Who Decides How Alaskans Vote? Decisions That Could Reshape Elections
However you’re marking this holiday weekend, here’s hoping it brings you time to rest and reflect. Spring in Alaska can’t be too far off now, and with it, a reminder that change, however slowly it arrives, does come.
This issue highlights developments in Juneau, including education funding proposals, budget decisions, and changes affecting school districts. At the same time, federal actions, including a new executive order and a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, could directly affect how ballots are counted in Alaska, particularly for voters who rely on mail service.
What happens in Juneau and Washington doesn’t stay there. Those decisions show up in our classrooms, our mailboxes, and at the ballot box.
CSSB 64(FIN) AM Elections (aka “SB64”), has passed both chambers and is awaiting transmission to the Governor. A “manifest error” notice was issued April 2, indicating that technical corrections were made prior to final transmission. Because these changes are non-substantive, the Legislature does not need to vote on the bill again. This legal review is the final step before the bill can be sent to the Governor. Hopefully soon.
SB 23 – Civics Education, is still in the Senate Education Committee. Strengthening civics education is a real priority, and this bill represents an important opportunity to expand student understanding of government and civic participation. Please consider contacting the House Education members, particularly Rep. Story, to urge moving this bill out of committee, as time is getting short in the legislative cycle.
HB 21, Voter Preregistration for Minors, has advanced through House State Affairs, Judiciary, and Finance, and is now in the House Rules Committee awaiting scheduling for a floor vote. If passed by the House, the bill will move to the Senate for further consideration.
HB 374 Base Student Allocation, is a bill that would raise the Base Student Allocation by $630. The bill was heard and held again on March 23. In past years, Gov. Dunleavy has vetoed all attempts to permanently raise the BSA amount.
The Legislature is advancing the state operating budget for next fiscal year (HB 263). The House version includes an additional $158 million in one-time funding for education. Because the budget and HB 374 are moving on separate tracks, education funding decisions may ultimately come through the budget process even if the policy bill does not advance.
This year’s discussions are also being shaped by higher-than-expected oil revenues, driven by global events. While increased revenue may provide more flexibility, it also adds uncertainty as lawmakers determine how to balance spending and savings.
A revised, scaled-back version of HB 12 Free Breakfast & Lunch in Public Schools, was introduced March 13. Instead of universal free meals, it now targets approximately 3,000 students who qualify for reduced-price meals. The bill is scheduled to be heard again on April 8 in House Education (invited testimony only). A revised fiscal note has not yet been provided. The change reflects a narrower approach focused on students with demonstrated financial need.
SB 278, Local Contributions by School Districts, a new bill addressing local school funding contributions was introduced on March 16, and will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on April 8. Both invited and public testimony are invited. SB 278 would limit annual increases in the required local contribution from municipalities to 2%. Current law already limits total contributions to 45% of a district’s basic need, but does not restrict how quickly that amount can grow. Without this cap, a district’s required local contribution could increase significantly from year to year—for example, if property values rise sharply. That could put pressure on local governments to cover a larger share of school costs, potentially straining municipal budgets. This bill, if passed, would be retroactive to July 1, 2025, taking effect for this fiscal year.
SJR 2, Constitutional Amendment: Veto Override passed the Senate on March 31 (with a vote of 14–6) and has been referred to House Judiciary, with a hearing scheduled for April 10. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to lower the number of votes required to override a governor’s veto of budget items, from three-quarters to two-thirds of the Legislature. This would align the veto threshold to be the same override percentage as all other bills.
If approved by the Legislature, the measure would go before Alaska voters for final approval.
Federal Actions Could Affect How Alaska Counts Ballots
Several recent federal developments could have significant implications for how elections are administered in Alaska, particularly for voters who rely on absentee by mail ballots. Here’s a look at two of them.
Executive Order on Elections and Immediate Legal Challenge
On March 31, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order addressing federal elections. The order directs federal agencies to strengthen voter eligibility verification, including requirements related to citizenship confirmation. It proposes changes affecting how mail ballots are handled, and the role of the U.S. Postal Service in ballot delivery.
