Billionaire Funds Alaska Citizenship Ballot Measure
Richard Uihlein has contributed over $800,000 to support a measure affirming existing state voting requirements.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Elections
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Billionaire Richard Uihlein has funneled more than $800,000 into a campaign for Alaska Ballot Measure 3. The initiative aims to codify into state law a requirement that only United States citizens may participate in elections.
Why it matters
The measure serves as a preemptive affirmation of current state statutes, though it is not expected to change existing voting practices or requirements in Alaska. Proponents are utilizing significant out-of-state funding to secure a place for the proposal on the ballot.
The campaign has spent over $400,000 since September and paid $75,000 to Alaska lobbyist David Parish. An additional $400,000 was directed to a Colorado-based firm for the collection of 40,000 signatures.
The players
Richard Uihlein
He is an Illinois-based billionaire and donor who serves as a significant financial backer for conservative causes and political initiatives.
David Parish
He is an Alaska-based lobbyist who was hired by the initiative group to provide professional representation for their efforts.
Americans for Citizen Voting
This is a national political organization that coordinates spending and advocacy to promote citizenship-based voting requirements.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who recently held a political rally in the city of Wasilla.
The details
The campaign is operated through the national organization Americans for Citizen Voting to push for the ballot initiative. While current Alaska law already restricts voting to citizens, the measure seeks to explicitly confirm this standard in state code.
Timeline
Last year, the initiative group hired Alaska lobbyist David Parish.
The campaign has spent more than $400,000 since September.
Donald Trump held a rally in Wasilla earlier this month.
Political Context
Opponents of the measure argue that it is a redundant effort given that current Alaska state election statutes already prohibit non-citizen voting. They suggest that the campaign serves as a symbolic gesture rather than a necessary reform of the democratic process.
The proposed ballot measure will not change how Alaskans currently register to vote or participate in elections. Residents can expect the status quo to remain in effect regardless of the vote's outcome.
The takeaway
The campaign demonstrates how significant outside financial resources can be deployed to place symbolic measures on state ballots. Voters should review the specific language of the initiative to understand how it interacts with existing state laws before casting their ballots.
Further reading
For more on upcoming state initiatives, visit Alaska Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Anchorage Daily News.
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