The U.S. Presidential election is ten months away and Alaskans are taking advantage of the state’s new online voter registration system which was rolled-out last November.
Josie Bahnke, director of the Division of Elections, says this was part of an ongoing effort to update the state’s system.
Bahnke: “Our old one was over 30-years-old, it was a main-framed based database and we’ve now gone to an online application. So this was, for one, to modernize our system that’s kind of the foundation of everything we do at the division but also to absolutely provide more opportunities for Alaskans to vote.”
The new system has already been used by over 592 Alaskan voters to register, update, or change their information.
Online registration fraud is not a concern to the division, according to Bahnke, because only individuals who have Alaskan identification through the Department of Motor Vehicles can apply.
Bahnke: “If they have a valid state driver’s license or state ID their signature comes along with it from DMV so there is that verification and that level of security there.”
She says those who are not registered with the DMV can print the voter registration, sign it, and mail it in just like before.