Dates to Remember
True or False: General elections, where statewide and national-level positions are voted on, always occur during the month of October
FALSE! General elections always occur during November.
True or False: you must be registered to vote at least 30 days before an election, except for in presidential elections.
TRUE! Same day voter registration is only allowed to vote for US President and Vice President, otherwise, you must be registered for at least 30 days prior to the election.
True or False: When voting in person, you must bring two forms of ID.
FALSE! Voters are only required to bring one form of non-photo ID to vote, such as a voter registration card, driver's license, state ID, US passport, hunting or fishing license, birth certificate, or other.
True or False: For Anchorage municipal elections, all registered voters are automatically mailed a ballot to vote from home
True! Since 2018, Anchorage has used a Vote From Home system. Ballots are automatically sent out, with no need for voters to attend in-person election centers.
True or False: In Alaskan primary elections, you can only vote for candidates from the political party you are registered with
FALSE! Alaska holds "top four primaries," meaning that all candidates are listed on the same primary ballot and voters can choose any one candidate to vote for, regardless of the voter or candidates' political party.
When mailing in an absentee ballot, it must be postmarked by this important day to be considered valid.
Election day! Additionally, it must be received no later than 10 days after an election
True or False: You must re-register to vote every year to be eligible to vote in that year's elections.
False! Once you register to vote, you remain registered to vote unless you cancel your registration. You are required to update your voter registration if your name or address changes.
True or False: language assistance is available on election day to voters who need it.
True! Translated written and oral election materials are available in Yup'ik, Cup'ig, Inupiaq/Iñupiaq, and Tagalog (varying by voting region) and many locations have bilingual election workers ready to assist.
True or False: Anchorage municipal elections use ranked choice voting.
False! The Anchorage municipality does NOT use ranked choice voting. When voting in these local elections, choose only your top choice candidate rather than ranking the candidates.
If you are an Alaskan resident who wishes to vote in Alaskan elections but attend college in another state, what type of ballot should you request?
An absentee ballot! This is also a good option for those out of state for any reason (business, vacation, military service, etc), but is available to everyone!
The application deadline for an absentee ballot is this many days before an election.
10 days!
Alaska has "automatic voter registration," meaning that when someone applies for this, they are automatically registered to vote.
Permanent Fund Dividend
When someone votes in a way other than submitting a ballot in person at a voting center, it is called absentee voting. In Alaska, who is eligible to vote absentee?
Everyone! Alaska is a no-excuses state, so anyone who wants to can vote absentee, either by mail, online, or by fax.
What month do Anchorage municipal elections take place in?
April! The next regular municipal election will take place on April 6, 2027
What type of Alaskan elections use Ranked Choice Voting?
General Elections. When voting in primary elections, only select your top choice candidate.
Tuesday, November 3rd.
At what age can you register to vote?
Up to 90 days before your 18th birthday!
30 days.
There are 3 ways to return your completed municipal election ballot. Name 2!
You can return your completed ballot at one of 18 secure drop boxes, return it to an Anchorage Vote Center, or send it back via mail through the US Postal Service
What is Ranked Choice Voting?
For a candidate to win, they must receive a majority (50% + 1) of total votes cast. If no candidate receives a majority of 1st choice votes in the 1st round of counting, more rounds of counting continue until a candidate reaches a majority.