VRM in the States: Alaska

In a November 2016 referendum, Alaskans voted to institute automatic voter registration through the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) Application. The PFD is a sum paid by the state to Alaska residents, and eligible residents must apply each year to receive it. The state implemented its automatic registration program in March 2017. Eligible voters are automatically registered to vote or have their existing registration information updated when they complete their annual PFD application. Individuals have the opportunity to select a party affiliation or decline registration via a mailer sent to them after their PFD information is received. Learn more about automatic registration here.

Prior Advances in Voter Registration Modernization

This reform builds upon Alaska’s existing voter registration modernization efforts:

• Online Voter Registration: Alaska launched online voter registration through the Division of Elections in 2015. Eligible citizens with a state driver’s license or non-driver ID can use the system to register to vote and update their registration information.

Gains from Voter Registration Modernization in Alaska

• Between the launch of online voter registration in 2015 and the November 2016 election, the state received 8,152 new voter registration applications through its online portal.