ANCHORAGE, ALASKA: On Election Day, James O’Keefe entered an Anchorage polling location, questioned election workers the name of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s brother, Brian Murkowski, and James repeatedly said he did not have identification.
After locating Brian Murkowski’s name on the voter rolls, an election worker asked O’Keefe for identification. O’Keefe said he had left it at home and asked whether it would still be possible to vote.
“Would it be possible to vote without it?” O’Keefe asked.
“Absolutely possible,” the election worker responded.
Another worker later told O’Keefe, “You can vote if you’d like to.”
Poll workers stated, “We’re trying to figure this [voting system] out.”
The workers then explained that O’Keefe could use a question ballot.
When O’Keefe asked, “All I got to do is do the question ballot then I can vote?” the worker responded, “Yes sir.”
O’Keefe did not check in as, cast a ballot as, sign Brian Murkowski’s name, or complete the question ballot. Instead, the encounter documented the process offered after he gave Brian Murkowski’s name and repeatedly said he did not have identification.
What Is an Alaska Question Ballot?
Under Title 15 of the Alaska Statutes, a question ballot can be issued when a voter cannot provide a sufficient form of identification.
A question ballot is still submitted as a voting ballot, but it may be subject to further review. According to the explanation included in the investigation, the voter fills out the ballot in the same manner as other voters.
When the ballot box is opened, the question ballot envelope is segregated, counted, compared with the voting list, and delivered to the election officials or body supervising the election for review.
OMG Journalist Offered Question Ballot Using Murkowski State Director’s Name
At another polling location, a member of the OMG team gave election workers the name Karina Waller, Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s state director, and said she did not have identification.
The election worker located Waller’s information and confirmed that the journalist was at the correct polling location.
When the journalist said she did not have ID, the worker offered the question ballot process.
Again, the investigation documented the option being offered. The rough cut does not show the OMG journalist casting a ballot under Waller’s name.
Murkowski and the SAVE Act
The investigation comes as Sen. Lisa Murkowski remains opposed to the SAVE Act.
Murkowski has stated concerns include the possibility that voter documentation requirements could disenfranchise or alienate voters in rural parts of Alaska and create logistical challenges for some Alaskans.
Lisa Murkowski is now calling for the prosecution of O’Keefe.
The OMG team traveled to Alaska to investigate the state’s existing voting procedures.
OMG has reached out for comment to Brian Murkowski, Lisa Murkowski, and Karina Waller.
OMG went to Alaska to document what happens when someone shows up at the polls without identification and gives the name of someone already on the voter rolls.
If you’ve witnessed fraud in your community or have information, contact us at [email protected] or message us on Signal at 914-491-9395.
