‘How can you stand here on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day?’ Sullivan challenged on voter ID bill during Juneau visit
- Mark Sabbatini
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Alaska senator defends co-sponsorship of SAVE Act in response to concerns it will make voting harder for rural residents; bill has passed House, but is expected to fail in Senate
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s co-sponsorship of a bill requiring in-person proof of citizenship to register to vote was challenged following an hour-long speech to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
"How can you stand here on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day as a co-sponsor of the SAVE America votes act knowing that it is definitely going to remove tens of thousands of Alaskans, specifically rural Alaskans, to get to the polls?" Elizabeth Figus, a Juneau resident, asked during a question-and-answer period in The Hangar On The Wharf’s ballroom. "Because if it requires them to go to election centers in Southeast Alaska, Juneau is the only one."
Sullivan, R-Alaska, responded by noting he has sponsored resolutions declaring Feb. 16 "National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day" for the past three years. Also, he said the bill has seen changes, such as allowing tribal IDs as valid documents, that will address some concerns raised by Alaskans.
"I do also think that the ability to show an ID and proof of citizenship to keep elections is safe is important," he said.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which passed the U.S. House on Thursday by a 220-208 vote, is part of an overhaul of election procedures sought by President Donald Trump as he continues to make unsubstantiated claims about rigged elections.
The bill effectively eliminates mail-only registrations since proof of citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate, would have to be presented “in person to the office of the appropriate election official.” People once registered must provide a photo ID in each federal election to receive a ballot and would need to include a photocopy of their voter ID when mailing in ballots.
The SAVE Act also allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to seize voter rolls in any state. Questions have been raised during the past week about Alaska turning over voter rolls containing confidential personal data and agreeing the U.S. Justice Department can flag names the state will be directed to remove.
Sullivan's office did not respond to questions from the Juneau Independent on Tuesday about the in-person registration requirement and if he supports federal oversight of Alaska’s voter rolls.
Democratic lawmakers have stated the bill’s intent is to decrease the number of voters who typically support their party and cast doubt on the election process despite data showing little evidence of fraud as described by the bill’s supporters. Opponents of the bill also say it violates the U.S. Constitution, which authorizes states to determine the “times, places and manner” of federal elections.
U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, was among the House members voting in favor of the bill. He told Alaska Public Media that Congress has some authority to alter election regulations and the SAVE Act is within those parameters.
The bill is not expected to pass the Senate, with media reports using phrases ranging from "uphill battle" to "no path forward" to characterize its prospects. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has stated she opposes the bill and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said no procedural effort will be made to skirt the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
