The Election Bill has made its thrilling journey to the Governor’s Desk!

Dear friends and neighbors,

As Anchorage prepares to swear in the newly elected members of the Assembly and School Board, I want to commend our municipal elections team for successfully managing another election. Much of the recent election’s success is attributed to the features that make voting both easy and secure. I take pride in the election process established by the Municipality, and with the passage of Senate Bill 64, I look forward to the State adopting similar features.

This successful municipal election is a result of proven election practices that I believe would improve election processes across the state. That is why I joined my colleagues in supporting Senate Bill 64, which would bring several successful elements of our Municipal election to the State process.

As I have voted from Juneau via a temporary address ballot, I have taken advantage of the ballot tracking to ensure it made its way safely to the Anchorage Elections Center to be counted. Senate Bill 64 allows everyone to use this ballot tracking process during our statewide elections as well.

Across the state we have seen the Division of Elections struggle to open polling locations and provide election resources. Senate Bill 64 would ensure Alaskans who want to vote can, and it provides a pathway for people to track their ballot. This will help Alaska’s military members deployed across the globe ensure their ballots arrive and are accepted. This bill will also provide a process for ballots missing signature or witness information to be corrected.

Senate Bill 64 addresses a major issue identified in our last statewide election: delayed election results. SB 64 ensures we will get daily updates on election results, providing for greater transparency. Importantly, SB 64 also strengthens election data security measures.

Senate Bill 64 directs the Division of Elections to hire a rural community liaison to ensure all polling places across Alaska are open to voters. In the 2024 election, some polling places in Rural Alaska didn’t open and those residents’ votes were not able to be counted. I was born and raised in Nome, so seeing communities like mine unable to practice their right to vote is outrageous (and unconstitutional).

I am grateful for the leadership and collaboration of Senator Wielechowski, Representative Sarah Vance, and Representative Kevin McCabe. They worked for years to update Alaska’s voting laws. This bill has received strong bipartisan support, focusing on the shared goals of making our elections safer and more accessible for all Alaskans.

with gratitude -

Senator Löki Gale Tobin