CS for House Bill 115(STA) - Permanent Absentee Voting

• Establishes a permanent absentee voting option allowing qualified Alaska voters to apply in person, by mail, or electronically to receive absentee ballots automatically for all state elections.

• Requires the director of elections to send absentee ballots to permanent absentee voters by first-class mail no later than 15 days before each election, unless mail is undeliverable.

• Automatically removes a voter's permanent absentee status if they do not vote or appear to vote in any primary, special, or general election for four consecutive calendar years.

• Expands criminal penalties for unlawful interference with voting to include violations related to permanent absentee voting applications, such as supplying forms with incorrect party affiliations or submitting applications through intermediaries who could delay or intercept them.

• Takes effect January 1, 2011, except for regulatory adoption provisions which take effect immediately.