Alaska Moves 3,000 Voters to Inactive List Over Citizenship

The Alaska Division of Elections moved approximately 3,048 registered voters to an inactive list after flagging them for citizenship verification ahead of the August 18 primary. The agency conducted a review by comparing voter registration records with data from the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, a process that typically flags only about 200 names.

State Director of Elections Carol Beecher testified at an Anchorage hearing that the unusually high number of flags likely resulted from outdated DMV records, particularly involving naturalized citizens who had not updated their motor vehicle files. While the division sent letters asking voters to confirm their citizenship, some individuals discovered they had already been removed from the rolls. The DMV characterized the request for this information as nonroutine.

Legislators expressed concern after reports emerged that U.S. citizens were among those flagged. Representative Andrew Gray noted that only citizens had contacted his office regarding the notices. Beecher denied that the federal government prompted the action, though the move coincides with Trump administration efforts to encourage states to tighten citizenship checks before the 2026 midterms.

Affected voters can regain active status by affirming their citizenship via phone, email, or mail without providing documentation. Those who remain on the inactive list may still cast a questioned or provisional ballot on Election Day by attesting to their citizenship under oath.