Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

Yet again, the Alaska State Legislature did not make any substantial changes to its election laws this past session. Due to the lack of movement on pro-voter policies, Alaska received a C on this year’s progress report.

Looking Back

Where Alaska Started at the Beginning of 2023

• Automatic Voter Registration: Secure AVR
• Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
• Same-Day Registration: Yes (presidential race only)
• Restoration of Rights: Parole and/or Probation Disenfranchisement
• Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
• Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
• Early Voting Opportunities: In-Person Absentee/Regular Ballot Early Voting
• ID Requirements: ID Requested, but not Required

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for Alaska as of 2022, we considered the state a top tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2023 activity against other top tier states. Last year, Alaska was considered a bottom tier state.

How Our Tier Compares

• COVI (2022): 16th
• EPI Score (2020): 14th
• CLC State Scorecard (2022): 7/10 
• MAP Democracy Rating (2022): MEDIUM

2023: This Past Year

Legislative Action

The Alaska Legislature passed only one election-related bill during the 2023 session.

• S 119 requires the Division of Elections to enter into an agreement with the Department of Corrections to verify voter registration data. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections to ensure all returning citizens have a state ID when they are discharged from incarceration or issue them a free ID if they do not have one.