Alaska Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-in Deadlines

General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Alaska you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be at least 18 years old within 90 days of completing this registration
• be a resident of Alaska
• not be a convicted felon (unless unconditionally discharged)
• not be registered to vote in another State

How to register to vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address on the form. For faster processing, you can mail the form directly to the Regional Elections Office closest to your Alaska residence. 
• Recommended: You can register to vote and request your absentee ballot at the same time by completing Alaska's By-Mail Ballot Application.
• You can also download and complete Alaska's voter registration form.  Mail the completed form to the Regional Elections Office closest to your Alaska residence.

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you're registering to vote in Alaska for the first time, and you register by mail or fax, then you must include copy of your ID.  If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable forms of ID include: driver's license, state identification card, military ID card, any other current and valid photo ID, birth certificate, US passport, or Alaska hunting or fishing license; OR an original or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.  Your ID must show your name and Alaska address. 

If you are registering from outside the state of Alaska, you must provide proof of Alaska residency.  You can provide a current copy of your Alaska driver's license, Alaska hunting or fishing license, student loan or college tuition documents showing Alaska as your state of residence, proof of employment in Alaska, or military leave and earnings statement that identifies Alaska as the state of legal residence.  Proof of your Alaska residency must be in your own name.  If you do not provide proof of Alaska residency, your application will not be processed.  

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can verify your voter registration here.   

Absentee Voting

Absentee ballot rules:

Good news! Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in Alaska.

How to apply for your absentee ballot:

You can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the same time using Alaska's By-Mail Ballot Application  If you want the ballot mailed to you, be sure to include your mailing address in the space provided.  If you're away at college, temporarily outside the county, or physically disabled, an individual may apply for an absentee ballot on your behalf if that individual is designated to act on your behalf in a written general power of attorney or a written special power of attorney that authorizes the individual to apply for an absentee ballot on your behalf.  When submitting a request on your behalf, the individual must provide a copy of the general power or attorney or special power of attorney with the application.  

Mail, fax, email, or hand-deliver your completed absentee application to the Division of Elections/Absentee Voting Office in Anchorage (address below).  Your absentee ballot application must be received by 10 days before an election.

Absentee & Petition Office
619 E. Ship Creek Ave., Suite 329
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-1677
FAX: (907) 677-9943
E-mail: akabsentee@alaska.gov

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you have already voted at least once in Alaska.  If you are voting for the first time in Alaska, and you forgot to include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form, you must include a copy of your ID with your absentee ballot application.

Acceptable forms of ID include: driver's license, state identification card, military ID card, any other current and valid photo ID, birth certificate, US passport, or Alaska hunting or fishing license; OR an original or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.  Your ID must show your name and Alaska address. 

Absentee voting by fax:

Alaska allows residents to vote absentee by fax. If you choose this option, you are voluntarily waiving your right to a secret ballot.  You can apply for an absentee by fax ballot 15 days before the election until 5pm the day before an election.  The 2008 General Election by Fax Ballot Application will not be available online until mid-October 2008.  (You can check the Division of Election's website to see if it's available.)  Mail, fax or email (in pdf format) your completed application to:

Division of Elections
Absentee & Petition Office
619 E. Ship Creek Ave., Suite 329
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-1677
Fax: 907-677-9943
Email: akabsentee@alaska.gov

Absentee voting by mail:

You will be sent a ballot and a return envelope. Fill out the ballot and make sure to sign the return envelope where indicated. You also must include an "identifier" such as your voter number (if you know it), date of birth, Alaska driver's license number, or last 4 digits of your social security number. Then have the envelope signed by a "witness"- either a notoray or anyone over the age of 18.  Then put a stamp on it, mail your ballot back to the address listed on the return envelope.  But be sure to meet Alaska's ballot return deadline or your ballot won't be counted.

In person absentee voting (aka early voting):

Beginning on October 20, 2008 through Election Day you may vote absentee in person at many locations throughout the State of Alaska.  To determine the days, times and a location nearest you at the Alaska's Absentee Voting Locations Directory.

State Contact Information