I feel a close connection to many of you. As a former senator, I know how important your voice is in shaping the issues that affect you. When I spent months at a time in Juneau each session, I always stayed connected to my constituents, seeking input regularly and keeping them informed. Those steps were essential to doing my job well.

I recently learned of a troubling situation that affects all Alaskans. That is why I am personally reaching out to you today. The Division of Elections has sent disenrollment notices to Alaskans registered with the Alaskan Independence Party (AIP), giving them just 30 days to choose a new political affiliation or be reclassified as “undeclared.” This followed a vote by members of the AIP executive board to dissolve the party in December of last year. This action was taken without ever consulting, notifying, or seeking input from its 19,117 registered AIP members. Many are asking, “How is this even possible?”

I have agreed with the AIP for years in resisting federal overreach and have always firmly supported states’ rights and access to our promised lands, resources, industry, management rights and mineral rights. As a Republican, I’m running for governor to reassert these same core principles and make real progress on this front, but today I am writing to express concern over what I see as slippage of Alaska’s shared values. What happened to consent, fairness, transparency?

A handful of people should never have the power to silence the voice of thousands of Alaskans who voluntarily chose to affiliate with a party.

In reviewing what has occurred, I am – like many other concerned voters and citizens – baffled. Alaska State law (AS 15.80.008 & 15.80.010) recognizes a political party when it has more than 5,000 registered voters, which the AIP clearly meets. Article I, Section 5 of the Alaska Constitution protects the right of free assembly and association. When a person selects a political party, it is an expression of this protected freedom. There is no statutory power that provides a party’s board with the authority to unilaterally erase a party’s recognized status or strip voters of their affiliation.

Those of you who were registered AIP members, I feel for you. There is something disconcerting about losing your political “family.” Especially when you have no part in the decision process, and it occurs so swiftly: here today and gone tomorrow. As a former senator, I can relate, as I remember being unceremoniously booted as a senator from the majority caucus by “leadership” for voting to follow the PFD law on behalf of my district – all of a sudden, an orphan.

A few AIP leaders voting to disenfranchise more than 19,000 Alaskans without notification and input was wrong. A handful of people should never have the power to silence the voice of thousands of Alaskans who voluntarily chose to affiliate with a party. Your voice matters. Choosing a political affiliation is a direct way you as an Alaskans exercise your voice.

I want those of you who are now political orphans to know two things. First, your stand against federal overreach and your stand for state rights is a noble one, a correct one. I’m a Republican, and I agree with you. Secondly, as Governor, my approach to the status of the AIP would be very different. A 30-day window is wholly inadequate. I would issue an executive order to extend this window for you to have time to figure out next steps, to regroup, or whatever you chose as the best path forward. My Lieutenant Governor would consult with my Attorney General to ensure your constitutional protections are not violated. I would fight for your right for due process and for your right to be heard. You have my word.

Together, we can ensure that processes like this always include you. We can make sure decisions are not made quietly without your involvement. Again, this is about Alaskans’ shared values: fairness, consent and transparency. We must guard them. We must uphold them, because every voice matters.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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