 15.1515.15.060(b) is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec.(b) To ensure [ASSURE] administrative economy and to protect the secrecy of the ballot, the director may adopt regulations prescribing (1) the type of polling place for holding the election;

15.15.205.(2) the requirements regarding ballot boxes, voting screens, national flags, and other supplies;

Questioningand of(3) voter[SUBJECT whoTO requestedTHE absenteeSPECIFICATIONS ballot.OF (a) OF THIS SECTION,] the requirements regarding voting booths.

If a SB0064A -11- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I voter appears on the official registration list as having received or voted an absentee ballot, the election official shall affirmatively advise the voter that the voter may surrender the absentee ballot for destruction or cast a questioned ballot.

If the voter does not surrender the absentee ballot, the voter shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot.

21.15.

AS 15.15.37015.15.225(a) is amended to read:

Sec.(a) Before being allowed to vote, each voter shall exhibit to an election official one form of identification, including [(1)] an official voter registration card, driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or identification card issued by a federally recognized tribe [HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE;

15.15.370.OR (2) AN ORIGINAL OR A COPY OF A CURRENT UTILITY BILL, BANK STATEMENT, PAYCHECK, GOVERNMENT CHECK, OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT;

ResultsAN [COMPLETION]ITEM ofEXHIBITED ballotUNDER countTHIS [;PARAGRAPH MUST SHOW THE NAME AND CURRENT ADDRESS OF THE VOTER].

CERTIFICATE].

When the count of ballots is completed, and in no event later than the day after the election, the election board shall make a certificate in duplicate of the results.

The certificate includes the number of votes cast for each candidate, including, for a candidate in a general election, the number of votes at each ranking [ROUND OF THE RANKED-CHOICE TABULATION PROCESS] under AS 15.15.350, the number of votes for and against each proposition, yes or no on each question, and any additional information prescribed by the director.

The election board shall, immediately upon completion of the certificate or as soon thereafter as the local mail service permits, send in one sealed package to the director one copy of the certificate and the register.

In addition, all ballots properly cast shall be mailed to the director in a separate, sealed package.

Both packages, in addition to an address on the outside, shall clearly indicate the precinct from which they come.

Each board shall, immediately upon completion of the certification and as soon thereafter as the local mail service permits, send the duplicate certificate to the respective election supervisor.

The director may authorize election boards in precincts in those areas of the state where distance and weather make mail communication unreliable to forward their election results by telephone or radio.

The director may authorize the unofficial totaling of votes on a regional basis by election supervisors, tallying the votes as indicated on duplicate certificates.

To ensure adequate protection, the director shall prescribe the manner in which the ballots, registers, and all other election records and materials are thereafter preserved, transferred, and destroyed.

22.16.

AS 15.15.360(d) is amended to read:

(d) Write-in votes shall be counted according to the following rules:

(1) writing in the name of a candidate whose name is printed on the ballot does not invalidate a write-in vote unless the director determines, on the basis of other evidence, that the ballot was so marked for the purpose of identifying the ballot;

(2) in order to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write in the Enrolled SB 64 -12- candidate's name in the space provided and fill in the oval opposite the candidate's name in accordance with (a)(1) of this section;

(3) a vote for a write-in candidate, other than a write-in vote for governor and lieutenant governor or for President and Vice-President of the United States, shall be counted if the oval is filled in for that candidate and if the name of the candidate, as it appears on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last name of the candidate is written in the space provided;

(4) if the write-in vote is for governor and lieutenant governor, the vote shall be counted if the oval is filled in and the names of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, as they appear on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last names of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, or the name of the candidate for governor, as it appears on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last name of the candidate for governor is written in the space provided;

(5) if the write-in vote is for President and Vice-President of the United States, the vote shall be counted if the oval is filled in and the names of the candidates for President and Vice-President, as they appear on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last names of the candidates for President and Vice-President, or the name of the candidate for President, as it appears on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last name of the candidate for President, is written in the space provided;

(6) in counting votes for a write-in candidate, the director shall disregard any abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate if the intention of the voter can be ascertained.

* Sec.

17.

