The motivation for the resolution is to increase voter turnout. It would direct the borough clerk to work with the clerks from the Cities of Fairbanks and North Pole to identify barriers and solutions for implementing mail in voting … and the impacts it might have on local elections.
The resolution asks the task force to report on its findings by December 2025.
The vast majority of those who have testified about the resolution at the last two assembly meetings, were opposed to the investigation and mail in voting in general.
Many quoted conspiracy theories floated by election denier Douglas Frank, who visited Fairbanks last December. Others voiced concerns relative to out of date voter rolls, which include military personnel and seasonal workers who fail to change their voter registrations after they leave the borough.
Vicki Armstrong and Ruben McNeil said they think there is fraud potential.
“With our filthy voter rolls all over Alaska, including Fairbanks, this is just not common sense.”
“The voter rolls are terrible; they need to be cleaned.”
Rita Trometter said using the mail would make the situation worse.
“Many ballots would be mailed to residents that are still on the voter rolls and no longer reside in the area. Mail in ballots is using snail mail. This would result in unaccountable ballots,” Trometter said.
One of a few people who spoke in support of the resolution, Bobby Burgess underscored that it’s about fact-finding.
“I’m hearing a lot of divisive comments that suggest that people are viewing this as a partisan issue when really what it's about is just researching one way to increase voter turnout and help more people to participate meaningfully in our democracy, which is a great idea to at least research,” Burgess said.
Mail-in voting is used by Golden Valley Electric Association, the Municipality of Anchorage and the City and Borough of Juneau, and it was used statewide in the fall of 2020 during the pandemic.
In April, KUAC aired a panel discussion about mail-in voting that was hosted by the League of Women Voters. A recording of that community conversation is on our website.
The mail in voting resolution is on the Assembly’s agenda for its Thursday night meeting. It doesn’t require a public hearing, but residents can comment in the open period at start of the meeting.
