Legislation became law that creates criteria for the state to recognize political parties. For future election cycles, the Division of Elections will now automatically recognize parties with at least 5,000 registered voters. Currently, political parties gain or maintain official recognition by having registered voters equal to at least 3% of the total votes cast for a governor, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House in the last election, depending on which office was on the ballot that year. The new registered voter threshold will be adjusted every ten years based on census data.
Bill sponsor Sen. Bill Wielechowski said earlier this year:
“The number varies pretty significantly, and it varies depending on whether or not it’s a presidential year. At which time, the numbers would be higher and then they drop down, typically, in the midterm elections, but if it’s a very active election and there’s a lot of interest, as we saw in 2020. The numbers can spike up fairly dramatically. In fact, from 2018-2020, the numbers spiked at 27%. What this bill does is just sets a simple threshold of 5,000 registered voters. In the judiciary committee, that was amended just to relook at that number every ten years. That’s why you see in the bill the reference to 2030.”
Sen. Wielechowski added:
“Since Ballot Measure 2 eliminated party primaries, the only offices for which recognized political parties will get automatic ballot access are president and vice president. Parties with more than 5,000 registered voters have never had problems achieving ballot access by petition and it’s expected this bill will actually save the state a little bit of money from having the division of elections having to take the time and expense to process petitions.”
Currently, the Democratic, Republican, and Alaskan Independence Parties are the only officially recognized parties. Under SB 161, the Alaska Libertarian party would also have official status.
The recognized political parties have the right to purchase two pages in the Official Election Pamphlet which is mailed to all registered voters, to nominate poll workers and election board members, and to have observers present at polling places and counting centers. Additionally, there are different campaign finance limits and reporting requirements for recognized and unrecognized parties.
The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2023 and will be in place for the 2024 election cycle.