ANCHORAGE – The PFD Voter Registration ballot initiative group reported that their initiative is more than halfway to its goal after only ten weeks of signature gathering. Last week the group took inventory of signatures gathered, and confirmed that over 16,000 Alaskans have signed on to the PFD Voter Registration initiative.

In order for PFD Voter Registration to appear on the ballot in 2016, the campaign is responsible for submitting 28,545 signatures from registered Alaskan voters to the Lieutenant Governor before the start of the 2016 legislative session on January 19th. That’s 10% of the total number of Alaskans who voted in the last general election. The group must also ensure that its total represents 7% of the 2014 vote in 30 of Alaska’s 40 State House districts. (Attached find signature gathering requirements for 2015.)

PFD Voter Registration’s signature drive has been buoyed by a network of committed volunteers that spans from Bethel to Ketchikan (more information available at PFDvoter.com.) The campaign also set an informal record for signatures gathered during the AFN convention, which draws Alaskans from all around the state.

Scott Kohlhaas has worked on a series of successful signature drives in Alaska over the last ten years and is the state’s preeminent expert on getting initiatives on the ballot. Kohlhaas said, “This is one of the more common-sense, collaborative ballot initiatives we’ve seen in recent years, and that shows when we talk to voters. Alaskans are happy and excited to get on board with this one.”[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]

PFD Voter Registration is a ballot initiative that would synchronize voter registration with the Permanent Fund Dividend application process, reducing bureaucratic paperwork and saving on processing costs. PFD Voter Registration is projected to register as many as 70,000 Alaskans to vote in year one, and would fix out-of-date registration for tens of thousands more. The initiative is supported by a diverse coalition of Alaskans, including the ANCSA Regional Association, League of Women Voters, Great Alaska Schools, Our Alaska (statewide organization of young professionals,) and most recently, the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

Signature gatherers can be found at League of Women Voters’ headquarters, community centers, and major events around the state. Alaskans can learn more, including how to sign the initiative petition, at PFDVoter.com.

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  Alaska, ballot initiative, permanent fund, pfd, voter registration