General Absentee Information
Applying for Absentee
When applying for an absentee ballot you may apply starting January 1st of each year an election is scheduled. You must sign your application. Your signature must be a handwritten signature. A typed or digital signature is not valid.
Application Deadlines
When registering to vote for the first time, your application must be postmarked or received 30 days before Election Day except during a presidential election.
During a presidential election, you may register and vote the presidential race as long as your application is received by the absentee application filing deadlines.
For additional information contact the Absentee and Petition Office.
U.S. Citizens Living Permanently Overseas
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Are you a U.S. citizen permanently residing outside the United States and do not intend to return to Alaska? Were you, or your parent or legal guardian, last domiciled in Alaska prior to leaving the United States and you, or your parent or legal guardian, did not register to vote in another jurisdiction or established a domiciled in another jurisdiction since leaving Alaska?
If so, you may register to vote as a federal voter and participate in Alaska’s federal elections.
Federal Absentee and Voter Registration Information
Federal Absentee Information
Use the Federal Absentee Ballot Application.
When registering to vote for the first time as a federal voter, provide a copy of your valid U.S. passport, card of identity and registration or other identification issued under the authority of the United States Secretary of State. Send your completed application to the Absentee and Petition Office by mail, fax or by email as an attached PDF, TIFF or JPEG file.
You may check your registration, absentee application and ballot status at My Voter Information webpage.
Military and Overseas Voter Information
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Military and overseas voters are Active Uniformed Services, Merchant Marines, Commissioned Corps Members, U.S. Citizens Living Temporarily Overseas, Spouses and Dependents.
Voting Information
When completing your absentee application:
You may check your registration, absentee application and ballot status at My Voter Information webpage.
Voter Registration
When registering to vote or updating your registration, you must provide an Alaska residence address. You may maintain your Alaska residence address as it appears on your current record or at the address that you resided at prior to leaving Alaska if you are temporarily out of state and intend to return. Active members of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marines, commissioned corps and spouses are exempt from the intent to return requirement.
For additional ways to register to vote or update your voter registration check the Voter Information page.
College Voters
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An Alaskan resident attending college within or outside of Alaska is a college voter. For voting purposes, you are considered an Alaska resident if you reside in the state and intend to remain here, or you leave with the intent to return. When registering to vote, updating your registration, or when applying for an absentee ballot while you are outside of Alaska, provide the last Alaska residence address where you lived prior to leaving.
Are you a resident of another state but attend college in Alaska?
If you are attending college in Alaska but are a resident of another state and wish to remain a resident of that state, contact the election official (external webpage) in your home state for information about voter qualifications and the procedures for voting absentee. Visit the National Association of Secretaries of State (external webpage) or the Election Assistance Commission (external webpage) for information.
Voter Information
You may check your registration, absentee application and ballot status using our My Voter Information webpage.