Absentee voting is available and no excuse is required. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 10 days before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through mail, in person at your local elections office, or online (if you have a valid Alaska driver’s license or state ID card). Voted ballots must be postmarked by Election Day in order to be counted. You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Division of Elections website. 

Those who requested an absentee ballot but end up voting in person may be able to. Do not mail a ballot and vote in person. Voters should destroy and dispose of their absentee ballot if they end up voting in-person. Voters should contact the Alaska Absentee and Petition Office to determine their options. Find their contact information here.

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)
• Online (available 15 days before an election)
• By personal representative (available 15 days before an election)

Absentee ballot applications are available anytime for each calendar year. The application deadline is 10 days before the election. You can request a ballot for a one election or for all elections in the year.

Apply early to receive your ballot in time. Regular absentee ballots are mailed about one to two weeks before an election. If your absentee ballot is to be sent to a remote area of Alaska, you may request a special advance ballot on this site. A special advance ballot will be mailed 45 days before the election.

Your voted ballot must be witnessed and signed in order to be accepted.

Absentee Voting by fax should be your last alternative to casting your ballot. By using this method to return your voted ballot, you need to be aware that you are voluntarily waiving your right to a secret ballot. You must apply separately for each election. You must submit your request no later than 5:00 pm the day before Election Day. If you are returning your ballot by fax, it must be voted, witnessed and received by the appropriate fax in the absentee voting office by 8:00 pm on Election Day.

If you are a qualified voter who is disabled, you may apply for an absentee ballot through a personal representative who can bring the ballot to you. A personal representative can be anyone over 18, except a candidate for office in the election, your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union. Ballots are available 15 days before the primary, general or statewide special election at any regional elections office.

The personal representative brings the completed application to an election official for a ballot and takes the ballot to you. You complete a certificate authorizing the personal representative to carry your ballot, vote the ballot privately, place it in a secrecy sleeve and seal it inside the envelope provided. The personal representative brings the voted ballot back to the election official by 8:00 pm on Election Day.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.