Adam,

Because Alaska is covered statewide under Section 4(f)(4) for Alaska Native languages and for certain other languages under Section 203 of the VRA, the state must provide language assistance regarding the ability of voters to cast write-in ballots and the procedure for doing so (especially voter instructions on how to cast a write-in vote).  Poll workers can certainly provide that information without electioneering (e.g., saying how to cast a write-in without mentioning candidate names).

Section 208 permits a voter's assistant of choice (with a few narrow exceptions) to help cast a write-in ballot.

Also, voters should be permitted to bring in any material that helps them cast their write-in vote (especially how to spell a  candidate's name).  Voters can share that material with other voters who want it to assist them, but they will have to do so outside the polling place to avoid electioneering.

Bottom line:  election officials must ensure that voters have the information they need to cast a vote that reflects their judgment, including any write-in vote.

Regards,

Jim Tucker



Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Bonin, Adam C." <ABonin@cozen.com>
Sender: election-law-bounces@mailman.lls.edu
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:49:21 
To: Rick Hasen<Rick.Hasen@lls.edu>; Election Law<election-law@mailman.lls.edu>
Subject: [EL] Alaska Question

_______________________________________________
election-law mailing list
election-law@mailman.lls.edu
http://mailman.lls.edu/mailman/listinfo/election-law


_______________________________________________
election-law mailing list
election-law@mailman.lls.edu
http://mailman.lls.edu/mailman/listinfo/election-law