1993-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 0172
SB 74                                                                        
Dear Mr. President:                                                            
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill making a supplemental appropriation for               
$891,500 to the Office of the Governor, Division of Elections, to              
allow that division to carry on essential elections operations until the       
end of the fiscal year.                                                        
                                                                               
The Division of Elections is required by statute to perform functions          
essential to the operation of elections in this state.  These functions        
include supervising registration of voters, preparing election ballots         
and materials, administering candidate filings for elective positions,         
and other essential duties.                                                    
                                                                               
Due to underfunding of operations and litigation, including the                
reapportionment process, the Division of Elections is rapidly running          
out of money to perform these functions.  In order to properly                 
conduct elections and perform its other statutory duties, a                    
supplemental appropriation is essential and should be enacted into             
law no later than February 15, 1993, the projected date when the               
division will no longer have funding.                                          
                                                                               
Without this supplemental appropriation, performance of these                  
important state functions is jeopardized.                                      
                                                                               
I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this important                 
legislation.                                                                   
                                                                               
      Sincerely,                                                               
      /s/                                                                      
      Walter J. Hickel                                                         
      Governor