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Regarding: Initiative to repeal ELF

March 23, 2005

Dear Ms. Glaiser:

Attached are the signatures of three prime sponsors and approximately 200 co-sponsors of a petition proposing the repeal of that portion of Alaska's statutes commonly known as ELF, or The Economic Limit Factor. See attached petition for details.

In consideration of the newly adopted amendment to Alaska's Constitution, requiring that a broader spectrum of Alaska's registered voters be included in the petitioning process, it seems appropriate that the Division of Elections do its part by using whatever technology is conveniently available to enable a greater number of Alaskan's to participate.

Many areas of Alaska's statutes and administrative codes have been increasingly modernized to enable the conduct of business by electronic means; first by telegraph, then by teleconference, then telephonic facsimile, and most recently, the internet.

Unless one believes one could convince a court that the objective in passing the amendment referenced above was to impede rather than expand voter participation in the petitioning process; unless one believes that the amendment was meant to curtail rather than enhance the public's ability to petition its government, then arguably, the Division of Elections has a compelling duty to make all reasonable efforts to ease the difficulty in distributing petitions to Alaska's roadless areas.

The State has had no difficulty enabling Alaska's citizens to send secure documents, with verifiable sources, to state agencies over the internet. For example, voters may register using an internet print out followed by fax or mail. PFD applications can be made over the internet. Secure job applications are sent to Work Place Alaska through the internet. There is no reason the Division of Elections cannot employ similar technologies in the distribution and collection of petitions and there are many reasons that failure to do so could be considered negligent dilatory and/or obstructionist.

In consideration of the above I respectfully request that your office schedule hearings to consider the adoption of regulations enabling the distribution and collection of our petition to repeal ELF, over the internet.

Sincerely Yours

Ray Metcalfe
Chairman of the RMP