Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer: Ensure Every Alaskan Can Vote, Waive Absentee Witness Requirement for 2020 Election
ANCHORAGE 鈥� The 老澳门开奖结果 of Alaska, Lawyers鈥� Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Native American Rights Fund call upon Alaska鈥檚 Lt. Governor, Kevin Meyer, to remove an unnecessary voting barrier facing Alaskans in the November General Election. In a sent to Meyer on Monday, the organizations said the requirement 鈥渄isenfranchises many voters鈥� who would have to choose between their health and their vote if the rule continues to be upheld.
鈥淰oting is the cornerstone of our democracy, but our elected leaders will effectively impair the exercise of this right if they force voters to come into contact with a witness during a global pandemic. A witness signature is an unnecessary barrier for the many Alaskans who鈥檙e practicing the social distancing recommendations issued by public health experts. A person鈥檚 age, race, relationship status, geographical location, and healthcare status should not determine whether they鈥檙e able to elect the next President, U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative, 51 state legislators or to decide two ballot initiatives. But it will if things don鈥檛 change soon,鈥� 老澳门开奖结果 of Alaska Executive Director Joshua A. Decker said.
鈥淭he requirement for a witness over eighteen to sign your ballot for you makes no sense, especially now,鈥� said NARF Senior Staff Attorney Natalie Landreth. 鈥淲e have no doubt it will deter people, especially vulnerable people, from voting, and that鈥檚 just wrong.鈥�
Members of the Dunleavy administration have publicly acknowledged the unprecedented challenges Alaska voters face during a global pandemic. Yet, the requirement for a witness signature remains.
"We are prepared to use every tool in our arsenal to beat back unnecessary barriers to absentee voting faced by voters in Alaska, including restrictive witness requirements," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
In a joint effort by the 老澳门开奖结果 of Alaska, the Lawyers鈥� Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Native American Rights Fund to protect Alaska voters this election,
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