(b) Each day that the director releases unofficial totals of election results for a general election, the director shall also SB 64 -12- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I (1) release an updated ranked-choice tabulation;

-13- Enrolled SB 64 (4) identify the districts in which early votes were cast and the days on which votes were cast in each district;

(c) Each day that an absentee ballot is reviewed under AS 15.20.201 or a questioned ballot is reviewed under AS 15.20.207, the director shall display on the division's Internet website an updated unofficial total detailing the number of absentee ballots and questioned ballots counted for each count codecode. and the number of ballots rejected and the reasons for each rejection.

23.18.

AS 15.15.42015.15.380 is amended to read:

15.15.420.15.15.380.

DutyPayment toof reviewelection theboard ballotmembers. counting.

The director shall reviewpay theeach countingelection ofboard themember ballotsfor withtime thespent assistanceat ofelection andduties, inincluding the presencereceiving of theinstructions. appointed representatives from the political parties.

AElection candidateboard forchairpersons anand officethe thatchairperson isand onmembers of the ballotsabsentee beingballot, countedquestioned ballot, and appointedstate representativesballot fromcounting thereview groupboards supportingshall andbe frompaid thefor grouptime opposingspent aat ballottheir propositionelection mayduties. be present and assist.

The director shall set the compensation to be paid under this section [BY REGULATION].

24.19.

AS 15.15.430(a) is amended to read:

(a) The review of ballot counting by the director must [SHALL] include [ONLY (1)] a review of the precinct registers, tallies, and ballots cast.

The review must include [;

(2)] a review of absentee and questioned ballots as prescribed by law.

The review must include, for each house district except a house district where all races on the ballot are uncontested [;

AND (3) UNLESS THE BALLOT FOR THE HOUSE DISTRICT CONTAINS NOTHING BUT UNCONTESTED OFFICES], a SB0064A -13- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I hand count of ballots from one randomly selected precinct in the [EACH] house district that accounts for at least five percent of the ballots cast in that district.

The director may adopt regulations prescribing additional review procedures employing statistical methods to limit the risk of certifying an election result that would be inconsistent with the result that would be obtained by conducting a recount.

* Sec.

25.

The voter's certificate shall include a declaration, for use when required, that the voter is a qualified voter in all respects, a blank for the voter's signature, a certification that the affiant properly executed the marking of the ballot and gave the voter's identity, blanks for the attesting official or witness, and a spaceplace for recording the date that the voterenvelope executedwas thesealed certificate.and witnessed.

AnThe Enrolled SB 64 -14- envelope with the voter's certificate may not identify a voter's party affiliation [,but Amust CERTIFICATIONinclude THATa THEnotice AFFIANTthat PROPERLYfalse EXECUTEDstatements THEmade MARKINGby OFthe THEvoter BALLOTor ANDby GAVEthe THEattesting VOTER'Sofficial IDENTITY,or BLANKSwitness FORon THEthe ATTESTINGcertificate OFFICIALare ORpunishable WITNESS,by ANDlaw. A PLACE FOR RECORDING THE DATE THE ENVELOPE WAS SEALED AND WITNESSED].

The envelope with the voter's certificate must include a notice that false statements made by the voter [OR BY THE ATTESTING OFFICIAL OR WITNESS] on the certificate are punishable by law.

26.20.

AS 15.20.07215.20.081(f) is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(h)(f) IfThe adirector votershall satisfiesrequire the requirements of (d) of this section, the division may not reject a voter'svoter specialcasting needsan absentee ballot basedby onmail anto errorprovide byproof anof electionidentification official or representativeother oninformation theto registeraid underin (c)the establishment of thisthe sectionvoter's oridentity anas errorprescribed by aregulations representativeadopted under (d)AS of44.62 this(Administrative section.Procedure Act).

If the voter is a first-time voter who initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 and has not met the identification requirements set out in AS 15.07.060, the voter must provide one of the following forms of proof of identification:

[(1)] a copy of a driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or identification card issued by a federally recognized tribe [HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE;

OR (2) A COPY OF A CURRENT UTILITY BILL, BANK STATEMENT, PAYCHECK, GOVERNMENT CHECK, OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT;

AN ITEM PROVIDED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MUST SHOW THE NAME AND CURRENT ADDRESS OF THE VOTER].

27.21.