The executive order directs the United States Postal Service to begin a formal rulemaking process that could change how mail ballots are handled. Under this proposal, states would submit lists of voters eligible to receive mail ballots, and ballots could be delivered only to individuals on those lists. This would not take effect immediately; it would require a formal rulemaking process, which is subject to legal review and potential court challenges.
At the same time, the order directs federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, to prioritize enforcement of voter registration and election laws, and it signals that federal funding may be withheld from states that do not comply. Together, these provisions could place significant pressure on states to align their voter verification processes with federal expectations.
For Alaska, this raises particular concerns. Many rural communities rely on non-standard addressing systems, P.O. boxes, and records that may not always align neatly across databases. If voter eligibility lists are incomplete or do not accurately reflect local realities, eligible voters—especially in remote areas—could face delays or barriers in receiving mail ballots.
Within days, a coalition of voting rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs include the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, in a case titled League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump.
The lawsuit challenges several aspects of the executive order. The plaintiffs argue that it exceeds the authority of the executive branch, conflicts with existing federal law governing elections and the postal system, and could impose new requirements affecting how ballots are distributed. The suit also raises concerns about the potential impact on voter access and the handling of personal data.
Because the case was filed so quickly after the order was issued, it is expected to move through the courts on an expedited timeline. As with a similar executive order issued in 2025, early court rulings could determine whether the order is implemented, modified, or blocked.
At this stage, the outcome remains uncertain.
Supreme Court Case on When Ballots Must Be Received
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case, Watson v. Republican National Committee, which directly addresses when mail ballots must be received in order to be counted.
The case centers on a Mississippi law allowing ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received within five business days afterward. That policy was challenged on the grounds that federal law establishes a single national Election Day, raising the question of whether ballots arriving after that day may legally be counted.
The Court heard oral arguments on March 23, 2026. A decision is expected by late June or early July, in advance of the November general election.
The outcome could have nationwide implications. Several states, including Alaska, allow ballots to be counted after Election Day if they are timely postmarked. These policies are particularly important in states with large geographic areas, limited transportation infrastructure, and reliance on mail delivery.
If the Court were to limit or prohibit post-Election Day receipt deadlines, states could be required to revise longstanding election procedures. Election officials across the country have indicated that such changes could affect ballot processing timelines, voter outreach, and administrative costs.
Taken together, these developments highlight how federal policy and court decisions can directly affect state election administration.
Under the U.S. Constitution, states have primary responsibility for administering elections, including setting procedures for voting and ballot counting, while Congress has authority to regulate certain aspects of federal elections. Federal agencies, under the executive branch, implement and enforce those laws, creating an ongoing balance between state administration and federal oversight.
Existing federal laws such as the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) address voter registration and list maintenance, but they do not require states to use specific federal databases or tie ballot delivery to federally compiled voter lists. How far federal agencies can go in implementing these policies is likely to be a central question in ongoing litigation.
Alaska’s election system relies heavily on mail voting, particularly in rural areas where distances are long and weather can delay delivery. Current law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they arrive afterward — a practice designed to ensure that voters across the state have a meaningful opportunity to participate, and one that is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Changes at the federal level — whether through executive action or court rulings — could affect how Alaskans vote in the future.
We value your input – Questions or feedback? Contact us at alaskalwv@alaskalwv.org.
LWV of Alaska is beginning their “Get out the Vote” efforts for this years’ midterms. Quick 30 second shorts are starting to appear on the LWVAK YouTube page. Check them out – and don’t forget to “like” and “subscribe” to the LWVAK YouTube page. The more they are viewed, the more people will see them. Find us here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlaskaLWV
Concerned with Civics Education? The LWV of Alaska and the LWV of Juneau have teamed up to provide a set of quick video classes for middle school students including lesson plans and videos. Called “Alaska Students – Capitol Visits.” Find out more information (with links) on our website at: https://alaskalwv.org/education/
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