By THE ALASKA STORY
ANCHORAGE — A citizen-led effort to clarify who is eligible to vote in Alaska elections has taken a major step forward, as Alaskans for Citizen Voting submitted nearly 50,000 signatures to the Alaska Division of Elections, well above the roughly 35,000 valid signatures required to place a ballot initiative before voters.
State election officials will now review the signatures to determine whether the initiative qualifies for the November 2026 statewide ballot. Organizers expect certification within the next 60 days.
The proposed initiative does not expand voting rights or restrict existing constitutional protections. Instead, it seeks to clarify Alaska statute by removing ambiguity in current law, which states that a person “may” vote if they meet certain qualifications.
Under the proposed change, Alaska law would explicitly state that only a person who meets all four qualifications may vote:
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Is a citizen of the United States
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Is at least 18 years old
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Has been a resident of Alaska and the house district for at least 30 days before the election
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Is properly registered and not registered to vote in another jurisdiction
The initiative aligns statutory language with what most Alaskans already believe is the law, while reinforcing the intent of the Alaska Constitution.
“The framers of our state’s constitution intended that the voting privilege should be granted only to U.S. citizens,” said former state Sen. John Coghill, one of the initiative’s sponsors. “Recent actions in other states require Alaska to clarify our law. The response during the signature collection phase shows that many Alaskans agree.”
Former House Speaker Mike Chenault, another sponsor, said the effort is about clarity, not controversy. “This is common sense and consistent with what most Alaskans believe is already the law,” Chenault said. “We intend to make it clear.”
Former state Sen. Josh Revak said the issue is personal as well as civic. “The right to vote is central to our democracy,” Revak said. “As a veteran and the husband of an immigrant who became a citizen, I believe we must protect the value of citizenship.”
Organizers argue that while Alaska elections currently require proof of eligibility, vague statutory language could invite future legal challenges, policy shifts, or administrative interpretations that weaken voter confidence.
Alaskans for Citizen Voting describes the initiative as a preventative measure—aimed at ensuring Alaska law remains clear, durable, and consistent with constitutional intent, regardless of political changes or national trends.
More information about the initiative is available at AlaskansforCitizenVoting.com.
3 thoughts on “Nearly 50,000 signatures filed to strengthen Alaska’s voter eligibility law”
Why should US citizens be the only class of voters in Alaska? We welcome all people to the polls. No ID or voter registration card needed. Just vote and be happy. Late voting, early voting, often voting . It’s all good. We are all global citizens of the world. Samali, Venezuelan, Honduran, Greenlander. Everybody. And screw ICE. The only ice I need is in my next shot of whiskey. Then I’m ready for war.
It is very simple. Even heaven has gates and rules to live under God’s jurisdiction. People who do not believe in God would not be happy in heaven. They would want to change the rules, beliefs, culture…eventually destroying the original pure and righteous heaven. So do those who are not citizens of this America. They do not change their hearts and minds to believe in a true free country. We are a republic government with a certain set of standards, guidelines, rules, and culture that all men are created equal. Only US citizens are allowed to vote per our republic constitution.
derm isn’t concerned with heaven, he’s not going there.