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Absentee Ballot Bill Passes House
Coghill's HB 109 Would Protect Against Election Worker Mistakes

(JUNEAU) -- The House of Representatives today unanimously passed House Bill 109, which ensures that Alaskans casting absentee ballots in person will not have their ballots invalidated due to a minor mistake by an elections worker.

Rep. John Coghill, Jr. (R-Fairbanks) introduced HB 109 to ensure absentee ballots presented in person will count even if election workers fail to properly fill out or sign the paperwork accompanying such ballots, he said.

"Because of high voter turnouts there have been a couple of instances when Alaska citizens have received a letter from the Division of Elections informing them that their ballot was not counted because the questioned or absentee ballot was not filled out properly," said Coghill.

Coghill emphasized that his bill is intended not to cast blame on poll workers, who are conscientious, public-minded citizens. Rather, he said, the bill is simply designed to protect voters from the human mistakes that can occur during the stress and confusion of busy election days.

HB 109 passes next to the Senate for consideration.

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Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for HB 109
  
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 101 K

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