Election Day · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
How to vote in Alaska
The deadlines, early voting, mail ballots and ID rules for Alaska, and what happens after the polls close. Every fact links to the Alaska Division of Elections or the law it comes from. Rules change, and courts sometimes change them close to an election, so confirm anything you are relying on with the state.
Checked against official sources on October 7.
Key dates
- Register online by
Sunday, October 4
30th day before the election; always a Sunday (AS 15.07.070). Regional offices open noon–4 p.m. that day.
- Register by mail by
Sunday, October 4
Postmarked or received 30 days before Election Day.
- Register in person by
Sunday, October 4
Regional offices open noon–4 p.m. on Sunday, October 4.
- Same-day registration
No
Registration closes 30 days before the election.
- Early voting
Monday, October 19 to Tuesday, November 3
15th day before the election (AS 15.20.045, 15.20.061).
- How early voting works
Each location sets its own hours and carries different district ballots. At 'Early Voting' locations the ballot is scanned on the spot; at 'Absentee In-Person' locations the ballot goes in an envelope for review. Regional offices open weekends Oct 24–25 and Oct 31–Nov 1.
- Request a mail ballot by
Saturday, October 24
By-mail applications must be received by October 24 (10th day before, AS 15.20.081(b)). Online-delivery or fax ballot applications are due by 5 p.m. Alaska time on November 2.
- Return your mail ballot by
Tuesday, November 3
Postmarked by Election Day and received by November 13 if mailed within the U.S. and territories; by November 18 if mailed from overseas (AS 15.20.081(e),(h)). Ballots dropped off at a voting location must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Fax returns by 8 p.m. Alaska time.
- Election Day polling hours
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Anyone in line at closing time may vote (AS 15.15.320).
Voting by mail
- Who can vote by mail
Any voter can vote by mail
Any voter may apply. The return envelope needs a witness (18+) signature and one identifier.
- Ballots arriving after Election Day
Yes
Ballots postmarked by November 3 count if received by November 13 (U.S. and territories) or November 18 (overseas). Questioned-ballot review begins November 5. Ranked-choice tabulation runs after all ballots are in, so many races are not final on election night.
ID at the polls
- The rule
ID requested (photo not needed)
AS 15.15.225 accepts photo or non-photo ID, including a voter card, utility bill or bank statement. An official who knows the voter may waive ID (not for some first-time mail registrants). Without ID, the voter casts a questioned ballot.
- What to bring
Show one ID: voter card, driver's license, state ID, passport, hunting or fishing license, or a current bill, bank statement, paycheck or government document with your name and address. Without ID you can vote a questioned ballot.
When will we know results in Alaska?
How fast results come in depends mostly on when the polls close and when election officials are allowed to start on mail ballots. Totals shown on election night are unofficial until the state certifies them.
- Last polls close
8 p.m. local time (the state spans Alaska and Hawaii–Aleutian time) — 1 a.m. Eastern on November 4
8 p.m. local time. The westernmost Aleutian communities (e.g. Adak) are on Hawaii-Aleutian time, so they close an hour after the rest of the state.
- Mail ballots can be processed from
Tuesday, October 27
Review of absentee voter certificates must begin no less than 7 days before the election (AS 15.20.201(a)); the 2026 calendar gives October 27 as the latest start.
- Mail ballots can be counted from
Tuesday, November 3
Reviewed absentee ballots may not be counted before 8:00 p.m. local time on Election Day.
- Counties finish their count by
Wednesday, November 18
Alaska has no counties. Regional boards finish the absentee and questioned count by November 18; the State Review Board begins November 19.
- State certifies results
Wednesday, November 25
Target date, not a fixed statutory date (AS 15.15.450).
- Automatic recount
Tie only
The director initiates a recount only for a tie vote.
- Requested recount
A defeated candidate or 10 qualified voters may apply within 5 days after the state review (3 days for governor/lieutenant governor). Deposit: $1,000 per precinct, $2,000 per house district, $15,000 statewide — waived and paid by the state if the margin is 20 votes or fewer or under 0.5%.
2026 calendar puts the application deadline at Nov 28 (governor) and Nov 30 (others), if certification is on time.
- Runoff
No runoff — the candidate with the most votes wins
General elections use ranked-choice tabulation instead of a runoff.
- Ranked-choice voting
Yes
'All general elections shall be conducted by ranked-choice voting' (AS 15.15.350(c)). Applies to U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor/lieutenant governor and legislative races; ballot measures are yes/no.
- Votes needed to pass a ballot measure
A simple majority
Simple majority of votes cast on the proposition, for both initiatives and constitutional amendments.
- New governor takes office
Monday, December 7
First Monday in December at noon (Alaska Constitution Art. III, § 4).
What’s on your ballot
Every contest you will vote on, from Congress to school board, with each candidate’s positions and record and the arguments for and against them.
Confirm this with the official source
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Alaska Division of Elections.