Measure passes tying voter registration to dividend filing

ANCHORAGE — Alaska voters have approved a ballot measure that would tie voter registration to applying for a check from the state’s oil wealth nest-egg.

Under the measure, passed Tuesday, the Division of Elections would use data from applications for Alaska Permanent Fund dividends to register qualified Alaskans to vote. Those who do not want to be registered to vote would have to opt out of the process.

Supporters of the measure call it a government efficiency measure that could add about 70,000 citizens to the voting role in one year. Critics contend the measure would be an unnecessary state expense.

The measure would keep in place the other means that already exist to register to vote.

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