Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB19

HB 19: Changes to Election Committee Appointments and Campaign Rules

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill changes how election committee members are chosen by including political groups with the most registered voters, updates rules for who can appoint watchers at polls, sets new deadlines for campaign contributions, expands financial reporting requirements for certain candidates, and clarifies what counts as a contribution.

Changes the law so that election supervisors must appoint committee members from the two political parties or groups with the largest number of registered voters in the preceding gubernatorial election.
Allows an election supervisor to appoint qualified individuals who are not affiliated with the top two groups if those groups fail to submit nominees by specific deadlines.
Updates rules allowing organizations that sponsor or oppose ballot measures, such as initiatives and referendums, to appoint watchers at polling places after getting authorization from the director.
Sets a deadline of 18 months before an election for when contributions can no longer be made to candidates running in general, special, or municipal elections.
Prohibits making contributions to candidates more than 45 days after a primary or special primary if they were not chosen to appear on the ballot, and bans all contributions after the date of the general or runoff election.
Requires write-in candidates for state executive or legislative offices to file campaign disclosure reports during the year an election is scheduled.
Clarifies that 'contribution' includes payments, loans, gifts of money, goods, or services made to influence elections or ballot questions.

Election supervisors who appoint members to state and district committees
Political parties and political groups with registered voters in Alaska
Candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, or state representative
Write-in candidates for state executive or legislative offices
Organizations that sponsor or oppose ballot measures like initiatives and referendums

The official text provided ends abruptly while listing what is not included in the definition of a contribution.
The effective date for when these changes take place is not listed in the source material.
The bill status shows it was referred to committees, but does not confirm if final passage or governor approval has occurred.

Plain language

Election Supervisor: The official responsible for appointing members to election committees.
Watcher: A person appointed by a party, candidate, or organization to observe voting and counting at polling places.
Contribution: Money, goods, services, loans, or promises of payment made to influence an election outcome or ballot question.

Official record

Source checked

Read the official summary

ELECTIONS: REVERSE BALLOT MEASURE 2 An Act relating to elections.

Official activity