Alaska is a No Excuse voting state. Anyone can apply to vote absentee by mail, fax, or online delivery. Applications open January 1st of every year. Anyone may vote using the early and in person voting options.
Vote Absentee In-Person or Early
Absentee In-Person voting is like voting early at your polling place. The difference is that absentee locations do not have a secure connection with the voter registration database system, which means the poll worker cannot look you up to verify your information.
Absentee Voting Locations
Search for Primary and General absentee voting location in your city.
Search for a REAA absentee voting location in your city.
What to Expect
Absentee In-Person and Early Voting locations are open for voting starting 15 days prior and through Election Day. Each location has different hours and district ballots available.
Absentee In-Person voting requires you to complete an envelope with your voted ballot and drop the envelope in a ballot box. These ballots are not scanned at the voting location and are instead reviewed by the Absentee Review Board to make sure you are eligible and that you have not already voted.
At locations that are marked as an Early Voting location, your eligibility is determined at the time you vote by verifying that the information on your voter registration record is current. If everything is correct, you will vote your ballot and insert it into scanner. If your information is not current, you will have to vote using the Absentee In-Person method.
How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
Apply using one of the following methods.
Valid Alaska Driver’s License or State ID required for this option.
Complete and sign the PDF form.
Signature must be a handwritten signature. A typed or digital signature is not valid.
Check the status of your application and ballot.
The Voter Information Tool can check registration, application, and ballot status.
Absentee Ballot Options
Vote Absentee By-Mail
Applications Deadline
Primary Election
August 10th, 2024
General Election
October 26th, 2024
When registering to vote or updating your information, application must be postmarked or received 30 days before Election Day.
Deadline to Return Voted Ballot
Primary Election
Postmarked or Received by
August 20th, 2024
General Election
Postmarked or Received by
November 5th, 2024
You must drop off your ballot by 8:00pm on Election Day if returning it to any voting location.
Delivery Dates
Ballots are mailed to:
Vote Absentee By-Online Delivery
You will need an email address and access to a computer and a printer. Your email notification of ballot availability and voting instructions will be emailed to you within 24 to 48 hours after receipt of your application.
You may request an online delivery ballot beginning 15 days prior to Election Day.
Primary Election
August 5th, 2024
General Election
October 21st, 2024
Military & Overseas Voters may apply for an electronic transmission ballot at any time during a calendar year by completing the Absentee Ballot Application. Your email notification of ballot availability will be emailed to you beginning 45 days prior to Election Day.
Application Deadline
Your completed application must be received no later than 5:00pm Alaska Standard Time the day before Election Day.
Primary Election
August 19th, 2024
General Election
November 4th, 2024
Ballots cannot be returned by email.
When you select to return your ballot by mail, you will print the foldable secrecy sleeve and return mailing envelope provided in your PDF file. You will also need to print your ballot. Fold and secure your ballot inside the secrecy sleeve. Wrap your completed Voter Certificate and Identification sheet around the outside of the secrecy sleeve with your ballot inside. Then fold and secure your certificate and ballot inside the return mailing envelope. The return ballot envelope must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Returning your ballot by mail will maintain the secrecy of your voted ballot. To ensure timely postmarks, the division recommends you have the USPS postal clerk hand cancel your ballot at the counter
When you select to return your ballot by fax, you will print the fax instructions provided in your PDF file to return your ballot by fax. The completed Voter Certificate, Identification sheet, and ballot must be received by fax on or before 8:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on Election Day. When returning a ballot by fax, you are voluntarily waiving your right to a secret ballot and are assuming the risk that a faulty transmission may occur.
Vote Absentee By-Fax
You will need access to a fax machine to receive your voting packet. These materials will be faxed to you within 24 to 48 hours after receipt of your application.
You may request a faxed ballot beginning 15 days prior to Election Day.
Primary Election
August 5th, 2024
General Election
October 21st, 2024
Military & Overseas Voters may apply for an electronic transmission ballot at any time during a calendar year by completing the Absentee Ballot Application. Ballots will be faxed to you beginning 45 days prior to Election Day.
Application Deadline
Your completed application must be received no later than 5:00pm Alaska Standard Time the day before Election Day.
Primary Election
August 19th, 2024
General Election
November 4th, 2024
Instructions
Ballots cannot be returned by email.
When returning the ballot by mail, you will be provided with instructions and address information to return your voted ballot and completed Voter Certificate and Identification sheet. The return ballot envelope must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Returning your ballot by mail will maintain the secrecy of your voted ballot. When returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day. To ensure timely postmarks, the division recommends you have the USPS postal clerk hand cancel your ballot at the counter.
When returning the ballot by fax, you will be provided with instructions and a return fax number to return your voted ballot and Voter Certificate and Identification sheet. The completed Voter Certificate, Identification sheet, and ballot must be received on or before 8:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on Election Day. When returning a ballot by fax, you are voluntarily waiving your right to a secret ballot and are assuming the risk that a faulty transmission may occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You cannot apply for an absentee ballot on someone else’s behalf unless you have a valid power of attorney which authorizes you to apply on behalf of the voter.
No. The voter must sign or make a mark. You can serve as the witness to the voter’s signature or mark.
You should destroy and dispose of your absentee ballot if you choose to vote in-person. We encourage voters to make a voting plan in advance to lower the likelihood of confusion and better prepare for their chosen method of voting.
Contact the Absentee and Petition Office at 907-270-2700 or toll free 1-877-375-6508 (within the U.S.).
No, you can select “All in Calendar Year” to receive ballots for all eligible elections.
Contact the Absentee and Petition Office at 907-270-2700, toll free 1-877-375-6508 (within in the U.S.) or email akabsentee@alaska.gov
Some voters choose to keep their residence address confidential. In order to do this, they must have a different mailing address.
If you do not select to keep your residence address confidential, there is no reason to complete Section 6 if your physical address and permanent mailing address are the same.
Contact the Absentee and Petition Office at 907-270-2700, toll free 1-877-375-6508 (within in the U.S.) or email akabsentee@alaska.gov
No, one application is all that is required.
No, you only need to complete the application if you want to receive a ballot in the mail.
You have several in-person voting options available. You may vote early at and Early Voting location or an Absentee Voting location.
You may also vote in-person at your polling place on Election Day. Polling place information: