Rep. Ky Holland May 1, 2026
I posted the following on Facebook and wanted to share my thoughts here and the House Majority Statement:
It’s incredibly disappointing to see a truly bipartisan, bicameral election reform bill SB 64 vetoed—especially after years of hard work, negotiation, and compromise from members of both caucuses in both chambers.
No one got everything they wanted. That’s the point. It was a real improvement, built the right way: together.
Alaskans want less division and more cooperation. Then, when legislators actually do the work—roll up their sleeves, find common ground, and deliver a broadly supported solution—it gets vetoed.
That doesn’t encourage collaboration. It rewards the exact kind of division and political gamesmanship people are tired of.
I’ll be working with my colleagues to bring this back for an override.
We have serious challenges ahead—fiscal stability, economic development, and long-term growth. If we can’t come together to fix something as straightforward as improving our election system, how are we going to tackle the hard problems?
Alaskans deserve better than unnecessary fights over practical solutions.
Below is the House Majority Statement.
Ky
House Majority issues statement on Governor’s veto of SB 64
JUNEAU, AK – Today, Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed Senate Bill 64, a move the House Majority characterizes as a significant setback for election integrity and a direct blow to voting access for Alaskans living in rural and off-road communities. The legislation, which passed both bodies with bipartisan support, was designed to modernize the state’s aging election infrastructure and fix systemic barriers that have historically disenfranchised rural residents.
“The Governor’s veto of SB 64 is deeply disappointing,” said House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Anchorage). “This was a bipartisan effort to address the real challenges of voting in a state as vast, rural and remote as Alaska. We worked in good faith to improve access, strengthen transparency, and maintain the integrity of our elections. Alaskans deserve a system that reflects our unique geography, not one that ignores it. This veto does exactly that.”
“We brought forward a common-sense, bipartisan election reform that addressed both security and accessibility,” said Rep. Calvin Schrage (NP-Anchorage). “It is disappointing to see this effort to empower Alaskan voters and ensure election integrity be met with a veto pen. Alaskans deserve a system they can trust, and that requires proactive reform, not the status quo.”
“Rural Alaska is the hardest place in this state to vote,” said Rep. Nellie Unangiq Jimmie (D-Toksook Bay). “Everyone who has looked at the data knows that. We passed a bill to clean up our rolls and remove barriers. It will not become law today. My people have been patient with systems that were not built for us, distances that were not considered, delays inevitable in rural areas beyond our control. So today, the problem doesn’t away. Neither do we.”
CONTACT
Chloe Pleznac, House Majority Press
Alaska House Majority Coalition
Chloe.Pleznac@akleg.gov