Recognized political party status.

(a) A political group that the director has not recognized as a political party may obtain recognized political party status if, on or before May 31 of the election year for which the political group seeks recognition, the political group (1) files an application with the director;

(2) submits bylaws to the director and the United States Department of Justice as required of political parties in AS 15.25.014 ; and

(3) meets the definition of a political party in AS 15.80.010 .

(b) The director shall verify that each political group seeking recognized political party status under (a) of this section and each recognized political party meets the definition of a political party in AS 15.80.010 .

(c) The director shall perform a verification described in (b) of this section at least once a month after the date of certification of the preceding general election, except that the director may suspend the monthly verifications on and after June 1 and before November 30 of a general election year. For purposes of (b) of this section, the director shall verify that the voters who have submitted registration forms to the division of elections are qualified under AS 15.05.010 and have declared affiliation with the political group or recognized political party for which the verification is performed.

(d) Within 10 days after a verification under (c) of this section, the director shall provide to a political group seeking recognized political party status under (a) of this section written notification when the political group has obtained recognized political party status.

(e) The director may not withdraw recognized political party status from a political group that no longer qualifies as a political party until after the first verification after a general election at which a governor was elected. The director shall notify the political group in writing of the withdrawal of recognition.