2026-05-07                     House Journal                      Page 2437
HB 390                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 390 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting;                                                     
     relating to voter registration; relating to election administration;                                                       
     relating to campaign contributions; relating to write-in candidates                                                        
     for President and Vice-President of the United States; relating to                                                         
     the crimes of unlawful interference with voting in the first degree,                                                       
     unlawful interference with an election, and election official                                                              
     misconduct; relating to voter registration on permanent fund                                                               
     dividend applications; relating to the duties of the commissioner                                                          
     of revenue; and providing for an effective date."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and                                                       
Finance Committees.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Office of the Governor                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 6 follows:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to election                                                                     
administration, voter registration, voting procedures, campaign                                                                 
finance, election offenses, and permanent fund dividend voter-                                                                  
registration records.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-05-07                     House Journal                      Page 2438
This bill builds on the work of Senate Bill 64 by making important                                                              
changes to Alaska’s election laws while providing the Division of                                                               
Elections with the time and tools necessary to implement those                                                                  
changes securely and reliably. The bill preserves the goal of improving                                                         
voter access, transparency, and confidence in Alaska’s elections.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill establishes a clear process for voters to cure certain defects in                                                      
absentee ballots. To protect the integrity of that process, the bill also                                                       
requires signature verification as part of ballot curing. Election                                                              
officials would compare the voter’s signature to signatures contained                                                           
in voter registration records and provide notice to the voter when                                                              
additional information is needed. A voter would be required to provide                                                          
the information necessary to cure the defect within the time provided                                                           
by law. This approach protects the right of qualified voters to have                                                            
their ballots counted while ensuring that ballot-curing procedures                                                              
include clear safeguards for verifying voter identity.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The bill also provides a delayed effective date for major election                                                              
administration changes. This will allow the Division of Elections                                                               
sufficient time to develop procedures, train election workers, update                                                           
systems, inform voters, and conduct the testing necessary to ensure                                                             
that the changes are implemented in an orderly manner. Election laws                                                            
should be clear, workable, and carefully implemented in a way that                                                              
protects both access to the ballot and public confidence in the                                                                 
outcome.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
This legislation reflects a balanced approach. It improves election                                                             
administration, maintains access to the electoral process, strengthens                                                          
election integrity, and gives the state sufficient time to implement                                                            
these changes securely and reliably before they govern a statewide                                                              
election.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"