Alaska Measure 6, English as Official State Language Initiative (1998)

Alaska Measure 6
Election date November 3, 1998
Topic English language policy
Status Approved
Type Indirect initiated state statute	Origin Citizens

Alaska Measure 6 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Alaska on November 3, 1998. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported making English the official language of Alaska and requiring all government functions, actions, and documents to be conducted in English, with exceptions.

A "no" vote opposed making English the official language of Alaska and requiring all government functions, actions, and documents to be conducted in English, with exceptions.

Election results

Alaska Measure 6
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		153,107	68.60%
No		70,085	31.40%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Measure 6 was as follows:

“

This bill requires the state to use English in all government functions and actions. State records must be in English. "The state" means the legislature, all state agencies, local governments, school districts, public corporations and the university. Those entities may use non-English languages for international trade, emergencies, teaching languages, court suits, criminal inquiries, for elected officials to talk to constituents or to comply with federal law. Costs of non-English records must be identified. Persons who speak only English may not be denied state jobs or services. The bill does not affect private sector use of non-English languages. SHOULD THIS INITIATIVE BECOME LAW?

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Support

Arguments

• Former Attorney General Edgar Paul Boyko, chairperson of Alaskans for a Common Language: "As Americans and Alaskans, we share a commitment to democracy, equality, and freedom. But that shared commitment is only possible if we have a common language that allows us to talk to each other. Like our flag, the pledge of allegiance, and our national anthem, English as our official language is a symbol. These symbols remind Americans and Alaskans of every race, religion, and background of what we all have in common."

Opposition

Arguments

• Jennifer Rudinger, executive director of the Alaska Civil Liberties Union: "For all practical purposes, English already is the common language in Alaska. This proposed English-Only law merely fosters divisiveness by saying to our indigenous and non-English speaking residents that they are not accepted in Alaska, even though many non-English languages and cultures predate English."

Background

See also: History of English as official language ballot measures and laws

The following is a list of state ballot measures to designate English as an official state language:

State official language ballot measures
State	Year	Measure	Origin	Language(s)	Yes	No	Outcome
Nebraska	1920	Amendment 3: English as Official State Language	Convention	English	83.63%	16.37%	a
Hawaii	1978	Amendment 31: Preamble, Official Languages, and Motto Measure	Convention	English and Hawaiian	69.72%	30.28%	a
California	1986	Proposition 63: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	73.25%	26.75%	a
Arizona	1988	Proposition 106: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	50.50%	49.50%	a
Colorado	1988	Amendment 1: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	61.15%	38.85%	a
Florida	1988	Amendment 11: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	83.87%	16.13%	a
Alabama	1990	Amendment 1: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	88.52%	11.48%	a
Alaska	1998	Measure 6: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	68.60%	31.40%	a
Utah	2000	Initiative A: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	67.18%	32.82%	a
Arizona	2006	Proposition 103: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	74.00%	26.00%	a
Missouri	2008	Amendment 1: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	86.31%	13.69%	a
Oklahoma	2010	State Question 751: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	75.54%	24.46%	a
Idaho	2026	HJR 6: English as Official State Language Amendment	Legislature	English	TBD	TBD	TBD

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Alaska

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Alaska, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last general election. Furthermore, proponents need to collect signatures in each of three-fourths (30) of Alaska's 40 state House districts. Signatures from each of the districts need to equal 7% of the districtwide vote in the last general election.

If the lieutenant governor certifies enough signatures as valid, the Alaska State Legislature can approve the indirect initiative or equivalent legislation, keeping the measure off the ballot. Otherwise, the initiative is certified to appear on the ballot for the first statewide election 120 days after the legislature's adjournment. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

See also

1998 Measures

• 1998 Measures
• English language policy on the ballot
• 1998 legislative sessions

Alaska

• Alaska ballot measures
• Alaska ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• 1998 Alaska Voter Guide