Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

July 1, 2020

Absentee Ballot Applications

Alaska has maintained safe and secure absentee voting procedures since statehood. Many citizens prefer casting their ballots from home. In Anchorage, we have seen increased voter participation in our vote-by-mail municipal elections. With the public health concerns related to COVID-19, many Alaskans may prefer to vote without going to their local polling place.

We encourage anyone who wants to vote by absentee ballot to request the ballot early to make sure we avoid some of the problems experienced in other states. For information on the absentee ballot, visit the Division of Elections website at: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/votingbymail.php.

Apply Online (paperless)

The process to vote by mail in Alaska is now a little easier. Recently, the Alaska Division of Elections opened up an online portal that allows Alaskans to request an absentee ballot for this year's elections. This year, voters can apply for an absentee ballot online by following a few simple steps:

1. Log on to the Division of Elections' Online Absentee Ballot Application System website. You'll need a valid Alaska driver's license or ID card to complete your online application. If you don't have either of those documents, you can request a paper application. You can also register to vote or update your voter registration.

2. Select which election ballot you'd like to receive in the mail. You can request both a primary and general election ballot at the same time.

3. Select your ballot. In the primary, there are two options, and your choice may depend on your political affiliation.

The Republican Party ballot is open to registered Republicans, nonpartisan and undeclared voters.
The Alaska Democratic Party and Alaskan Independence Party ballot is open to all registered voters.

Apply By Mail

Voters may also apply by completing and submitting the printable application form and mailing it in. Once completed and signed, you can return the form to the Division of Elections by fax, email or by mail. You'll want to be sure to supply the address where you currently receive mail, as ballots cannot be forwarded.

Please keep in mind that you can request an absentee ballot for one or more elections:

This year’s Primary Election (August)
This year’s General Election (November)
For all of this year’s elections by selecting “All in Calendar Year” on line 1

After completing and signing the application, please return to:

Division of Elections Absentee and Petition Office

2525 Gambell Street, Suite 105

Anchorage, AK 99503

You can contact the Alaska Division of Elections Absentee and Petition Office for assistance by calling 907-270-2700 or emailing akabsentee@alaska.gov.

You can track the status of your absentee application at myvoterinformation.alaska.gov.

2020 Summer of Heroes Program

Calling all youth heroes! Alaska Communications seeks nominations for its annual Summer of Heroes scholarship program with Boys & Girls Clubs - Alaska. People can nominate Alaska youth, ages 6-18, who are making a difference in their communities. The five heroes, plus one from the Employee Program, will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship and earn special recognition in their local community. Now in its 10th year, this community program aims to promote awareness and support for youth development programs throughout the state.

Nominate your hero by visiting: www.AlaskaCommunications.com/SummerofHeroes. Nominations are due August 14.

Rent and Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program

As we mentioned in our June 17 e-newsletter, if you or someone you know has been financially affected by COVID-19 and need help paying your rent or mortgage, call 2-1-1 (dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221) to apply for the Municipality's Rent and Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program.