AS 15.20.081(d)15.20.081(h) is amended to read:

(d)(h) UponExcept receiptas ofprovided in AS 15.20.480, an absentee ballot returned by mail,mail thefrom voteroutside [,the INUnited THEStates SBor 64from -14-an SB0064Aoverseas Newvoter Textqualifying Underlinedunder [DELETEDAS TEXT15.05.011 BRACKETED]that 34-LS0153\Ihas PRESENCEbeen OFmarked Aand NOTARYmailed PUBLIC,not COMMISSIONEDlater OFFICERthan OFelection THEday ARMEDmay FORCESnot INCLUDINGbe THEcounted NATIONALunless GUARD,the DISTRICTballot JUDGEis ORreceived MAGISTRATE,by UNITEDthe STATESelection POSTALsupervisor OFFICIAL,not REGISTRATIONlater OFFICIAL,than OR OTHER PERSON QUALIFIED TO ADMINISTER OATHS,] may proceed to mark the ballotclose inof secret,business toon place the ballot[(1)] in10th theday secrecyfollowing sleeve, to place the secrecy[A sleevePRIMARY] inelection the[OR envelopeSPECIAL provided,PRIMARY andELECTION toUNDER signAS the15.40.140; voter's certificate on the envelope.

TheOR [IN(2) THE15TH PRESENCEDAY OFFOLLOWING ANA OFFICIALGENERAL LISTEDELECTION INOR THISSPECIAL SUBSECTIONELECTION, WHOOTHER SHALLTHAN SIGNA ASSPECIAL ATTESTINGPRIMARY OFFICIALELECTION ANDDESCRIBED SHALLIN DATE(1) THEOF SIGNATURE.THIS SUBSECTION].

IF NONE OF THE OFFICIALS LISTED IN THIS SUBSECTION IS REASONABLY ACCESSIBLE, AN ABSENTEE VOTER SHALL SIGN THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, WHO SHALL SIGN AS A WITNESS AND ATTEST TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE VOTER SIGNED THE CERTIFICATE IN THE INDIVIDUAL'S PRESENCE, AND, IN ADDITION, THE] voter shall certify, as prescribed in AS 09.63.020, under penalty of perjury, that the statements in the voter's certification are true.

28.22.

AS 15.20.081(e)15.20.170 is amended to read:

(e)-15- AnEnrolled absenteeSB ballot64 mustSec. be marked on or before the date of the election.

Except15.20.170. as provided in (h) of this section, a voter who returns the absentee ballot by mail, whether provided to the voter by mail or by electronic transmission, shall use a mail service at least equal to first class and mail the ballot not later than the day of the election to the election supervisor for the house district in which the voter seeks to vote.

ExceptDisposition as provided in AS 15.20.480, the ballot may not be counted unless it is received by the close of businessballots. on the 10th day after the election.

[IFEach THEabsentee BALLOTvoting ISofficial POSTMARKED,shall ITtransmit MUSTthe BEdated POSTMARKEDenvelopes ONcontaining ORthe BEFOREmarked ELECTIONballots DAY.]by After the daymost ofexpeditious themail election,service ballotsto maythe notelection besupervisor acceptedfor unlessthe receiveddistrict. by mail.

AUpon ballotreceipt received after the day of the electionabsentee thatballots, is not postmarked or is postmarked after the day of the election maysupervisor notshall bestamp countedon unless the ballot envelope is marked with a United States Postal Service tracking barcode sufficient to verify that the ballotdate was mailed on orwhich before the day of the election or with a division of elections ballot trackingis barcodereceived. sufficient to verify that the SB0064A -15- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I ballot was mailed on or before the day of the election.

In this section, "mail service" includes delivery by optical scanning and electronic transmission.

29.23.

AS 15.20.08115.20.201(a) is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(m)(a) AnNot absentee[NO] ballotless applicationthan must12 include[SEVEN] andays optionpreceding forthe aday qualifiedof voterelection, tothe chooseelection tosupervisor, receivein the presence and with the assistance of the district absentee ballotsballot bycounting mailboard, forshall futurereview regularlyall scheduledvoter statecertificates elections.of absentee ballots received by that date.

The divisionreview mayof notabsentee requireballots ashall votercontinue whoat choosestimes thisdesignated option to reapply for an absentee ballot by mail unless (1) the voterelection hassupervisor notuntil votedcompleted. an absentee ballot for a period of four years;

or (2) the voter's previous absentee ballot sent under this section was returned to the division as undeliverable.

(n) If a voter requests under AS 15.07.060(g) or, at least 45 days before an election, requests in writing or by other means designated in regulations adopted by the director to receive a ballot in a language other than English in which the division is required to print election materials under 52 U.S.C.

