Alaska General Election: Important Dates and Deadlines

Alaska’s statewide general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Residents who wish to vote absentee by mail must apply by October 24. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or received by November 3, and ballots can be dropped off at polling places until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Key Races on the 2026 Alaska Ballot

Voters in Alaska will use ranked choice voting to select:

• The next governor
• A U.S. House representative
• A U.S. Senator
• All seats in the state House
• Half of the state Senate

These elections will determine Alaska’s leadership at both state and federal levels, affecting the state legislature, governor election, and the US Senate election.

Understanding Ranked Choice Voting in Alaska

Alaska’s ranked choice voting system allows voters to rank the candidates in order of preference for every race. The four candidates who received the most votes in each primary race advance to the general election ballot. Voters may rank as many—or as few—candidates as they wish. If a candidate receives over 50% of the first-choice votes, they win outright.

If no candidate secures a majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, and ballots cast for them are redistributed based on the voter’s next choice. This elimination and redistribution process continues until a candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote. Races requiring ranked choice tabulation will have votes counted on November 18, following the election.

Ballot Measures: What Alaskans Will Decide

Two ballot measures will appear on Alaska’s 2026 general election ballot:

• Ballot Measure 2: Proposes to repeal the 2020 measure that implemented ranked choice voting and open primaries. If passed, it would return the state to a closed primary system and eliminate certain financial disclosure regulations and donation limits enacted in 2020.
• Ballot Measure 3: Would modify state law’s language to, according to supporters, clarify that only U.S. citizens who meet specific requirements are eligible to vote. The change shifts the current wording from "A person may vote at any election who is a citizen of the United States" to "Only a person who is a citizen of the United States… may vote at any election."

Voter Registration and Voting Options

Residents can check their voter registration status through the Division of Elections’ online voter portal. Those who wish to participate in absentee voting can apply online until October 24.

Early voting begins statewide on October 19. Locations and hours are listed on the Division of Elections website. On November 3, voters can cast ballots at designated polling places, which are detailed online.

If a voter’s name does not appear on the list at their polling location, they can request a questioned ballot. After Election Day, bipartisan review boards will validate these questioned ballots starting November 5.

Election Results and Certification Timeline

The Division of Elections will release the first batch of election results between 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. on November 3, with additional updates throughout the evening and following days. Updates will also be shared via social media. The certification of election results is scheduled for November 25.

The swearing-in dates are as follows:

• The new governor: December 7, 2026
• U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative: January 3, 2027
• State Legislature members: January 19, 2027

Resources for Voters

Voters looking for more information about candidates can consult the Alaska voter guide produced in partnership with Anchorage Daily News, KTOO, and the Alaska Beacon. The guide includes responses from candidates for major statewide and legislative offices.

For further questions on voting deadlines, procedures, or ballot measures, visit the Alaska Division of Elections website or contact local election officials.

Source: ktoo.org.