THURSDAY: Arguments in Lawsuit Challenging Alaska Witness Requirement for Absentee Ballots

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

THURSDAY: Arguments in Lawsuit Challenging Alaska Witness Requirement for Absentee Ballots 

Dial-In Available to Listen to the Remote Arguments 

For Immediate Release: Sept. 29, 2020

Contact: Megan Edge, ACLU of Alaska, 907-980-5630, medge@acluak.org

Inga Sarda-Sorensen, ACLU National 347-514-3984, isarda-sorensen@aclu.org

Mauda Moran, Native American Rights Fund, 720-647-9703, media@narf.org

Ian Weiner, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, 443-694-1028, idweiner@lawyerscommittee.org

 WHAT:

The Anchorage Superior Court will hear oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging an absentee ballot witness requirement that forces some Alaskans to choose between their health and their vote. 

The lawsuit, Arctic Village Council v. Meyer, seeks to waive a provision of state law for the November general election that requires voters who submit a mail-in absentee ballot to have a witness sign their ballot return envelope even in the midst of a highly contagious and deadly pandemic. 

WHO:
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law represent plaintiff Tribe Arctic Village; the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Alaska, and Lawyers' Committee represent the League of Women Voters of Alaska and individual plaintiffs Elizabeth L. Jones and Barbara Clark. Natalie Landreth, NARF staff attorney, will present the oral arguments.

 WHEN:
Thursday, October 1, at 2:30 p.m. AKDT

HOW TO LISTEN TO THE ARGUMENTS:

Because of safety precautions taken by the court to mitigate COVID-19 risks, arguments will take place telephonically.
Members of the public interested in listening are welcome to do so by calling the Ready Access Line provided by the courts:

Dial: 1-800-768-2983
Access Code: 2640561#

American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska 1057 West Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503