10503, as amended, the director shall provide the voter with a ballot and election materials under this section in the language requested.

30.24.

AS 15.20.201(b) is amended to read:

(b) Counting of absentee ballots that have been reviewed shall begin not less than seven days preceding [AT 8:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, ON] the day of the election at places designated by each election supervisor and shall continue until all absentee ballots reviewed and eligible for counting have been counted.

The counting teams shall report the first count of absentee ballots to the district absentee ballot counting board not later than [.

AN ELECTION SUPERVISOR OR AN ELECTION OFFICIAL MAY NOT COUNT ABSENTEE BALLOTS BEFORE] 8:00 p.m., local time, on the day of the election.

Counting of the absentee ballots shall continue at times designated by the election supervisor until all absentee ballots are counted.

* Sec.

31.

(b) An absentee ballot mustmay not be rejectedcounted [MAY NOT BE COUNTED] if (1) the voter has failed to properly execute the certificate;

(2) [ANan OFFICIALofficial ORor THEthe WITNESSESwitnesses AUTHORIZEDauthorized BYby LAWlaw TOto ATTESTattest THEthe VOTER'Svoter's CERTIFICATEcertificate FAILfail TOto EXECUTEexecute THEthe SBcertificate, 64except -16-that SB0064Aan Newabsentee Textballot Underlinedcast [DELETEDin TEXTperson BRACKETED]and 34-LS0153\Iaccepted CERTIFICATE,by EXCEPTan THATabsentee ANvoting ABSENTEEofficial BALLOTor CASTelection INsupervisor PERSONmay ANDbe ACCEPTEDcounted BYdespite ANfailure ABSENTEEof VOTINGthe OFFICIALabsentee ORvoting ELECTIONofficial SUPERVISORor MAYelection BEsupervisor COUNTEDto DESPITEproperly FAILUREsign OFand THEdate ABSENTEEthe VOTINGvoter's OFFICIALcertificate ORas ELECTIONattesting SUPERVISORofficial TOas PROPERLYrequired SIGNunder AND DATE THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE AS ATTESTING OFFICIAL AS REQUIRED UNDER AS 15.20.061(c);

(3) THEthe BALLOTballot ISis NOTnot ATTESTEDattested ONon ORor BEFOREbefore THEthe DATEdate OFof THEthe ELECTION;election;

(4)](4) the ballotballot, envelope and certificate, if deliveredpostmarked, by mail after the day of the election [POSTMARKED], (A) is not postmarked or is postmarked after [ON OR BEFORE] the date of the election and is not marked with a United States Postal Service tracking barcode sufficient to verify that the ballot was mailed on or before the daydate of the election or with a division of elections ballot tracking barcode sufficient to verify that the ballot was mailed on or before the day of the election;

(B)(5) has a United States Postal Service tracking barcode verifying that the ballot was mailed after the dateday of theelection, election or a division of elections ballot tracking barcode verifying that the ballot was maileddelivered afterby thea datemeans ofother thethan election;mail;

or (C)(6) the voter voted (A) in person and is executeda after(i) first-time voter who initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the datedirector under AS 15.07.050, has not provided the identification required by AS 15.15.225(a), was not eligible for waiver of the election;identification Enrolled SB 64 -16- requirement under AS 15.15.225(b), and has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and (3) that can be verified through state agency records described in AS 15.07.055(e);

(3)or [(5)](ii) aftervoter theother daythan one described in (i) of election,this thesubparagraph, ballotdid not provide identificationdescribed in AS 15.15.225(a), was deliverednot personally known by athe meanselection otherofficial, thanand mail;has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and (3);

(4)or [OR(B) (6)]by themail voteror votedelectronic (A)transmission, in person and is a (i) first-time voter who initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under AS 15.07.050,15.07.050 to vote, has not providedmet the identification requiredrequirements byset ASout 15.15.225(a),in was not eligible for waiver of the identification requirement under AS 15.15.225(b),15.07.060, and hasdoes not providedsubmit with the identifiersballot requireda incopy ASof 15.07.060(a)(2)a and[(i)] (3)driver's thatlicense, canstate beidentification verifiedcard, SB0064Acurrent -17-and SBvalid 64photo Newidentification, Textbirth Underlinedcertificate, [DELETEDpassport, TEXTor BRACKETED]identification 34-LS0153\Icard throughissued stateby agencya recordsfederally describedrecognized intribe AS[HUNTING 15.07.055(e);OR FISHING LICENSE;

