News & Commentary

Almost two months into the 32nd Alaska Legislative Session, the state’s lawmakers have gotten off to a bumpy start in tackling all the issues facing our state. The House did not organize until Feb. 18, when a multi-party coalition formed with Rep. Louise Stutes as Speaker, allowing the chamber to begin formal legislative work. This majority coalition should prevent passage of most, if not all, detrimental legislation that we’re watching, as well as increase the chances of positive policy advancements.

Join us for a virtual screening of "RIGGED: The Voter Suppression Playbook" -- an award-winning documentary that exposes the nefarious tactics used to suppress the vote and serves to spark discussion on the actions needed to protect our democracy. Shot principally during the 2016 election, the film tracks a systematic, decade-long effort to reverse the impact of the growing demographic tide of non-white and younger voters who helped elect President Barack Obama in 2008. It details a variety of voter suppression “plays,” or tactics, ranging from the purging of voting rolls and passing of new, restrictive voter ID laws to gerrymandering and voter intimidation. It is narrated by Tony & Emmy award-winning actor, Jeffrey Wright.

An Alaska court has ruled that the witness requirement for absentee ballots is unconstitutional during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Parties in this case are working now to determine how the Election Division can alert voters about any subsequent changes.

Yesterday, the ACLU of Alaska filed an open records request with the Alaska Division of Elections and sent a letter to Lieutenant Governor Mallott, both about Alaska’s compliance with President Trump’s Election Integrity Commission.

On January 14, 2016, we submitted over 42,000 signatures from Alaskans all over the state to the Division of Elections in order to get PFD Voter Registration on the ballot. Keep an eye out for the initiative on the November ballot!