Yesterday, voters in Alaska approved a ballot measure 65% to 35% that will automatically register Alaskans to vote when they apply for Alaska Permanent Fund distributions:

Ballot measure 1 would increase the number of registered voters in the state by automatically registering Alaskans when they apply for their PFDs. . . .

Ballott measure 1 secured its position in Tuesday’s election in January, when the proposal’s sponsors submitted a petition with more than 42,000 signatures to the Alaska Division of Elections. Supporters say it’s a way to increase participation in elections, save time, and modernize state government.

But the proposal has faced opposition from many Alaskans since its inception. Critics say the program’s $942,885 price tag would be a waste of money at a time when the state is grappling with a multi-billion dollar budget deficit.

The Alaska Permanent Fund is an “annual dividend that is paid to Alaska residents from investment earnings of mineral royalties.”