orOR (ii) voterCURRENT otherUTILITY thanBILL, oneBANK describedSTATEMENT, inPAYCHECK, (i)GOVERNMENT ofCHECK, thisOR subparagraph,OTHER didGOVERNMENT notDOCUMENT; provide identification described in AS 15.15.225(a), was not personally known by the election official, and has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and (3);

orAN (B)ITEM byDESCRIBED mailIN orTHIS electronicSUB-SUBPARAGRAPH transmission,MUST isSHOW aTHE first-timeNAME voterAND whoCURRENT initiallyADDRESS registeredOF byTHE mailVOTER]. or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 to vote, has not met the identification requirements set out in AS 15.07.060, and does not submit with the ballot a copy of a (i) driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license;

or (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;

or (5) the voter did not vote absentee in-person and the signature on the certificate is not consistent with the voter's signature in voter registration records.

32.25.

AS 15.2015.20.207(b) is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec.(b) A questioned ballot may not be counted if the voter (1) has failed to properly execute the certificate;

15.20.215.(2) is a first-time voter who initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director under AS 15.07.050, has not provided the identification required by AS 15.15.225(a) or 52 U.S.C.

Rules21083(b)(2)(A), was not eligible for challengingwaiver ballot.of the identification requirement under AS 15.15.225(b), and has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and (3) that can be verified through state agency records described in AS 15.07.055(e);

Theor director-17- shallEnrolled adoptSB by64 regulation(3) is a procedurevoter andother timethan frameone fordescribed ain person(2) presentof atthis thesubsection, ballotdid countingnot reviewprovide toidentification challengedescribed in AS 15.15.225(a), was not personally known by the decisionelection ofofficial, whetherand tohas countnot anprovided absentee,the specialidentifiers needs,required orin questionedAS ballot.15.07.060(a)(2) and (3).

The procedure must provide a reasonable amount of time to submit a challenge.

33.26.

(b) The state review board shall review and count absentee ballots under AS 15.20.081(e) and (h), absentee ballots properly cured under AS 15.20.222,15.20.222(c), and questioned ballots that have been forwarded to the director and that have not been SB 64 -18- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I reviewed or counted by a district counting board.

34.27.

AS 15.20 is amended by adding a new sectionssection to read:

TheIf the director mayprocures procure the system from a third party.party, the third party must be a corporation that is incorporated in the United States.

(4) determine whether the voter's certificateballot has been reviewed;counted;

and (5) determineprovide whether the voter'sinformation ballotnecessary hasto beencure counted;a rejected ballot.

and(b) (6)The provideonline theballot-tracking informationsystem necessarymust (1) use multi-factor authentication to cureverify a rejectedvoter's ballot.identity;

(b) The online ballot-tracking system must (1) verify a voter's identity;

* Sec.

28.

AS 15.20 is amended by adding a new section to read:

Enrolled SB 64 -18- Sec.

(a) If a voter's ballot is rejected because the certificate is missing a voter's signature or the signature of an attesting official or witness or the voter provided insufficient voter identification, the director shall immediately make a reasonable effort to contact the voter, explain the ballot deficiency, explain howthat the deficiency may be cured,cured under this section, and inform the voter of the deadline to cure the ballot.

The director SB0064A -19- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I shall, within 48 hours, but not later than five days after election day, send a notice of deficiency by first class, nonforwardable mail to the address provided on the voter's absentee ballot application or, if no address was provided on the voter's absentee ballot application, to the mailing address in the voter's registration record.

(c) The rejected ballot of a voter who received a notice of deficiency may be counted only if (1) the voter returns the completed form sent with the notice of deficiency, the division receives the form within 1410 days after election day, and the form confirms that the voter returned a ballot to the division;

(2) the voter providessigns athe signatureform sent with the notice of deficiency and includes a copy of a form of identification accepted by the division under AS 15.15.225(a);

(d) A voter's rejected ballot may not be counted and the director shall, if applicable, send copies of the signature on the voter's return envelope to the attorney -19- Enrolled SB 64 general for investigation if the voter returns the form and the form indicates that the voter did not return a ballot to the division.

35.29.

AS 15.2015.25.105 is amended by adding a new sectionsubsection to article 4 to read:

Sec.(d) A write-in candidate running for the office of President of the United States must file a letter with the director certifying the information required under AS 15.30.026(b).

