Voting laws in Alaska
From Ballotpedia
 |
|
Contents |
Each state has its own series of election laws. The separation of powers clause in the constitution has largely placed the responsibility for conducting on state governments. Each state has its own election law enforcement agencies, oftentimes part of the executive branch, sometimes a part of the state judiciary. The following are basic guidelines for voting in Alaska. Note: Before taking any action, or if you have any questions, contact your state election agency
Polling Place Hours:
- 8am - 8pm on Election Day for REAA / CRSA Elections
- 7am - 8pm on Election Day for Primary and General Elections
Voter Registration Information
Registration Deadlines -- 30 days before an election
Identification Required for Registration
When you register to vote in person, your identity must be verified by a driver's license, state identification card, current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license. A registration official who knows the identity of the applicant may waive the identification requirement.
When you register to vote by mail or fax, your identity must be verified either at the time you register or the first time you vote. If you want to ensure that your identity is verified at the time you register, submit a copy of one of the below:
- Current and valid photo identification
- Driver's license
- Passport
- State identification card
- Birth certificate
If you are an Alaska resident initially registering to vote from outside the State of Alaska, you must provide proof of your Alaska residency, such as a copy of your current Alaska driver's license, hunting or fishing license, student loan documents, proof of employment in Alaska, or military leave and earning statement. How to Check Registration
Contact your Regional Election Office.
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
You will need to show your signed voter ID card, or any other signed ID that will allow the election worker to verify your signature. Examples include your driver's license, military ID, Indian ID, fish and game license, state ID card, passport, or senior citizen ID card. A picture ID is not necessary. How to Find Your Polling Place
- If you know your precinct number, find your polling place.
- If you are not sure what district you are in, find your district here.
Absentee Voting
If you are unable to vote in Alaska on Election Day, you can vote absentee:
- In person (available 15 days before an election)
- By mail (deadline for applying is 10 days before an election)
- By fax (available 15 days before an election)
- By e-mail in pdf format to address akabsentee@alaska.gov (available 15 days before an election)
Absentee ballot applications are available and can be requested and turned in anytime for each calendar year. The application deadline is 10 days prior to the election. You can request a ballot for a specific election or for all elections in the year. To receive an absentee ballot by mail, you must first send an application in order for your voter registration to be verified. One you have submitted your absentee ballot, you can verify your status by using your Secretary of State's tool.
Early Voting
You may vote absentee in person 15 days before an election in many locations. Check with the Alaska Secretary of State to find Early Voting locations nearest you.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
When updating your registration information, in order for your change to be in effect for an election, your request must be received or postmarked 30 days before an election.
Information for People with Felony Convictions
A convicted felon may not register to vote unless unconditionally discharged from custody. When you are no longer on probation, a copy of your discharge papers will allow you to register.
For more information, go to the Secretary of State's website.
Prohibited Activity
- While the polls are open, an election official may not open any ballot received from a voter, or mark a ballot by folding or otherwise so as to be able to recognize it, or otherwise attempt to learn how a voter marked a ballot, or allow the same to be done by another person.
- A person commits the crime of unlawful interference with an election if the person
- induces or attempts to induce an election official to fail in the official's duty by force, threat, intimidation, or offers of reward;
- intentionally changes, attempts to change, or causes to be changed an official election document including ballots, tallies, and returns;
- intentionally delays, attempts to delay, or causes to be delayed the sending of the certificate, register, ballots, or other materials whether original or duplicate.
- is contracted or employed by the state to print or reproduce in any manner an official ballot, and the person knowingly
- personally appropriates, or gives or delivers to, or permits to be taken by anyone other than a person authorized by the director, official ballots; or
- prints or reproduces or has printed or reproduced official ballots in a form or with a content other than that prescribed by law or as directed by the director.
See also
- Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002
- State by State Provisional Ballot Laws
- State by State Voter ID Laws
- Recount laws in Alaska
- Felon vote fraud
|
|
