Division of Election officials have already approved sending absentee ballot applications to every registered voter over the age of 65 prior to the August primary elections, but now one legislator wants those ballots going to all eligible voters.
“The COVID-19 pandemic will not be gone by the August primary elections, nor will the virus decide to take a holiday for the occasion,” said Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka, co-chair of the House State Affairs Committee. “If we can help it, we should avoid bringing together large groups of people. I urge DOE to distribute absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in Alaska to reduce the risk to public health.”
Kreiss-Tomkins urged absentee ballot options for all Monday, June 15, after the daily count of new COVID-19 cases in Alaska ran in double digits for several days.
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer has acknowledged particular concerns for the safety of older voters during the pandemic, standing in close proximity, using touch screens and handling ballots, because of the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19.