15.20.810.

Drop boxes for elections conducted by mail.

The director shall provide secure ballot drop boxes.

The director shall adopt regulations governing the use and location of ballot drop boxes.

If practicable, the director shall provide a drop box at each division regional office.

The director shall, for a municipality with over 20,000 residents, provide one drop box for each 20,000 residents in locations chosen to ensure that drop boxes are accessible to the most possible voters.

When selecting drop box locations, the director may consult with municipalities, school districts, tribal organizations, and nonpartisan civic orgations.

The director may provide a drop box in a municipality with fewer than 20,000 residents.

The director SB 64 -20- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I shall include in the regulations the criteria for selecting the locations of drop boxes, the security requirements for the drop boxes, and a requirement that drop boxes be open 24 hours a day in the 10 days before an election day.

The regulations must require that each drop box be open on the election day until 8:00 p.m.

36.30.

[AND] (F) transportation of a voter to or from the polls without Enrolled SB 64 -20- charge;

and (G) postage-paid return envelopes required in SB0064A -21- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I AS 15.20.030.

37.31.

AS 15.8015.56.060(a) is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec.(a) A person commits the crime of unlawful interference with an election if the person (1) induces or attempts to induce an election official to fail in the official's duty by force, threat, intimidation, or offers of reward;

15.80.006.(2) intentionally changes, attempts to change, or causes to be changed an official election document including ballots, tallies, and returns;

Cybersecurity.(3) intentionally delays, attempts to delay, or causes to be delayed the sending of the certificate, register, ballots, or other materials whether original or duplicate, required to be sent by AS 15.15.370;

The[OR] director(4) shall,is bycontracted regulation,or developemployed aby cybersecuritythe programstate to defendprint theor voterreproduce registrationin recordsany keptmanner byan official ballot, and the divisionperson againstknowingly cyber(A) attackspersonally andappropriates, dataor breachesgives andor enabledelivers theto, divisionor permits to detectbe andtaken recoverby fromanyone cyberother attacks.than a person authorized by the director, official ballots;

Theor program(B) mustprints includeor cybersecurityreproduces trainingor forhas electionprinted officials.or reproduced official ballots in a form or with a content other than that prescribed by law or as directed by the director;

(5) intentionally opens or tampers with a signed absentee ballot certificate, sealed absentee ballot envelope, or package of ballots without express authorization from the director;

or (6) intentionally breaches, hacks, alters, or tampers with election machinery, including a tabulator, a program, a system, a server, or software used to verify identity, count or tabulate, or manage or control an election function.

38.32.

AS 15.8015.56.070(a) is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec.(a) A person commits the crime of election official misconduct in the first degree if, while an election official, the person (1) intentionally fails to perform an election duty or knowingly does an -21- Enrolled SB 64 unauthorized act with the intent to affect an election or its results;

15.80.009.(2) knowingly permits or makes or attempts to make a false count of election returns;

Synthetic[OR] media(3) inintentionally electioneeringconceals, communications.withholds, destroys, or attempts to conceal, withhold, or destroy election returns;

(a)or A(4) knowingly discloses, shares, or reports to a person maywho is not knowinglyan useelection syntheticofficial mediaelection inresults, anreturns, electioneeringor communicationany withconfidential election data before the intentpolls toclose influenceon anelection election.day.

(b) An individual who is harmed by an electioneering communication that violates this section may bring an action in the superior court to recover damages, full reasonable attorney fees, and costs from (1) the person who created the electioneering communication or retained the services of another to create the electioneering communication;

(2) a person who disseminates an electioneering communication knowing that the electioneering communication includes synthetic media;

or (3) a person who removes a disclosure statement described in (d) of this section from an electioneering communication with the intent to influence an election and knowing that the electioneering communication includes synthetic media.

(c) An individual who is harmed by an electioneering communication that violates this section may seek injunctive relief in the superior court to prohibit publication of the synthetic media.

(d) It is a defense to an action under this section that (1) the electioneering communication included the following disclosure statement:

"This (image/video/audio) has been manipulated" and (A) for visual media that included other text, the text of the disclosure statement remained visible throughout the entirety of the communication, was easily readable by the average viewer, and was in a font not smaller than the largest font size of any other text thapeared in the SB 64 -22- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I visual component;

(B) for visual media that did not include any other text, the disclosure statement was in a font size that was easily readable by the average viewer;

(C) for a communication that consisted of only audio, the disclosure statement was read (i) at the beginning of the audio, at the end of the audio, and, if the audio was longer than two minutes in duration, at intervals interspersed within the audio that occurred at least once every two minutes;

and (ii) in a clear manner and in a pitch and at a speed that was easily heard by the average listener;

or (2) the synthetic media constitutes satire or parody.

