Fishing net in the water.

Vote No on 1

NANA’s Board Urges You to Vote No on Ballot Measure 1

The Alaska Constitution requires that, every 10 years, Alaskan voters decide whether to hold a constitutional convention. This year, that vote will be taken through Ballot Measure 1 in the Nov. 8 general election.

Holding a constitutional convention could negatively impact rural Alaska and the Native community.

Why is the constitutional convention an issue this year?

The Alaska Constitution requires that, every 10 years, Alaskan voters decide whether to hold a constitutional convention. This year, that vote will be taken through Ballot Measure 1 in the Nov. 8 general election.

What’s at stake?

NANA’s board is concerned that holding a constitutional convention could negatively impact rural Alaska and the Native community. The potential risks of a constitutional convention could involve negative impacts to:

  • Subsistence rights.
  • Water rights.
  • Power cost equalization.
  • Rural education funding.
  • Privacy rights.
  • Fish and game management.
  • Redistricting.
  • Tribal rights.
  • Gun rights.
  • Environmental regulation.

What are some other reasons to Vote No on 1?

  • A constitutional convention would cost Alaskans millions of dollars.
  • A convention opens the entire constitution to potential changes and will create years of economic and political uncertainty at a time when Alaska needs stability.
  • A convention and its delegates may not agree on meaningful changes. If they do agree, there is no guarantee those changes would be beneficial — or that Alaskans would vote to approve them.

Does Alaska’s constitution need to be changed?

Alaska has one of the strongest constitutions in the nation, and it has served our state well for the past 60 years. Alaskans have consistently voted against a constitutional convention to update the constitution and have instead opted for the more targeted and transparent constitutional amendment process.

Has Alaska ever approved a constitutional convention before?

Alaska’s constitution was ratified in 1956. Since then, the question to open the constitution has appeared on the ballot five times and each time voters have rejected holding a constitutional convention.

If voters approve a constitutional convention, how would delegates be chosen and when would it be held?

Alaskans would vote on convention delegate candidates in the November 2024 general election. Any legally qualified Alaska voter may run as a candidate to be a delegate. A convention would take place sometime after that. Any changes to the constitution would be voted on in the 2026 statewide general election, unless the state legislature calls for an expensive special election to approve the changes earlier.

Resources

Alaskan Voter Information

Media inquiries: Beth Rue, sr. director, communications, (907) 265-2799 or news@nana.com

Shareholders with comments and/or questions: Elizabeth Niiqsik Ferguson, regional affairs manager, (907) 782-8717