We encourage all Alaskans to VOTE! vote early and safely
There are several ways to vote early and safely – the earlier the better (it’s quicker, safer, convenient, etc.) 1. Vote early in person at an early voting location 2. Vote early on Election Day 3. Vote early by mail by applying for an absentee ballot by mail 4. Vote early electronically by applying for an online absentee ballot by fax or email
1. Vote early in person at an early voting location
- Early in-person voting sites open up on Oct 19 and remain open through Election Day (except Cook Inlet Tribal) - If you vote an in-person ballot at an early voting site on or before Oct 29 your vote will be counted on 11/3. After 10/29 (10/30 – 11/3) it will be counted seven days after Election Day (on 11/3 go to your polling site to vote). - For other locations, dates, hours go to https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/AIPEVEvents.php
If someone has applied for absentee, but wants to vote in person: 1. Anyone who applied for an absentee ballot, and NOT yet voted, can go vote in-person at an early voting site or at their poll on Election Day. 2. You do NOT need to bring your absentee ballot with you to vote in person. Just destroy it, rip it up, burn it, etc. 3. You are NOT required to “cancel” your absentee ballot request, there is no deadline and there is no requirement to cancel. You can contact the Absentee Election Office to let them know if you want. 4. Voter precinct registers will NOT have a notation that someone applied for an absentee ballot (like the primaries). 5. No matter what, do NOT vote twice. If you already mailed back your absentee ballot DO NOT vote in person. 6. Make sure you get and ask for an in-person ballot (not an “in-person absentee” ballot or question ballot).
Anchorage Early Voting Site Oct 19 – Nov 3
Anchorage City Hall - 632 W 6th Avenue - Mon – Fri, 8am - 5pm Midtown Mall (Sears Mall) - 600 E Northern Lights Blvd - Mon – Fri , 8am - 5pm - Sat, 10am - 4pm - Sun, 12pm - 4pm On 11/2 a site opens up at UUA Student Hall and on 11/3 a site opens up at the airport Tuesday, Election Day 7am - 8pm
3. Vote early by mail by applying for an absentee ballot by mail
- Anyone can vote by mail by applying for an absentee ballot - The deadline to apply is Oct 24 -All absentee ballots are counted after the Election Day.
To apply: Call the State Election Absentee Office to request an application, go online and print application, or apply online (must have AK Driver’s License or State ID to apply online)
-Absentee ballots can be returned by mail, by fax, by drop box or drop off at early voting site, Election Office, or any polling site on Nov 3.
-Anyone can confirm and track their absentee ballot request – when it was sent to you and when it was ‘logged in’ as returned by going to My Voter Information or call the Election Absentee Office (907) 270-2700
-You can still vote in person even if you applied for an absentee ballot, see above. Once mailed, do not vote again.
4. Vote early electronically by applying for a ballot by fax or email
- Anyone can request a ballot by electronic means by applying for an absentee ballot by fax or email
- This option is available starting 0ct 19 and the deadline to apply is by 5pm on Nov 2
- All absentee ballots are counted after the Election Day.
- To apply: Call Absentee Election office to request an application or go online to apply online - Election Absentee Office (907) 270-2700 / 2525 Gambell St, Suite 105 https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/votingbyonline.php
- Ballots may be returned by mail, fax, drop box or off at early voting site/election office, or at any voting site
- All ballots returned by fax must be received by on or before 8pm on Election Day, Nov 3.
How to have your absentee ballot counted, not rejected
Once you filled in the ovals on the ballot
1. Put the ballot into the gray ‘secrecy’ sleeve (do not sign the gray secrecy sleeve) 2. Put gray sleeve into return mailing envelope AND put one 1st class or forever stamp on return mail envelope 3. Sign the return mailing envelope AND add one identifier (AK Drive License, birthday, last 4 of SSN, etc.) 4. Have a witness also sign the return mailing envelope. ANYONE over 18 can be your witness 5. The return envelope must have: your signature, your one identifier, a stamp and your witness’ signature!!! 6. Mail your ballot ASAP. Track your ballot at My Voter Information - https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/
Any questions: call the State Absentee Election at (907) 270 – 2700 or email: akabsentee@alaska.gov
key dates:
Oct 4 Last day to register/update voter info is/was*
Oct 1 (a week early) Absentee ballots have already started being sent out
Oct 19 Early in-person voting starts
Oct 24 Last day to apply for “by mail” absentee ballot [Note: last day to register to vote for President only]
Oct 29 (City Hall, Sears Mall, Cook Inlet Tribal) If you want your ballot counted by 11/3, vote in-person
Nov 2 Last day to apply for “by electronic” absentee ballot
Nov 3 Polls open / Election Day
IMPORTANT: * Even if voter data is not up to date you can still vote a question ballot & you can register to vote for President
