CS HB 178 Summary

• Allows persons residing outside the United States to register and vote absentee if their parent or legal guardian was domiciled in Alaska before leaving the country.

• Removes requirements for election officials or witnesses to attest absentee voter certificates; voters signing certificates alone satisfies attestation requirements.

• Changes primary election date from fourth Tuesday to second Tuesday in August of even-numbered years.

• Extends application deadlines for absentee ballots to 22 days before election for election supervisors (previously 15 days) and allows absent uniformed services and overseas voters to apply for electronic absentee ballots year-round.

• Extends candidate withdrawal deadlines and party petition filing deadlines from 48 days to 52-64 days before elections for primary and general elections.