(e) An interactive computer service, Internet service provider, cloud service provider, telecommunications network, or radio or television broadcaster, including a cable or satellite television operator, programmer, or producer, is not liable under this section for hosting, publishing, or distributing an electioneering communication provided by another person.

For purposes of this section, a developer of the technology used to create synthetic media that is in an electioneering communication is not the creator of the electioneering communication.

This subsection does not prevent an individual from bringing an action under (b)(3) of this section for removing a disclosure statement.

(f) In this section, (1) "access software provider" means a provider of client, server, or other software or enabling tools that (A) filter, screen, allow, or disallow content;

(B) pick, choose, analyze, or digest content;

or (C) transmit, receive, display, forward, cache, search, subset, organize, reorganize, or translate content;

(2) "artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input the system receives, how to SB0064A -23- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I generate outputs, including predictions, content, recommendations, and decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments, with different artificial intelligence systems varying in levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment;

(3) "electioneering communication" means a communication that (A) directly or indirectly identifies a candidate or political party;

(B) is disseminated through a mailing, a newspaper, the Internet, or broadcast media, including radio, television, cable, or satellite, to an audience that includes voters who will have the opportunity to vote on a candidate identified in the communication or on a candidate of a party identified in the communication;

and (C) when read as a whole and with limited reference to outside events, is susceptible of no other reasonable interpretation but as an exhortation to vote for or against a specific candidate;

(4) "interactive computer service" means an information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the Internet and systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions;

(5) "synthetic media" (A) means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that is manipulated by artificial intelligence in a manner that creates a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording and produces (i) a depiction that a reasonable person would believe is of a real individual in appearance, speech, or conduct but did not actually occur in reality;

and (ii) a materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording;

(B) does not include an image, audio recording, or video SB 64 -24- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I recording that is minimally edited, adjusted, or enhanced by artificial intelligence without materially altering how the meaning or significance of the depiction would be perceived by a reasonable person.

39.33.

AS 19.25.105(a)43.23.101 is amended to read:

(a) Outdoor advertising may not be erected or maintained within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of the interstate, primary, or secondary highways in this state except the following:

(1) directional and other official signs and notices that [WHICH] include [, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,] signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historic attractions, which are required or authorized by law, and which shall conform to federal standards for interstate and primary systems;

(2) signs, displays, and devices advertising the sale or lease of property on [UPON] which they are located or advertising activities conducted on the property;

(3) signs determined by the state, subject to concurrence of the United States Department of Transportation, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces of historic or artistic significance, the preservation of which would be consistent with the provisions of this chapter;

(4) directional signs and notices pertaining to schools;

(5) advertising on bus benches or bus shelters, and adjacent trash receptacles, if the state determines that the advertising conforms to local, state, and federal standards for interstate and primary highways;

(6) temporary political campaign signs not larger than 32 square feet in size displayed on private property if the owner or resident of the property is not being compensated for the display, the sign is not a risk to the public, and the sign is outside of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway right-of-way.

* Sec.

40.

AS 24.45.091 is amended to read:

24.45.091.43.23.101.

PublicationVoter ofregistration. reports.

CopiesEach ofmonth, the statements[THE] andcommissioner reports filed under this chapter shall be[ESTABLISH madeBY availableRULE toA theSCHEDULE publicBY atWHICH the commission's offices and on the commission's Internet website [CENTRAL OFFICE, THE OFFICECOMMISSIONER OFWILL THEPROVIDE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE LIBRARY OF THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY, AND ATSHALL] THEprovide SB0064A[AS -25-SOON SBAS 64IS NewPRACTICABLE] Textthe Underlineddirector [DELETEDof TEXTelections BRACKETED]with 34-LS0153\Ithe COMMISSION'Sfollowing DISTRICTinformation OFFICESfor PRESCRIBEDeach INpermanent ASfund 15.13.020(j)]dividend asapplicant: soon as practicable after each reporting period.

