PRIMARY HAS BEGUN — VOTING STARTS TODAY
It’s here: The Alaska Primary Election season has started, with early voting available today and all voting ending on Aug. 21 at 8 pm.
Some 30,000 new voters have been added to the voter rolls, with about two thirds of them coming from the Permanent Fund Dividend automatic voter registration process implemented last year.
Here’s what you need to know to vote:
EARLY VOTING
Early voting starts Aug. 6, when you can go early to certain locations to cast your ballot, regardless of what district you are in. The Division of Elections sort these ballots and and assign them to their proper district.
It is also for absentee in-person, e-mail,and special-needs voting. Essentially, you can check voting off your to-do list by getting on it now.
Locations for early voting in person are here.
Out of town?You can receive a ballot through the mail if you apply by Aug. 11.
Instructions for mail-in voting are here.
Due to the threat of cyber attacks, such as the attempt on Alaska’s voting system in 2016, you won’t be able to submit an electronic ballot, although you can receive one by email. You will need to fax or mail it in.
OTHER DATES TO KNOW
- Aug. 18: Regional offices open 10 am-4 pm for early and absentee in-person and special needs voting.
- Aug. 19: Regional offices open 12 pm -4 pm for early and absentee in-person and special needs voting.
- Aug. 20, 5 pm: Deadline to receive electronic transmission absentee ballot. applications from voters requesting an electronic transmission ballot.
- Aug. 21: Election Day.
- Aug. 21: Absentee electronic transmission ballots being returned by-fax must be received by 8 pm.
- Aug. 21: Absentee ballots being returned by-mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
ABOUT THOSE BALLOTS
Alaska Democrats have an open primary, which means anyone can vote the open ballot, which includes Alaskan Independence Party and Libertarian Party candidates. This year, Alaskans choosing this ballot will be faced with an array of Democrats, non-partisan, and undeclared candidates running in the Alaska Democratic Party mrimary. Voters will see letters by their names indicating what they say they are, which may not be Democrat. They could be (U) or (N), but still running in the Democratic Party’s primary.
Only one person is running for lieutenant governor on this ballot: Debra Call, a Democrat. The Libertarians have no candidate in the lieutenant governor race.
THE REPUBLICAN BALLOT
Alaska Republicans have a closed ballot, which means only registered Republicans or those who are registered nonpartisan or undeclared can vote this ballot. A sample of what the Republican ballot shows several choices for governor and for lieutenant governor.
