Alaska Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Measure to Ban Noncitizen Voting

Alaska Voters Overwhelmingly Pass Measure That Does Nothing

Alaskans have overwhelmingly approved Ballot Measure 3, a new state law prohibiting noncitizens from voting. A different Alaska law already prohibits noncitizen voting, as does federal law. When enacted, Ballot Measure 3 will not change existing practice, according to an analysis by the Alaska Department of Law, which said in October that “the bill proposed by (the ballot measure) would not change the qualifications to vote.” With 399 of 400 precincts reporting results at 1:09 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, 69.6% of participating voters were in favor of Ballot Measure 3.

With 399 of 400 precincts reporting results at 1:09 p.m. A trio of Republican former Alaska state legislators sponsored the initiative. Former House Speaker Mike Chenault of Nikiski and former state senators John Coghill of Fairbanks and Josh Revak of Anchorage sponsored the initiative as the group Alaskans for Citizen Voting. They say current state law is unclear and should be updated to clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote.

A Symbolic Victory

The sponsors celebrated the result as a clear mandate. “Alaskans have spoken clearly,” said Coghill, the measure’s primary sponsor, in a statement. “The passage of Ballot Measure 3 affirms the importance of citizenship as a fundamental qualification for voting in our elections. We are grateful to the thousands of Alaskans who signed petitions, volunteered their time, and helped bring this important question before the voters.”

Alaska Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Measure to Ban Noncitizen Voting — Photo: sitkasentinel.com

The Alaska Department of Law’s own analysis, a key document in this debate, highlights the redundancy of the new law. Their finding that the measure “would not change the qualifications to vote” is the central fact that frames the entire debate.

So, what happens next? Not much. The law will be enacted. It will be on the books.

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