State law already is clearer than a cloudless day in Southeast; as clear as the March 31 annual filing deadline for an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend; and just as clear as the TSA rule against weapons in your carry-on bags: A person must be a U.S. citizen to vote in Alaska elections. 

State statute lists five specific, clear and concise qualifications to vote. A person must be a U.S. citizen; at least 18 years old; a resident of the state for at least 30 days; registered with the Division of Elections; and not registered anywhere else.

Nothing unclear in any of those requirements. But a group of former Republican state legislators, copying from a national political effort, want Alaska voters on Nov. 3 to add the word “only” to state law.

Ballot Measure 3 in the statewide election is a citizens initiative looking to capitalize on national politics and chasing after a problem that does not exist. Adding the word “only” to statute would make it read: “Only a person may vote at any election who is a citizen of the United States.”

It doesn’t clear up anything because there is nothing to clear up. The law already says a person must be a citizen to vote. It’s only just a word to make some people feel better that they stood up to prevent non-citizens from voting, even though there is no recent evidence, no prosecution in Alaska of non-citizens purposely and consciously going to the polls, knowing they would be breaking the law.

Supporters of the ballot measure say it “makes Alaska law unmistakably clear.” As if the citizenship provision in state law isn’t clear enough. Supporters also say the change would “ensure that Alaska’s election system remains straightforward and easier to run.” Those last two excuses sound like supporters trying to dress up their ballot measure to look like a government efficiency effort.

One of the three sponsors of the initiative, former Fairbanks Sen. John Coghill, said adding the word “only” closes a gap in the law. The point, he said at a hearing this summer, “is to close that door before it gets pushed open.”

Seems it would be pretty hard to push open a door that already says a person must be a citizen to vote. That door already is locked and doesn’t need a chain or extra deadbolt.

Voters should vote no and show Ballot Measure 3 to the door.