(1) the electronic record [RECORDS FROM THE PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND APPLICATIONS] of the information required by AS 15.07.060(a)(1) - (4) and (7) - (9) [,] and the attestation that the [SUCH] information is true [,] for each permanent fund dividend applicant who (A) is a citizen of the United States;

and (B) is at least 18 years of age or will be within 90 days of the date of the application;

[AND] (2) the applicant's mailing address;

and (3) whether the applicant has claimed residency in another state [ADDRESSES FOR ALL PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND APPLICANTS].

41.34.

AS 24.45.111(b)43.23.101 is amended by adding new subsections to read:

(b) The commissioncommissioner shall preservedevelop thesecurity statementsprotocols andthat reportsensure data required to be filedstored or transferred under this chaptersection foris asecurely periodstored ofor sixtransferred. years from the date of filing.

Copies(c) [IFIn THEcooperation COMMISSION'Swith CENTRALthe OFFICEdivision ISof NOTelections INunder THEAS STATE15.07.070(o), CAPITAL,the COPIES]commissioner ofshall allsubmit statementsan andannual reportsreport filedto underthe thisgovernor chapterand shallto bethe maintainedsenate insecretary and the commission'schief officesclerk andof bethe madehouse availableof representatives on theor commission'sbefore Internetthe websitefirst [ANday OFFICEof ESTABLISHEDeach BYregular THEsession COMMISSIONof INthe THElegislature STATEand CAPITALnotify ORthe INlegislature THEthat OFFICEthe OFreport THEis LIEUTENANTavailable. GOVERNOR].

Enrolled SB 64 -22- * Sec.

42.35.

AS 29.26.050 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(d) Except as a municipality may require for elections held only in specific local election districts or service areas under (b) of this section, a person who has lived within the municipality for at least 30 days, but who has not registered to vote in state elections at a residence address within the municipality at least 30 days before a municipal election, may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot in that election.

The municipality may not reject the absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the election.

* Sec.

43.

AS 39.50.020(b) is amended to read:

(b) A public official, [OR] former public official, or candidate for municipal office [OTHER THAN AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED MUNICIPAL OFFICER] shall file the statement with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

Candidates for the office of governor and lieutenant governor and, if the candidate is not subject to AS 24.60, the legislature shall file the statement under AS 15.25.030.

The Alaska Public Offices Commission shall provide copies of the statemen st filed by municipal [MUNICIPAL] officers, former municipal officers, and candidates for elective municipal office to [SHALL FILE WITH] the applicable municipal clerk or other municipal official designated to receive the statements [THEIR FILING FOR OFFICE].

All statements required to be filed under this chapter are public records.

SB 64 -26- SB0064A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0153\I * Sec.

44.

AS 39.50.200(b) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:

(65) Redistricting Board.

* Sec.

45.

AS 44.62.310(h)(3) is amended to read:

(3) "public entity" means an entity of the state or of a poilital subdivision of the state including an agency, a board or commission, the Redistricting Board, the University of Alaska, a public authority or corporation, a municipality, a school district, and other governmental units of the state or a political subdivision of the state;

it does not include the court system or the legislative branch of state government.

* Sec.

46.

AS 15.10.170(b) is repealed.

* Sec.

47.

The division of elections shall provide a report to the legislature by Novemberthe 1,first 2026,day of the First Regular Session of the Thirty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature recommending options for expanding early voting in rural communities and low-incomelow- income neighborhoods.

48.36.

(a) AS 15.56.030(d), as amended by sec.

3630 of this Act, appliesAS to15.56.060(a), offensesas committedamended onby or after the effective date of sec.

3631 of this Act.Act, and AS 15.56.070(a), as amended by sec.

32 of this Act, apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of secs.

30 - 32 of this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding the amendment and enactment of laws in secs.

1 - 10, 12 - 25, and 29 - 38 of this Act, the division of elections shall administer an election of regional school board members occurring in October 2026 as provided in AS 15 as that title read on the day before the effective date of secs.

1 - 10, 12 - 25, and 29 - 38 of this Act.

49.37.

ThisThe Actuncodified takeslaw effectof Julythe 1,State 2026.of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:

SB0064ATRANSITION: -27- SB 64 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

REGULATIONS.

The division of elections may adopt regulations necessary to implement the changes made by this Act.

The regulations take effect under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act), but not before the effective date of the law implemented by the regulation.

* Sec.

38.