With airwaves and media reports dominated by two federal races, a gubernatorial contest, 50 state legislative seats and a ballot measure to end ranked-choice voting, it could be easy for voters to overlook Ballot Measure 3.

The proposal, which will be decided on the Nov. 3 election, argues that Alaska law is unclear about whether voting is reserved for only U.S. citizens, and offers a one-word change to definitively correct any potential confusion by activist judges.

Supporters frame the proposal as a one-word edit to Alaska’s voter-qualification statute. Under current wording, a person “may” vote at any election who is a citizen of the United States (and who also meets age, residency, and registration rules). Prop. 3 would recast that opening so the statute begins with “only a person” who meets those conditions may vote. Sponsors say the current sentence leaves the citizenship-only limit dependent on how the law is interpreted, and that a later reading could open the door to noncitizen voting even though Alaska does not currently allow it.

The main group advocating for the change – Alaskans for Citizen Voting – point to San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and roughly 20 other jurisdictions that have authorized noncitizens to vote in some local contests.

These examples are offered as a warning of what might happen if activist judges interpret the word “may” to mean that citizens can vote, but non-citizens are not necessarily excluded from voting as well.

The campaign website says a yes vote would not alter the mechanics of casting a ballot, nor would there be any new identification rules, extra paperwork, added registration steps or changes for people already on the rolls. If Ballot Measure 3 passes, eligible Alaskan voters would vote the same way they do now.

Supporters of Prop. 3 include former State Senators John Coghill and Josh Revak, along with former Alaska House Speaker Mike Chenault.

They point to recent confusion in Alaska as proof that clarification is needed.

In particular, they have noted that in 2023 the state brought charges against a group of American Samoans for first degree voter misconduct in Whittier.

The accused were U.S. nationals, but not U.S. citizens. Nationals have a right to live and work in the U.S. without restrictions, but they are not allowed to vote.

Coghill has argued that clarifying the wording of current statute will make it clear that U.S. nationals cannot vote in Alaska.

TAKING ACTION

— Absentee ballots begin going out October 9, and early voting opens statewide October 19. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is October 24, and Election Day is November 3.

— Click here for more information on absentee ballots and early voting.

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