A group of former Alaska State Republican lawmakers submitted a citizen’s initiative to the Lt. Governor’s office which, which if passed by voters, would clarify that “only” U.S. citizens can vote in Alaska state and local elections.
Current Alaska law states a person “may vote” at any election who is a U.S. citizen, but it does not rule out that others might vote as well. By unequivocally stating “only U.S. citizens can vote,” the proposed wording explicitly excludes non-citizens from the vote, and leaves activist judges with little wiggle room to rule that non-citizens could vote as well.
The three sponsors of the initiative are former State Senators John Coghill of Fairbanks and Josh Revak of Anchorage, along with former Rep. Mike Chenault of Kenai. The trio submitted the petition application, along with more than the required 150 signatures from Alaska voters.
“As a former Alaska State House and Senate Judiciary Chair, and someone whose father served as a Delegate in Alaska’s Constitutional Convention, it is clear that the framers of our state’s constitution intended that the voting privilege should only be granted to U.S. citizens,” Sen. Coghill stated upon filing the application.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Chenault said the initiative is about restoring “common sense” to election law.
“Since not all courts demonstrate common sense, we intend to make the law clear,” he stated.
Revak added that the initiative is about honoring those who have followed the law to legally vote in Alaska.
“The right to vote is a privilege that is central to our democracy,” he stated. “My wife immigrated to the U.S. Our family advocates for those seeking to become a citizen through naturalization. Allowing noncitizens the privileges that naturalized citizens have worked hard to earn is a slap in the face and a devaluation of what it means to be an American.”
If certified by the lieutenant governor, sponsors will begin a statewide signature-gathering effort requiring tens of thousands of verified Alaskan voters. The goal is to put the initiative before voters in 2026.
This initiative ensures Alaska’s elections reflect the will of Alaskan citizens and protects the value of citizenship.
8 Comments
One vote with ID on Election Day.
When I registered to vote I was issued a voter registration card. I carry it in my wallet. It should be all the voter ID I need. My driver’s license has my photo on it, and I can provide that as additional verification, but not all eligible voters have driver’s licenses.
Unless a person has a government issued (photo) identification fraud will prevail. I can’t imagine someone that doesn’t have some form of government issued identification. If not, then congress should mandate all EBT cards, Medicaid, or any government subsidy benefit be issued with a photo ID.
Well, Steve, I suppose the federal government should implement a program to make sure that all legal citizens get some form of photo ID. Of course, given that election regulations are handled on a state-by-state basis, so the project may be a bit more complicated than you think. Personally I think the Electoral College is obsolete in this day and age. People often respond by saying, “I don’t want California and New York determining elections!” …. as if those states vote as single party blocs. They don’t. The popular vote is all that should matter, not the states those votes come from.
You’re right. However… You are wrong on photo ID. State of Alaska issues state ID for purposes such as this. In this day and age if you want to:
Travel on a commercial airplane, need ID.
Buy alcohol, need ID.
Buy tobacco, need ID.
Buy firearms, need ID.
Apply for social security or public assistance, need ID.
Open a bank account, need ID.
Thanks for putting this in. Yes, one vote and ID requirement.
Steve. There is nearly zero evidence of voter fraud because of mail in ballots. However, there are billions of pages of evidence of Trump and elected traitors trying to change the outcome of the 2020 election.
You sure about that…? Stacy Abrams seems to be an expert at it. /s