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SB 289

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.

34th Legislature (2025-2026)

SB 289 broadens and tightens Alaska's election administration to improve voter registration integrity, data security, and transparency while expanding rural voting access.

(S) Heard & Held
#campaigns #crimes #disclosure #elections #permanentfund #residency #voting
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 289

Summary of SB 289 ( Alaska, 34th Legislature )

SB 289 is a broad elections and election-administration bill that makes numerous changes to voter registration, voting processes, campaign finance terminology, data handling, and related enforcement. It also adds procedural and reporting requirements and creates new oversight tools, with phased effective dates.

1) Purpose and intent

  • Modernize and tighten voter registration and election administration.
  • Expand coordination between the Division of Elections and the Department of Revenue (for sharing certain data related to Permanent Fund Dividend applicants) with strong privacy protections.
  • Improve transparency and traceability of election processes (ballot tracking, signature verification, and post-election reporting).
  • Update write-in procedures and campaign-finance terminology (including clarifying “true source” for contributions).
  • Create penalties for unlawful interference with elections and strengthen election-official accountability.
  • Expand voting access in rural areas and implement stronger procedures for maintaining accurate voter rolls and addressing data security.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Voter identification and initial registration

    • In-person registrations: Applicants must present one form of identification (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, birth certificate, passport, tribal ID). A registrar who knows the applicant may waive this requirement.
    • Initial registration by mail, fax, electronic transmission, or via Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) applications: The director may verify information through state agency records; if the applicant lacks the listed ID, other acceptable forms include driver’s license, state ID, etc., or alternate identification options are allowed.

  • Data sharing with the Department of Revenue (DOR)

    • The Division of Elections may use information provided by DOR primarily for voter registration and maintenance purposes.
    • Confidential information shared with the Division of Elections may not be disclosed except under specified circumstances and must be safeguarded (encryption and restricted use).

  • Annual reporting and shoreline of data sharing

    • The Division of Elections and DOR must jointly produce an annual report detailing: number of PFD applicant records shared, effects on voter-roll maintenance and election integrity, and security measures to protect voter information.

  • Voter roll maintenance and audits

    • New regulatory authority for regular reviews of the master voter roll to identify deceased voters, felons, ineligible voters, dual registrations, and other anomalies.
    • Data sources for reviews include USPS data, citizenship verification systems, motor vehicle records, corrections records, tax records, jury duty records, and more.
    • Confidential data transfers must be encrypted and limited to assisting the division, with no retention or secondary sharing.

  • Data breach transparency

    • Creates a requirement to publish notices about data breaches affecting confidential voter data, with timing tied to election events; allows delay if law enforcement requires it.

  • Rural and absentee voting access

    • Requires a rural community liaison to facilitate absentee and early voting access in rural areas and ensure adequate staffing at rural precincts.

  • Elections administration and ballot design

    • Ballots must be designed to support ranked-choice voting, with specific layout and designation rules for party-affiliated, nonpartisan, and presidential ballots.
    • Write-in voting provisions updated to require write-in declarations for presidential candidates; other write-ins retain existing rules but are harmonized with the new structure.
    • Standardized placement and rotation of candidate names across ballots; write-in sections must be provided for relevant offices.

  • Voter identification for absentee ballots

    • Absentee voters voting by mail must provide identification or other verification methods; first-time voters registering by mail or electronic means must provide ID or other verification consistent with existing law.

  • Ballot-tracking and cure process

    • Establishes an online ballot-tracking system with multi-factor authentication to help voters track and cure ballots.
    • Provides a cure mechanism for signatures that don’t match, including sending notice and a 14-day cure window.

  • Signature verification

    • Introduces signature verification processes for absentee ballots, including potential use of signature-verification software and trained personnel.

  • Campaign finance terminology

    • Revises “true source” for contributions to distinguish between actual donors and intermediaries, with special treatment for small membership organizations.

  • Write-in candidacy requirements for President and Vice President

    • Requires a formal filing (letter) certifying required information for presidential write-in candidates.

  • Administrative and effective-date provisions

    • Several sections have staggered effective dates (some immediate, some January 1, 2027, or June 1, 2027).
    • Allows the Division of Elections to adopt regulations and to proceed with procurement to implement changes.

3) Who or what would be affected

  • Alaska Division of Elections: major administrative and procedural changes (master voter roll maintenance, ballot design, absentee processing, online ballot-tracking).
  • Department of Revenue: data-sharing collaboration with the Division of Elections; annual reporting requirements.
  • Permanent Fund Dividend applicants: potential linkage and cross-checks used for voter registration.
  • Voters: changes to ID requirements, absentee voting procedures, signature-cure processes, and availability of online ballot-tracking.
  • Election officials and election boards: new training requirements and enhanced procedures for signature verification and ballot handling.
  • Rural communities: new liaison role aimed at expanding access to voting.
  • Campaign committees and donors: updated “true source” definitions affecting disclosures.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Transition and implementation timing
    • Some provisions take effect immediately; others phase in with specific dates:
    • Sections 42 and 43 set several delayed effective dates (e.g., January 1, 2027; June 1, 2027).
    • General applicability applies to offenses and enforcement as of the act’s effective date, with specified sections delayed.
  • Regulation and procurement
    • The act contemplates regulatory rules and procurement actions to implement its changes, to be carried out under state procurement and administrative procedure laws.
  • Reporting
    • Annual reporting to the governor and legislative leaders is required under multiple provisions, with a standing duty to publish and notify when reports are available.

Overall, SB 289 seeks to strengthen voter registration integrity, data security, and transparency in Alaska’s election process while expanding access in rural areas and enhancing post-election accountability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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