First, it was attacks on healthcare, then clean energy – Alaskans have spent the summer fighting back against an onslaught of federal rollbacks. Now, Trump has found a new target: mail-in voting. Earlier this week, Trump promised to lead a movement to “end” both mail ballots and voting machines, claiming they’re corrupt and should be eliminated with an executive order. He also echoed a false claim, originating from his meeting with Vladimir Putin, that the U.S. is the only country still using mail-in voting and the 2020 election was rigged because of absentee ballots. In reality, at least 34 countries allow postal voting to some degree and Trump lost the election fair and square.

We know that voting by mail is safe, secure, and increases voter turnout. We also know that the President lacks the authority to impose a nationwide ban on mail-in voting. It’s up to state legislatures, and to some extent Congress, to establish election laws. So the future of voting by mail lies in the hands of our local and state elected leaders. 

Unfortunately, voting by mail isn’t a perfect system in Alaska. Our June 2022 all-by-mail Special Primary Election resulted in tens of thousands of absentee ballots being rejected, primarily due to technical errors, such as missing witness signatures. In some areas, rejection rates reached 15–17%, particularly across rural and Alaska Native communities. In House District 38 in Western Alaska (covering Bethel and surrounding Yukon-Kuskokwim villages), roughly one in six ballots were discarded, an alarming trend that raised serious concerns about voter disenfranchisement in rural Alaska. Despite these challenges, our vote-by-mail system isn’t flawed due to fraud – it’s flawed because the policies we currently have in place create barriers to voting. 

That’s why the Alaska Legislature spent this past session debating an omnibus elections bill that would have gone a long way towards fixing the flawed vote-by-mail system. Lawmakers considered smart reforms like prepaid postage, ballot curing, and eliminating the unnecessary witness requirement, steps that would make voting easier for everyone, particularly rural Alaskans. The bill stalled, but the momentum was clear: Alaskans want a system that works for all voters, not one that leaves people behind. 

Our leaders have gaveled out, but they are still listening closely to what their constituents want to see next session. If you have ever had your ballot rejected, experienced barriers to voting, or want to ensure all Alaskans have a voice, please fill out this form. One of our organizers will then reach out to help you share your story. Even one or two voices can sway a decision maker.